“Good.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The plan was going to go forward regardless of Mia’s blessing, but it’ll be easier like this. A war on one front instead of two. “I’ll?—”
“But I’m coming with you.”
I drop her hands. “That’s out of the question,” I growl.
“Why?”
I can think of a million reasons just off the top of my head.
You’ll be at risk. You’ll get hurt. You’re pregnant. You’re not trained.
You’remine.
I won’t put you in danger ever again.
“You know why,” I grit instead, knuckles white.
Mia’s expression softens. Fondness floods it—no,love. Pure, selfless love, the kind no other person on the planet is capable of.
“I understand,” she says. “But you have to understand, too. I’m a trained medical professional. I can’t leave you, I won’t leave you, and I see no reason to leave you. Not when you’ll need someone like me on the field with you.”
“‘Someone like you’ doesn’t have to be you.”
“It does.” She steps closer, grabs my hands again. “Because I care. I’m not going to leave your safety in the hands of some underground mafia doctor who might just be in it for a quick payday.”
“No.” I shake my head firmly. “I’m not risking your life.”
“And I’m not risking yours.” She’s unflinching—a force of nature in a maternity dress. “So, if you won’t do it for me… then do it for them.” She puts my hand on her belly and holds it there.
It nearly undoes me. The warmth of my child growing there, the reminder of all I’ve got to lose.
“I am doing it for them,” I insist. “I’m doing it for both of you.”
But Mia shakes her head. “I’ve already had one baby growing up without a father, Yulian. I won’t do it to this one, too.”
“What about Eli?” It’s a last-ditch effort. “He still needs you.”
“He does.” Her smile turns bittersweet. “But he needs you, too. And I’m not costing him another father.”
I want to start fucking yelling. Want to lock Mia up in this penthouse and never let her out again, not until Desya is dust under my feet.
But I can’t.
Because she’s already made her choice.
“Do what you want,” I mutter, then stalk out onto the balcony.
Her warmth lingers on my hands long after I’ve let her go.
33
MIA
I hadn’t missed the Goldenrod. The underground casino part is new to me, but it must not be new to the Lozhkin Bratva. My party strides inside like it owns the place—which it likely does—while I’m left fumbling for my step in the dim half-light.
I hadn’t missed Yulian’s attitude, either.
He’s walking one step ahead of me, not gracing me with a single glance. Any other day, I’d be yelling in his face.
