I glance at Dimitri, and he nods, giving me permission to share our news. I take a deep breath. "Katya, you're going to be an aunt."
For a moment, she just stares at us, her expression blank. Then understanding dawns, and her face transforms. "You're pregnant? You're having a baby?"
"Yes." I can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "I just found out this morning."
Katya launches herself at us, tears streaming down her face as she hugs us both. "Oh my God, oh my God! This is amazing! I'm going to be an aunt!" She pulls back, her hands on my shoulders. "How far along are you? When are you due? Do you know if it's a boy or girl?"
I laugh at her rapid-fire questions. "I don't know any of that yet. It's very early."
She turns to Dimitri, and I see her hesitate for just a moment. She's still getting used to him, still learning to trust the man who's so different from our father. But then she throws her arms around his neck, and I watch his face soften in surprise.
"Thank you," she whispers. "For saving Alina. For saving me. For giving us a real family."
Dimitri's arms come up to return the embrace, awkward at first, then more confident. "You're welcome, Katya. You're part of this family now. Both of you. And I protect what's mine."
The possessiveness in his voice should bother me, but it doesn't. Because I know what he means. We're not possessions to him. We're precious. Valued. Loved.
Katya pulls back, wiping her eyes. "Can I tell people? My friends at school? They're going to be so excited!"
"Not yet," Dimitri says gently. "It's still very early, and we need to be careful. The fewer people who know, the safer Alina and the baby will be."
Katya's face falls slightly, but she nods. "I understand. But can I at least help plan the nursery? Pick out baby clothes? I want to be involved."
"Of course." I reach out and squeeze her hand. "You're going to be the best aunt ever."
We spend the next hour talking about the future, about names and nursery colors and all the mundane, wonderful details of bringing a new life into the world. It's the first conversation we've had that isn't overshadowed by violence or fear or grief. It's just us, a family, planning for something beautiful.
Dimitri mostly listens, his hand never leaving mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. But I catch him smiling at Katya's enthusiasm, at her suggestions for baby names that range from traditional Russian to completely absurd. When she suggests "Dragonfly" if it's a girl, referencing my wrist tattoo, even Dimitri laughs.
"We'll take it under consideration," he says diplomatically.
The moment is so perfect, so normal, that I almost forget about the world outside these walls. Almost forget about the Bratva families and the power struggles and the enemies who will always be circling. Almost.
But then Alexei appears in the doorway, his expression apologetic but urgent.
"Pakhan," he says quietly. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation."
Dimitri's hand tightens on mine. "What now?"
"The neutral families." Alexei steps into the room, his tablet in hand. "They've been calling all evening. They want to meet with you. Immediately."
"About what?" But I can see from Dimitri's face that he already knows.
"About restructuring the entire organization." Alexei pulls up something on his tablet and shows it to Dimitri. "With Mikhail dead and the evidence of his manipulation revealed, they want to discuss the future of the Bratva. They're calling for an emergency council meeting. Tomorrow night."
Dimitri's jaw clenches, and I feel the tension radiating through his body. This is it. The moment that will determine whether our vision for a new Bratva can become reality or whether the old guard will reassert control.
"Tell them I'll be there," he says finally. "But on my terms. At a neutral location, with full security protocols."
Alexei nods and leaves to make the arrangements. The room falls silent, the joy of moments ago replaced by the weight of what's coming.
Katya looks between us, her earlier excitement dimmed. "What does this mean?"
"It means," Dimitri says slowly, "that everything changes. Again."
44
DIMITRI
