"It's absolutely my business. If you've knocked up the leverage, you've just complicated this entire operation exponentially."
"She's not just leverage anymore," I bite out.
"Then what is she?"
I look at Ava. At this brave, stubborn woman who just stood up to one of the most dangerous men in Vegas to defend our... whatever this is.
"She's mine," I say simply. "My woman. My responsibility. And if she's carrying my child, that only makes it more permanent."
"Jesus Christ." Dariy runs a hand through his hair. "You really have lost it."
"Maybe." I don't deny it. "But I'm not giving her up. Not to you, not to anyone. So we can either figure out how to work together, or you can find someone else to hunt her father. There are plenty of Bratva soldiers who could work on this. Dariy and Yakov would be just as effective."
Adrik is silent for a long moment, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he considers my words. Then he sighs.
"You're putting me in an impossible position, Renat."
"I know."
"Fine," he says with a sigh. "Keep her. But there are conditions."
My body tenses. "What conditions?"
"First, you still complete the mission. You find her father. You eliminate him. No mercy, no delays."
I nod. That was always the plan.
"Second, she stays with you at all times. I don't want her out and about while the men of the families who were killed because of her father are still hunting for blood. Literally her blood Renat.” He thrusts his hands through his hair, the only outward sign of him despairing at the situation. “She's your responsibility entirely. If she becomes a liability, if she leaks information, if she causes any problems, it's on you and you will both pay."
"Understood."
"Third." He leans forward. "When this is over, when her father is dead and the debt is paid, you marry her. Properly. Make it legal in the eyes of the state, the country, the Bratva and the fucking church. Make it binding. If you're going to claim her as yours, make it official. Give the Bratva a reason to accept her."
"Agreed," I say without hesitation.
Ava makes a small sound beside me. I don't look at her. Can't risk seeing doubt or fear in her eyes.
"Then we're done here." Adrik waves a dismissive hand. "Get her out of my office. And Renat?"
"Yes?"
"I hope she's worth it. Because you've just bet everything on her. Your position in this family. Your future. Everything."
I finally look at Ava. At her wide blue eyes and trembling lips. At the woman who chose me despite having every reason not to.
"She is," I say. "She's worth everything."
We leave Adrik's office in silence. The elevator ride back to my suite feels like it takes hours. Ava doesn't speak, doesn't look at me, just stands rigid at my side.
It's not until we're back in the suite that she finally breaks.
"Marriage?" Her voice is high, shaking. "You agreed to marry me?"
"Yes."
"You can't just— We can't— This is insane!"
"You're right." I keep my eyes on her, enjoying the way her face is flushed with shock and confusion. "It's completely insane. But it’s the way things are done in my world. You’ll get used to it."
