“That’s fine. I’ll wait in his office.” I’m already moving past her desk.
The hallway to Mikhail’s private office is lined with photos of completed construction projects.
Buildings and bridges and developments that bear his company’s name.
Evidence of the legitimate empire he’s trying to build.
His office door is slightly ajar, and I hear his voice before I see him.
Deep and commanding, with an edge of frustration that makes me pause.
“I don’t care what it takes,” he’s saying. “The problem needs to be eliminated. Permanently.”
My hand freezes on the door handle.
Eliminated.
Permanently.
I step back from the door, my heart hammering against my ribs.
This is what I was afraid of.
He’s still the same man.
Still solving problems with brutality and death.
I should leave, go back to the compound and pretend I never came here.
But I can’t move, can’t tear myself away from the door and the man on the other side of it who’s planning someone’s murder while I stand here carrying his child.
My hand moves to my stomach, protective and instinctive.
What kind of father will he be if this is who he really is?
What kind of life am I bringing my baby into?
The office door swings open suddenly, and Mikhail stands there, his green eyes widening with shock when he sees me.
His phone is still pressed to his ear, and I watch as understanding dawns on his face.
He knows I heard everything.
“I’ll call you back,” he says into the phone, his gaze never leaving mine.
He ends the call and steps into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
We stand there, frozen, the truth hanging between us like a blade.
“Sophia.” My name is a question and a warning all at once. “What are you doing here?”
42
MIKHAIL
The moment I see Sophia standing in my office hallway, my world tilts on its axis.
Relief and fury war in my chest, each emotion so intense I can barely breathe.
