I watch him as he talks, noting the way his posture shifts, becoming more commanding, more authoritative.
This is the pakhan, the man who built an empire through intelligence and ruthlessness. This is who he really is, and I’ve been asking him to suppress that part of himself.
The conversation is brief, but I can tell from Mikhail’s expression that it’s not good news.
When he ends the call, he stands there for a moment, his back to me, his shoulders tense.
“What is it?” I ask.
He turns, and I see the worry in his eyes. “Nothing I can’t handle. Don’t worry about it.”
“Mikhail.” I use the tone that tells him I’m not accepting that answer. “We just agreed. No more protecting me from the truth.”
He sighs and returns to the bed, sitting close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. “Two of my lieutenants are pushing back against Tony’s authority. They don’t think he’s earned the position of enforcer, and they’re using my absence to undermine him.”
“What happens if they succeed?”
“Then the organization fractures. Different factions form, each one trying to grab power. And in the chaos, our enemies move in.” He meets my gaze. “It could mean war, Sophia. Real war, with bodies in the streets and innocent people caught in the crossfire.”
The image makes my stomach turn. This is what I’ve been trying to avoid, the violence I don’t want our child exposed to. But I’m beginning to realize that my attempts to escape it have only made it more likely to happen.
“You need to go,” I say quietly. “You need to handle this before it gets worse.”
“I’m not leaving you.” His voice is firm. “The doctor said complete bed rest. No stress. If I leave now, you’ll worry, and that’s not good for you or the baby.”
“I’ll worry more if your organization falls apart because you’re here holding my hand.” I squeeze his fingers. “I’m not asking you to choose, Mikhail. I’m telling you to do what needs to be done. I’ll be fine. Elena is here, and the doctor is on call. Go take care of your business. Just…come back to me. Before I fall asleep this time.”
He searches my face, looking for signs that I’m just saying what he wants to hear.
But I mean it.
I’m tired of being the reason he can’t do what he needs to do.
Tired of my fear making everything worse.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
“I’m sure.” I pull him down for a kiss, pouring all my love and understanding into it. “Go be the pakhan. Show them why they should fear you. And then come home to me.”
He kisses me again, deeper this time, and I feel the gratitude and relief in the way his lips move against mine.
When he pulls back, there’s a new determination in his eyes.
“I love you,” he says. “Both of you.”
“I love you too.” I touch his face, memorizing the feel of his stubble against my palm. “Now go. Before I change my mind.” The smile I give him softens the words, showing him I’m teasing about changing my mind.
He stands, already opening his contacts to make calls. I watch him transform before my eyes, the worried husband becoming the commanding leader.
This is who he needs to be, and I need to find a way to accept that.
After he leaves, the room feels emptier, quieter. I lie back against the pillows, my hand on my stomach, feeling the flutter of movement that tells me our baby is awake.
“Your father is complicated,” I whisper to the tiny life inside me. “But he’s trying. We both are.”
I must doze off because I wake to the sound of voices in the hallway. Male voices, low and urgent. I glance at the clock. It’s been two hours since Mikhail left. He must be back.
But as I listen more carefully, I realize it’s not Mikhail’s voice. It’s two of his men, and they’re standing just outside our bedroom door.
