Page 113 of The Pakhans’ Curvy Prize

The private suite we designed for the four of us takes up the entire east wing. I open the double doors and step aside, letting Marla enter first. She stops just inside the doorway, her hand flying to her mouth.

The bedroom is sprawling, easily three times the size of her old cottage. A massive bed sits against the far wall, custom-made to accommodate all four of us comfortably.

Two fireplaces flank either side of the room, already lit and crackling softly. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the back wall, offering views of the woods beyond the property.

Heavy curtains frame the glass in deep burgundy fabric that matches the bedding.

But what makes Marla's breath catch is the attached nursery.

The door stands open, revealing a room painted in soft cream with hand-carved furniture and a rocking chair positioned near the window.

Shelves line one wall, already stocked with books and toys. A mobile hangs above the crib, delicate stars and moons rotating slowly.

"There's a private terrace too," I say, gesturing toward the glass doors on the opposite side of the bedroom. "Overlooks the gardens."

Marla turns to look at me, tears shining in her eyes. "Nick, this is too much."

"It's not enough," I correct her.

Sharon wanders through the space, opening doors and peeking into the attached bathroom, which features a soaking tub large enough for multiple people and a shower with multiple heads. "There's a whole sitting room over here," she calls out. "And a walk-in closet the size of my old apartment."

Marla walks slowly to the windows, her hand resting on her rounded belly. She stares out at the woods, her expression unreadable.

"Where will you stay?" she asks quietly without turning around.

I move to stand behind her, close enough that she can feel my presence but not touching. "Here," I say simply. "Whenever we're not in our own houses handling business."

She turns to face me, confusion clear on her face. "All of you?"

"All of us," I confirm. "This suite belongs to the four of us. We designed it that way on purpose."

Her eyes search mine, looking for something I'm not sure she'll find. "And when you need privacy?"

"Then we go to our own houses," I say. "But this is home base. This is where we come together."

The moment stretches between us, heavy with implications and unspoken promises. I watch emotions flicker across her face too quickly to identify individually.

The sound of heels clicking sharply against marble shatters the peace. I turn toward the doorway just as Arina appears, her face twisted with fury. She's wearing a black dress that probably cost a fortune and heels sharp enough to be weapons. Her dark hair is pulled back severely, emphasizing the anger in her eyes.

"So it's true," she says, her voice cold and cutting.

Fuck. "Arina," I say evenly. "What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here?" She laughs, the sound bitter and harsh. "I just learned the merger is complete. Officially signed and sealed. Do you have any idea what that means for me, Nikita?"

I cross my arms over my chest, positioning myself between her and Marla. "It means nothing to you."

Her voice rises. "You destroyed my plans. I was supposed to take over your organization eventually. Everyone knew it. But now there's no organization to take over because you've merged everything into one unified mess."

"It's not a mess," I say coldly. "It's strategic consolidation that makes us all stronger." I don't add that it would be a cold day in hell before anyone in the family turned the reins over to her, even if something happened to me.

Her gaze shifts past me to Marla, who's standing frozen near the windows. Arina's eyes drop to Marla's pregnant belly, and something ugly crosses her face.

"The rumors are true then," she says slowly. "You're actually sharing a woman. All three of you."

"That's none of your concern," I say.

"None of my concern?" Arina's laugh is sharp enough to cut. She looks at Alex, who's appeared in the doorway behind her. "Why would you share a woman instead of choosing me? We would have been perfect together. Powerful. Unstoppable."