He takes another swig of whiskey and exhales a heavy sigh. “You’ve put me into a difficult position, little sister.”
I don’t dare ask him how. I remain silent. It’s safer not to irritate him. He has a short fuse, and I don’t want to be on the other end of his anger.
“All along, have I not told you I want to protect you?” Mikhail asks.
“Yes, I don’t understand.” What is he getting at?
“You told me when the father of the twins returned from war, you intended to marry him. I suppose that was a lie to bide your time, keep you from marrying a man of my choosing.”
“I don’t have any intention of marrying Antonio,” I say. “Nor will I marry one of your bratva brothers.”
“The decision of whom you will marry isn’t your choice, Aleksandra. Father entrusted me to choose your suitor, a man who will protect you.”
“And you honestly believe a Russian is capable of protecting me?” I laugh at the absurdity of his suggestion. “You’d sooner marry me off to one of your men than let me live freely under your roof.”
“That’s enough!” he bellows.
He’s won my silence.
My mouth shuts, and I take a step back toward the door. “Am I excused?” I know better than to leave until I’ve been given permission. I’m lucky Mikhail hasn’t berated me for sneaking out with his men this evening.
He offers the flick of his wrist for me to leave.
I don’t ask twice. I hurry out of the study and to the playroom to check on the twins.
Antonio is right. Living among the bratva isn’t good for Liam or Sophia. But what other choice do I have? Mikhail forbids me from working and leaving the twins, aside from the couple of hours they spend at preschool per week.
Where would I go?
Antonio is Italian Mafia, my sworn enemy. I can’t exactly show up at his front door asking for help, nor would I want to admit to him that he’s the father of my children.
That would be like setting off a nuclear device.
I don’t have enough money saved to provide for the twins and myself, let alone afford a roof over our heads in New York City. Property is expensive. Apartment buildings are outrageous.
I exhale a heavy sigh and fold my arms across my chest, staring at Sophia and Liam as they play house together. It’s any wonder Liam isn’t scarred from today’s events.
A child shouldn’t be kidnapped and then practically unfazed by his surroundings when he returns after enduring whatever happened.
I approach Liam, bending down to the twin’s level. “How are you doing?” I ask, my question pointed at Liam, but I’m also concerned about Sophia. She witnessed her brother’s abduction.
That couldn’t have been easy to see or process.
Liam glances up at me, his bright blue eyes wide, his lashes fluttering as he stares. “I don’t like the dark.”
I pull him into my embrace for a hug. “I know, babe.” I assume he’s referring to the darkened office and how he had to hide under the desk at Antonio’s feet. Why was Antonio protecting Liam?
My head aches, and my neck is sore, making my stomach tumble. At least being inside the compound, the twins are safe. I don’t need to worry about their well-being.
But what about mine?
“Aleksandra,” Luka says, announcing his presence at the door of the playroom.
I glance over my shoulder, my arms folded across my chest. “Yes?”
“You should know Mikhail has gone behind your back.” Luka keeps his voice low, careful not to be overheard. He’s one of the most loyal guards, and while his allegiance is to Mikhail, we’ve grown close over the years while he’s been entrusted as my bodyguard.
I had assumed at some point that Mikhail would demand Luka to marry me, but that day hadn’t come. A small part of me is relieved. He’s a decent guy for a member of the bratva, but he’s not exactly my type.