Massimo stands and places a firm hand on his shoulder. “Back down, Axel.”
He looks irritated at being told what to do, but he does take a step away. “I hate the fucking Russians,” he murmurs.
If he thinks he can offend me with his childish, petty whining, then he’ll be sorely disappointed. “Send Budimir details of the meeting and we’ll be there,” I say, ignoring the sulking MC leader.
Massimo nods once and then holds out his hand. “Deal.”
I look at it skeptically, not really wanting to touch him. Old habits die hard, and although touching Eliza come naturally, I still don’t exactly like shaking hands. I do it anyway, forced to conform to society’s bullshit expectations.
“See you next Friday,” Massimo says, walking out of the boardroom. Axel follows behind, just like the dog that he is.
I sink into my chair at the expansive table and rest my head back, sighing.
“What’s the plan, sir?” Budimir asks once we’re alone.
“Plan?” I ask, staring at my own hands clasped together.
“Yes, what angle will we take at the meeting?”
I shake my head. “No angle. This is exactly where we wanted them, desperate for peace. Everything is falling into place, although hitting our hotel was a low blow I didn’t see coming.” I glance at him. “Can you get on to damage control and make sure our reputation isn’t affected too badly?”
He bows his head. “Yes, sir. I’ll do that now.”
I remain where I am as he walks away to sort out the hotel. Next Friday, I’ll strike three lucrative deals with the other families in the city, forcing their allegiance to the Estrada Cartel. It’ll firmly cement my place as a capable leader and I can rest easy knowing the war is over and Don Pablo won’t have a choice but to back me as the leader.
Slowly, everything is falling into place. I need to make sure my wife doesn’t distract me anymore than she already has. Ever since the night I told her about my mother, I’ve felt something change inside of me, and I don’t like it.
23
ELIZA
Ipace the bedroom floor, going over the exchange earlier with Adrik in my mind on repeat.
Why the hell couldn’t I hit him?
The only thing he deserves is to have a golf club wedged into the side of his skull and yet I couldn’t move my arms. He gave me the shot and I couldn’t take it. Maybe it’s because I’m not a killer like him, but I fear that it’s something else entirely. Something far more twisted.
Adrik said he’d steal my heart. As I looked into those unique hazel eyes and wielded the golf club, I knew he had gotten under my skin in irrevocable ways. There’s no way I love him, but there’s something binding me to him. A deep and dark connection that can’t be broken. He was my first, even if he took it ruthlessly, and his baby is growing in my belly.
After he released me from his hold and stopped devouring me like a starving animal, I headed straight to the bedroom and did the test, hoping it wasn’t positive. It was a false hope that was soon shattered by the two lines that showed up clear as day.
I’m going to have Adrik Volkov’s baby. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing as a baby is perhaps the only positive thing to come out of this. A bundle of joy I can spend my time looking after and pouring all my love into, rather than moping around this house all day.
A knock echoes at my door and I walk toward it and fling it open, finding Mariana on the other side with a tray. “When you didn’t come to the kitchen, I got worried.” The smell of freshly baked tortillas and fajitas makes my stomach rumble.
I slam my hand against my forehead. “I’m so sorry. Adrik and I had a fight and then I totally forgot.” My brow furrows. “I’ll take it back to the kitchen.” I grab the tray from her. “Maybe you can keep me company while I eat?”
She smiles and nods. “I’d like that, but Adrik may not approve.”
“He’s not in. His man came to fetch him about some kind of emergency.” The bastard walked away after licking me to climax for the first time since we married without even a simple goodbye.
She looks relieved as we walk down the stairs and back to the kitchen. I set the tray down and get to work assembling a wrap. “Are you having some?”
Mariana shakes her head. “I ate earlier.” She sits down and smiles. “Enjoy it. You need to keep eating. It’s important for your health.”
I swallow hard. “Not only mine.” I set my hand on my stomach, struggling to believe there’s another person growing inside of me.
“You are pregnant?” Mariana asks.