ZOEY
Time seemed to slip away as Alexei delved deeper into his plans to take down Mikhail. His days were consumed by strategy meetings, covert operations, and endless preparations for the impending confrontation.
Despite his overwhelming schedule, Alexei always made it a point to check in with me. Whether it was a quick call, a brief moment together over breakfast, or a stolen kiss before he disappeared again, he ensured that I felt his presence amidst the chaos.
Lately, I've been feeling off, waking up either sick or exhausted every day. I didn't want to bother Alexei with my problems, so I kept it to myself. Today, he left early before I woke up, and I decided to freshen up and change into comfy clothes before heading downstairs.
In the kitchen, Olga was at work. "Good morning, Olga," I greeted with a smile.
"Good morning, my girl. How was your night?" she asked.
"It was good. What's cooking this morning?" I inquired.
ZOEYThe shock was evident in her face until she pulled me into a tight hug, and despite the awkwardness, there was a sense of warmth that washed over me."Come in, come in!" she exclaimed, leading me into her home.As we settled in the living room, her laughter seemed uneasy, almost forced. "I never imagined you would come see me first," she said, her tone uncertain."Why didn't you come to me when you learned I was your daughter?" My words came out harsher than I intended, but the frustration and confusion were overwhelming.She seemed taken aback, unable to meet my gaze. "Because I did not know what to say," she finally admitted, her voice trembling.I couldn't hide my confusion and frustration. "Excuse me?" I demanded, feeling a mix of hurt and anger."What did you expect me to do when I learned that my daughter, who I thought was dead for almost half of my life, was actually alive?" Her tears mirrored the p
ZOEYWe sat in the car for a moment, the weight of the recent events hanging in the air. Viktor seemed to sense that I needed a distraction."So, do you want to grab some coffee or something?" he suggested, trying to lighten the mood.A small smile played on my lips. "Coffee sounds good. Let's go."As we entered a nearby café, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped us. We found a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and ears.Sipping on the warm beverage, I took a moment to collect my thoughts."You've been a great help through all of this, Viktor," I said, breaking the silence.He grinned. "Well, I do try my best. Friends stick together, especially in the midst of mafia drama and long-lost mothers."I chuckled, appreciating his attempt to inject humor into the situation. "Yeah, you've been a solid friend. I don't know what I would do without you guys and Alexei."Viktor raised his cup
ALEXEII've been feeling uneasy all day, second-guessing whether I should've gone with Zoey to see Anastasia. But deep down, I know giving her space was the right call. She needed that time to reconnect with her mother, and I trust Viktor to watch over her.Meanwhile, our plans to take down Mikhail have hit a snag. The warehouse where he's holed up is heavily guarded, and we've been struggling to find a way in. We've been studying the place for days, waiting for an opening to strike.Yaz just came into my office with his laptop. "Any lead?" I asked him.He nodded. "Yes. Pavel finally spilled something useful. Turns out, there's a secret entrance that only a select few know about. If you look here," Yaz pointed it out on the map—a subtle blue dot indicating a hidden passage. "It looks a bit invisible to the eye but if you look deeply, this blue dot here indicates a secret passage.""Why didn't Pavel spill this so
ALEXEIAs the nurse's words hung in the air, the news of Zoey's pregnancy hit me like a ton of bricks. A mixture of emotions swirled within me—joy, surprise, and a newfound sense of responsibility. But along with those feelings, an unexpected wave of doubt crashed in.In the world I belonged to, being a Mafia Don, the concept of fatherhood was riddled with complexities. The shadow of my own tumultuous relationship with my father loomed large, casting doubt on my ability to be the father I wished to be. In our world, vulnerabilities were seen as weaknesses, and the fear of perpetuating a cycle of hardship haunted me.It's not that I didn't want to be a good father. It's just that the echoes of my own tumultuous past and the intricacies of my present life as a Mafia Don painted a daunting picture of parenthood. I grappled with the fear of inadequacy, questioning if I could provide the love and stability a child deserved in the tumultuous world I navigated.Yaz clapped me on the back,
ZOEY I couldn't shake the surreal feeling that settled over me as I whispered the words, admitting the life growing within me. Becoming a mother had always been a distant dream, but now it was a reality, entangled with the dangerous world of the Bratva. As my hand instinctively found its way to my stomach, I felt the weight of responsibility and the incredible realization that a life was growing inside me. Yet, an unwavering determination simmered within. I knew, deep down, that Alexei and I would be the shields around our unborn child, guarding them against the shadows that lurked. With a sense of newfound purpose, I vowed to cherish and protect my child fiercely. Thoughts of Viktor flooded my mind. Gratitude swelled within me. He had unknowingly rescued not just me but the precious life growing within me. I felt an enduring sense of indebtedness to him, a debt that could never truly be repaid. Tur
ZOEYThe banter continued as Yaz entered the room, disrupting whatever serious discussion was underway.His entrance was accompanied by a theatrical gesture, arms wide open, as if expecting a round of applause for his grand arrival."Y'all having a party without me?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow."Hey, man!" Viktor greeted, the magazine momentarily forgotten.Yaz eyed Viktor with mock suspicion. "Wow, sleeping beauty has finally woken up. Which prince did you kiss?"Viktor shot back, "Fuck you, man."Alexei chuckled, playing along. "Yaz, you missed the celebration. Zoey just made a very important decision."Yaz raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Oh, do tell."Alexei leaned in conspiratorially. "She decided that Viktor is going to be Godfather one."Yaz turned to me with an exaggerated hurt expression. "How could you do that after all that we have been through?"Viktor, not missi
EMMAI could hardly contain my excitement about planning Zoey's baby shower. The idea of organizing an event for the newest member of the Bratva family was both thrilling and heartwarming.Yelena seemed to share my enthusiasm, and together, we were ready to make this celebration unforgettable."So, Em, any specific plans for the baby shower?" Yelena asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.I leaned back, contemplating the possibilities. "We need a theme that reflects Zoey and Alexei's journey. Something unique and meaningful."Yelena nodded in agreement. "That's a good idea. We want it to be personal."I tapped my chin, brainstorming. "How about a 'Journey to Parenthood' theme? We can decorate with maps, vintage suitcases, and incorporate elements that symbolize their path together."Zoey seemed intrigued by
ALEXEIWe spent a whole day at the hospital before we could leave, making sure Viktor was on the mend. The guy insisted on recovering at home, so we all headed out together.But Viktor made it clear: no revenge on Mikhail until he was back in fighting shape. So, we waited it out for a week. Today was the day we'd been gearing up for – the day we'd take Mikhail down.Anastasia, always up for a good takedown, sent some of her men to help out.In my office, going over the final plans, Pavel was with us. I'd been a bit too soft on him, so now he had no choice but to spill the beans."I really don't know a way in," he whined, trying to play innocent.The tension in the room was suffocating, and Pavel's act of ignorance grated on my last nerve. We were on the brink of taking down Mikhail, and his cooperation was non-negotiable."Pavel, you knew about the secret entrance, so don't play games with me," I growled,