All Chapters of BLOODSTAINED HEARTS: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

ALEXEIAfter ensuring that Zoey was in a deep sleep, I quietly slipped out of our room and made my way to the office. There, I found Yaz and Viktor waiting for me. We were all concerned about how Zoey had handled the recent attack."How's she?" Yaz asked, genuine concern etched on his face.I wearily slumped into the chair in front of the mahogany table. "She was scared," I admitted, I recounted the events of the attack as soon as we arrived home."Anyone in her shoes would've been scared," Viktor chimed in, understanding the gravity of the situation.Turning my attention to Yaz, I asked, "Do you have Pavel's location?"Yaz nodded. "He knows you're coming for him, so he's hiding out in a motel down south.""Does he have any men with him?" I prodded further.Shaking his head, Yaz replied, "It's suspicious, but he's alone.""It could be a trap," Viktor warned.I nodded, acknowledging the possibility. "Viktor, I need you on standby. Yaz and I will check him out, and if it turns out to

ZOEYTime 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.

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

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,

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