“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Her tone made my skin prickle. “I’ve been watching the way you challenge him with that rebellious attitude. You probably think it’s thrilling or that he finds it charming, but Alexei Romanov is not a man you test. He is the Pakhan. He has killed more people than you’ve met in your entire lifetime. Right now, he’s being patient with you, but that patience is going to run out.”
“He wouldn’t hurt me.”
“He would do things much worse than hurting you,” she said, her voice turning brutal. “Wake up. If you actually want a good life, stop fighting him on every little thing. Be obedient when it matters and give him what he wants so you're easy to deal with instead of a constant problem. Submission is what keeps you safe, while pride is what gets you buried.”
She released my arm slightly and looked at me directly. “Are you pregnant?”
“No.”
A sharp flash of disappointment crosses her face. “Then get pregnant soon. You need to secure your home with a child before people start gossiping. In our world, a woman’s value is measured by what she produces. Sons especially.”
She moves closer until her eyes bore into mine. “I only gave your father one child, and that alone nearly destroyed me. The whispers and the judgment would have seen me thrown out if it wasn't for my father’s power and your father’s stubborn love. I want the best for you, so listen to me: get pregnant fast.”
“Can I wait until after school?”
“School?” Her tone sharpens instantly. “What school?”
“Alexei is letting me attend university. He’s already arranging it.”
Silence follows while she processes the information. “Education is fine, even acceptable, but you can carry a child and attend classes at the same time. Other women manage both. What you cannot afford to do is wait too long.” Her hand moves up to grip my face. “Cement your position first. A baby makes you irreplaceable, but without one, you’re just another pretty face he can discard.”
Before I can answer, Alexei is back. “Excuse me,” he says, looking at my mother. “May I have her back?”
“Naturally.” My mother leans in to kiss my cheek, letting her lips brush against my ear. “Don’t forget.” She pulls away and walks off into the crowd.
I feel Alexei’s hand settle on my back. “What did she say?”
“Nothing important,” I say, trying to force a smile. “Just family things.”
He walks me over to four men, where three stand relaxed while the fourth looks visibly uncomfortable. “My associates,” Alexei announces. “Konstantin Lebedev handles finances. Sergei Markov oversees imports. Dmitri Volkov manages the north.” They shake my hand one after the other. Alexei then gestures to the massive man at the end. “And Taras. My cousin.”
Taras towers over everyone with a frame built of pure muscle, yet his eyes are fixed on the floor. When he finally offers his hand, it shakes against mine.
“Are you alright?” I ask, looking at him with concern.
Taras gives me a tiny nod without saying a word, keeping his stare glued downward.
“He’s perfectly fine,” Alexei says in a casual tone. “That’s normal for him. Crowds aren’t his thing, and he doesn't care for conversations.”
“I see.” I study Taras for a moment; he looks like he's trying to disappear.
Alexei leans in until his mouth is near my ear. “His shy act is deceiving,” he says quietly. “He’s the most lethal killer I’ve ever seen, and possibly the most dangerous man alive.”
I stare at Taras, my eyes widening.
“Okay then.” I keep my voice even, watching as Taras seems ready to disappear into the floor.
“You’ve done well for yourself,” Sergei observes. “She’s beautiful.”
“She certainly is,” he agrees.
“And I have excellent taste in everything.” I add.
The men chuckle, and I feel Alexei’s fingers press into my side. The conversation quickly shifts to business, filled with coded language and veiled discussions. I play my role perfectly until one of Alexei’s men interrupts, leaning in to say something quiet.
“Excuse me,” Alexei says, turning to face me. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I got business to attend to.”