Chapter 25 PASHA Your coffee , Mr. Chekhov , The words are purred , but they sound like nails dragging down a chalkboard to me . I only glance up at Paris to take the mug from her hands . She seems to misinterpret that as an invitation to sidle around my desk , far closer to me than she ought to dare . Is there anything else I can do for you , Mr. Chekhov ? * You can fuck off , spits the voice in my head . Remember what the word professionalism means , and then show me you understand the definition . I set the mug aside and snap my gaze back to the paperwork in front of me . Pariss cleavage bounces with the force of her giggle . Should I use the dictionary , or your definition ? I hate that she has a point . Several months ago , my own version of professionalism would have my face buried in that same cleavage and her short skirt hiked up over her ass . Unfortunately , it seems I created a monster . A succubus hungry for what I cant and wont give her , now that my child is growing inside someone elses womb . Ice shoots through my veins for a millisecond . What wouldve happened if I got Paris pregnant ? Im not a religious man . But right now , I am praying my thanks to any god thats listening that the worst case scenario never came to life . Whichever helps you keep your job , I drawl Paris giggles again and saunters her way out of my office , her rounded hips swaying side to side with every step of those sky high stilettos . The only reason why I notice is because I want to make sure she does , in fact , actually leave my presence . Which means I also manage to catch my brother smirking at me with a raised eyebrow . Mak shrugs not so innocently . Tm just thinking . Take a shit or get off the pot , man . The fuck ? 21:30 Boyfriend Let His Side Chick Ruin My Painting , Now He Regrets 21.2 % Chapter 25 Fuck her or fire her . But pick one . I snarl every curse word in Russian I can think of under my breath , which only makes my little brother chuckle . You want her ? I snap at him . Have at her . Get her out of my hair . Mak makes a face and settles back into his favorite chair . I prefer my woman to have more substance between the ears . I could defend Paris . She is , after all , a fairly competent assistant . I wouldnt have hired her otherwise . But shes also an outlet who was convenient when I needed something rather , someone to burn off my horniness . Now , I can hardly stand her . Im pretty sure its mostly my own fault . The door opens again and Im about to tell Paris off when I see my sisters familiar smile poke in . Got a quick question for ya . Sofi slides through the door and closes it behind her . But before she can voice her question , my phone buzzes and I grab it from the desk . Hold the thought , I order as I answer . Thought you should know about a schedule change , Viktor , the vor I assigned to tail Daphne , reports . Shes been consistent every day , but made a sudden outing this morning . Were following her now . Not to work ? I tell myself to calm the fuck down before I start jumping to conclusions . Shes off today . We had Lev call in as a prospective client and they told him shed be back tomorrow . When he pressed for info , they just said she had a personal emergency . My heart leaps into my throat . Is she okay ? Is she hurt ? She seems fine . I can hear the shrug in his voice . But I thought you should know . Keep on her and let me know what happens . Will do , pak wait . Were turning off here . I hold my breath . Sofi and Mak look at me expectantly . Viktor clears his throat and readjusts the phone . Were across the street from an outpatient clinic . Looks like an OB GYN . Shes getting out of her car now . Stay where you are . Call me when she leaves . You got it , sir . Chick D .. Painting Now No Powrote 21.5 % Chapter 25 I hang up and set my phone back down on the desk . My heart has returned -somewhat to my chest , but its not beating any easier . Daphnes at the doctor ? Didnt she promise shed let me know about her appointments ? Hey , Sofis gentle voice wafts over from the small couch . How you holding up ? Fine . Everythings fine . Then why do you look like youve been gut punched ? Shes got me there . I feel gut punched . Daphne made an appointment with the obstetrician and didnt tell me . I want to be there for her . I want to be there for our baby . I dont want to miss anything . I glance up at my two younger siblings and sigh . Maybe theyre a little to blame for this , just not intentionally . With all the shit our parents had to deal with Mama more than Otets I was the one who poured the cereal , helped with homework , divvied up chores , basically raised them . Family is everything . And if Makari and Sofiya are anything to show for it, I could actually raise a decent , happy kid . If Im allowed the chance . Dinner didnt exactly go as planned , I explain haltingly . What did you do ? Sofi deadpans . I narrow my eyes at her . Thats assuming I did anything . She stares at me , unflinching . I may have come on a little strong . A little ? If she wasnt my baby sister , Id give her a warning glare for questioning me . As it stands , shes one of the few people who dares to check me . You mightve been right . Shes a civilian , and Im responsible for her safety . I told her as much , and she … didnt take it well . You told her what , precisely ? In what kind of words ? Again , I sigh . That were a Bratva . And Im the boss . And … that shes part of my household- And that means she has to do what you say . The fact that both my siblings fill in the answer in unison does not inspire confidence . Sofi rolls her eyes and rubs the bridge of her nose , while Mak laughs and shakes his head . Great job , he remarks between chuckles . Oversharing on the first date . Chicks love that shit . 21:30 Boyfriend Let His Side Chick Ruin My Painting . Now He Regrets Chapter 25 Im allowed to hit him . Hes my brother . Sofi stops me with a hand held up before I can even rock forward in my chair to launch a swing at Maks huge head . What do we know about Daphne ? Not much , I admit as I settle back down . She works for an art dealer and shes probably using an alias , because records dont go back as far as they should . Okaaay … She sucks air through her teeth and nods . So whats the plan ? I dont have a plan . Both of them stare at me in disbelief . But you always have a plan . Yeah , well , I also always manage to not knock up total strangers . I shuffle the papers on my desk just to have something to keep my hands busy . This is new . All of this is fucking new . I sure as fuck wasnt planning on becoming a father any time soon . So no , I dont have a plan- because nothing is going as planned . They exchange a look . If I didnt know any better , Id swear these two were twins with the way they always sync their thoughts . You know whats not new ? Sofi leans against the back of the couch . Youre the pakhan . You told her that , right ? I side eye her , suspicious of where shes going with this . So then act like the pakhan . You call the shots . You give the orders . You say the word , and it happens . You want Daphne closer ? Make it happen . I glance at Mak , who shrugs . Sofis right , he agrees . Besides , Daphne probably doesnt know what it means to be the mother of your child . Yeah , you could tell her . But why not show her instead ? They both have solid points . Against my better instincts , I set out at the dinner to deliver the news of Daphnes new reality as gently as possible . But she also needs to know Im not a pushover . 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