Accidental Bratva Daddy (Bratva Blessings)

Chapter 16Luka

16

Luka

T he soft glow of the computer screen casts eerie shadows across my office as I scan through financial reports. Two weeks have passed since the incident at the Governor's mansion, and an unsettling quiet has settled over my operations. It's the kind of silence that makes my teeth itch, my instincts screaming that something is coming, that I’m missing something crucial.

I rub my eyes, fatigue weighing heavily on me. The wound in my side has mostly healed, but the memory of that night—the pain, the fear, the revelation about Natalia's pregnancy—still lingers. So much has changed in such a short time, and I'm still struggling to find my footing in this new reality. What I do know is this much: I have more to lose than ever, and I’m going to make sure that nothing happens to my wife and children. Which is why I’m burning the midnight oil when I should be sleeping and healing.

A sharp knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. "Come in," I call out, straightening in my chair.

Alexei, my most trusted lieutenant, enters with a file tucked under his arm. His face is carefully neutral, but I can see the tension in the set of his shoulders. Whatever news he brings, it's not good.

"Report," I command, gesturing for him to sit.

Alexei remains standing, his posture rigid. "We've located Viktor, boss," he says without preamble. "He's in Seattle."

I lean back in my chair, processing this information. Viktor Orlov, Natalia's uncle and the man responsible for the hit on her father. The puppet master pulling strings from the shadows. "Seattle? What's he doing there?"

"Officially, he's there on business for his coffee company," Alexei explains, handing me the file. "But our sources indicate it's just a front for money laundering."

I flip through the documents, my jaw clenching as I take in the details. Bank statements, travel records, surveillance photos—all pointing to a massive operation that goes far beyond a simple coffee business.

"How long has he been there?" I ask, my mind already racing with possibilities.

"About a week," Alexei replies. "He's scheduled to return to Moscow in three days."

I nod, closing the file with a sharp snap. "Good work. Keep monitoring his movements. I want to know every step he takes, every person he meets with."

Alexei hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "Boss, there's something else. We've intercepted some chatter... it seems Viktor might be looking for his niece. He’s has something planned for Mrs. Volkova.”

My blood runs cold at the mention of Natalia. Instinctively, my hand goes to the healing wound on my side, a reminder of how close I came to losing everything. "What kind of 'something'?" I demand, my voice low and dangerous.

"We're not sure yet," Alexei admits. "But whatever it is, he’s pulling back on other business to concentrate on it. Has some of the rival families nervous.”

I stand abruptly, needing to move, to do something to quell the restless energy suddenly coursing through me. "Double the security detail on the house," I order, pacing the length of my office. "I want eyes on Natalia at all times. And get me everything you can on Viktor's operation in Seattle. Bank records, property deeds, shell companies—all of it."

Alexei nods, already turning to carry out my orders.

Natalia. My wife, the mother of my unborn children. The woman who has somehow wormed her way past all my defenses, awakening feelings I thought long dead.

She deserves to know the truth about her uncle, about the danger we're all in. But the thought of causing her any more pain, of potentially harming the twins with the stress of this revelation... it makes something twist painfully in my chest.

As the door closes behind Alexei, I sink back into my chair with a heavy sigh. My gaze drifts to the framed photo on my desk—a candid shot of Natalia laughing at something off-camera, her eyes sparkling with joy. It was taken just a few days ago, at a moment when she thought I wasn't looking. For some odd reason I can’t quite name, I was drawn to take the photo and have it printed, so I could remember her like this forever.

The sight of it now sends a pang through my heart. How can I tell her that the uncle she loves, the man she trusts, is responsible for so much pain and destruction? How can I shatter her world yet again?

With another sigh, I push away from my desk. Sitting here brooding won't solve anything. I need to see Natalia, to remind myself of what I'm fighting for.

I make my way downstairs, my footsteps echoing in the cavernous halls of the mansion. As I approach the newly designated nursery, I hear Natalia's voice drifting through the partially open door. She's humming softly, an old Russian lullaby that tugs at some long-buried memory.

I pause in the doorway, taking in the scene before me. The room has been transformed in the past two weeks, going from a bland guest room to a warm, inviting space filled with all the essentials for our coming children. A beautiful crib stands against one wall, flanked by matching dressers. Shelves line another wall, already filled with books and stuffed animals. In the center of it all is Natalia, perched on a rocking chair with a sketchpad in her lap.

She's so engrossed in her work that she doesn't notice me at first. I take the opportunity to study her, drinking in every detail. Her brow is furrowed in concentration, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she focuses on her sketch. The late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window catches in her auburn hair, setting it ablaze with golden highlights.

She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

As if sensing my presence, Natalia looks up. Her face breaks into a radiant smile that never fails to take my breath away. "Luka!" she exclaims, setting aside her sketchpad and rising to greet me. "Come look at what I've been working on!"

I cross the room to her, unable to resist pulling her into my arms for a quick kiss. She melts against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. When we part, her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright with excitement.

"Look," she says, retrieving her sketchpad and holding it up for me to see. "I've been designing some outfits for the twins. What do you think?"

I examine the sketches, impressed as always by Natalia's talent. The designs are beautiful—tiny dresses and suits that somehow manage to be both whimsical and elegant. "They're perfect," I tell her honestly. "Our children will be the best-dressed in all of Moscow."

Natalia beams at the praise, but then her smile falters slightly. A shadow passes over her face, and I tense instinctively, sensing the shift in her mood.

"What is it?" I ask, cupping her cheek gently. "What's wrong?"

She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. "It's nothing, really," she says with a small shake of her head. "I just... I'm worried about how my family will react to all of this. The marriage, the babies... it's all happening so fast."

I swallow hard, guilt gnawing at my insides. If only she knew the full truth, how much danger her family is really in. "They'll come around," I say, trying to inject confidence into my voice. "How could they not love these little ones?"

Natalia's hand drifts to her stomach, still flat but carrying our precious cargo. "I wish Uncle Viktor were here," she says softly. "He'd be so happy about the twins. He always said I'd make a wonderful mother someday."

The mention of Viktor's name is like a bucket of ice water down my spine. I struggle to keep my expression neutral as I carefully ask, "Do you know where Viktor is now? Have you spoken to him recently?"

Natalia shakes her head. "Not directly, but Alina mentioned he's in the U.S. on business. Something about expanding the coffee company, I think."

I nod, my mind racing. This could be the opening I need, a way to gather more information without arousing suspicion. "You should reach out to him," I suggest, hating myself even as the words leave my mouth. "Invite him over when he returns to Moscow. I'm sure he'd love to hear about the twins from you directly."

Natalia's face lights up at the idea, and I feel like the lowest form of scum. I'm using her love for her uncle, her excitement about our children, as bait in a trap. But if she understood what Viktor was really capable of, what he's done... maybe she'd see things differently.

"Do you really think so?" she asks, hope shining in her eyes. "You wouldn't mind?"

I force a smile, pushing down the guilt threatening to choke me. "Of course not. He's your family, and family is important."

Natalia throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Luka," she murmurs against my chest. "You don't know how much this means to me."

As I hold her close, breathing in the sweet floral scent of her hair, the possibility that I'm making a terrible mistake creeps into my mind like a winter frost. But what choice do I have? Viktor is a threat that needs to be eliminated, for Natalia's safety as much as my own. And if using the twins as bait is what it takes to draw him out... well, I've done far worse things in the name of protecting what's mine.

"Why don't you call him now?" I suggest, pulling back slightly to look at Natalia. "I'm sure he'd love to hear your voice."

Natalia nods eagerly, already reaching for her phone. As she dials, I step back, giving her some privacy for the conversation. But I remain in the doorway, watching as she paces the nursery, one hand resting protectively on her stomach as she talks animatedly to her uncle.

The sight of her, so happy and unaware of the danger lurking just beyond these walls, makes something twist painfully in my chest. I've spent my entire life in a world of violence and betrayal, never allowing myself to form attachments or trust anyone completely. But Natalia... she's changed everything.

For the first time in years, I have something—someone—worth fighting for. Worth dying for, if necessary. And I'll be damned if I let Viktor or anyone else threaten that.

As Natalia ends the call, turning to me with a beaming smile, I make a silent vow. I will protect her and our children, no matter the cost. Even if it means becoming the monster I've always tried to keep hidden from her.

Because in the end, that's what love is, isn't it? Sacrifice. Protection. Doing whatever it takes to keep your family safe.

And Natalia Volkova is my family now. God help anyone who tries to come between us.