Chapter 35
POV Tatyana
As dawn breaks, I get up and walk around the room. The space is small, with a white wardrobe in the corner and a comfortable double bed. I think about Samuel, my father, and an overwhelming urge to cry takes hold of me.
Would Samuel kill my father? Would he be capable of doing that just to hurt me?
Even though my father is addicted to gambling, he is a very loving man. During my childhood, he often wanted to do more for me, but his addiction consumed his time. He spent many nights gambling and losing everything we had. My mother bore the weight of the household bills many times, and though shaken, she never stopped fighting. I learned from her to be determined, fearless, and perseverant. Remembering her fills my heart with longing.
I try to suppress the sadness threatening to explode within me and focus on putting on a loose, comfortable dress. Once I’m ready, I head to the living room, where Camila greets me with a warm smile.
"Sit here; let’s have breakfast!" Camila is a beautiful woman with a sculpted figure, wearing a red plaid crop top today.
I notice her calm, loving, and attentive demeanor. I sit beside her, and she serves me a cup of coffee. Feeling distressed, I gently close my eyes, lost in thought.
"Are you okay?" Camila looks downcast at my sadness.
"I’m a little anxious and sad. I feel like I did the right thing, but at the same time, it feels so wrong."
"It feels wrong because you have feelings, because you care about Samuel Colt. Listen, Tatyana, don’t feel guilty for putting your baby first. Any mother would make that choice without hesitation. Just remember, this isn’t permanent—this life, this hiding. Think of it as a short-term decision. Soon, you’ll have your baby in your arms, and it will all have been worth it."
A sense of comfort washes over me as I hear Camila’s words.
"You’re right. I believe Samuel will sort everything out so I can return and be with him." At that moment, I realize that’s what I want most—to raise my child alongside Samuel and be together as a family. That will help him forget the scars of the past that have hurt him so deeply.
***
POV Samuel
All the members enter the Burgundy Hall. I finish my cigarette and step through the door. They are seated at the long wooden central table. The hall smells of aged oak, mingled with the scent of whiskey, which is even more intense today. I approach the table and serve myself a drink.
"Very well, I expect to hear that you’ve captured Pavel!"
"Unfortunately, someone is hiding him. We haven’t found anything yet," says Leblon, one of my loyal men.
"I can imagine. In fact, I know the traitor is sitting at this table right now, but let me be clear—I will kill all of Pavel's allies." I scan the faces around the table, each one showing signs of nervousness.
I focus on Ivan. He’s been with the Mafia for about two years, brought in at my father’s request. He begins to sweat, giving himself away as one of Pavel’s allies. I draw my gun, unlock it, and shoot him in the forehead.
"Starting today, we’re changing a rule in the code. The Colt family marriages will no longer be mandatory." Murmurs ripple through the room, and I fire a shot into the wall to silence them.
"I am your Pakhan, and I am putting the end of Colt family marriages to a vote. Here’s my reasoning: I’ve been betrayed my entire life by my own father—a Colt. He has allies within this very Brotherhood who betray me behind my back. Many of you sitting here are now more trustworthy to me than any member of my family."
The silence in the room is so profound that I can hear the wind blowing through the space.
"Many of you have joined me on missions, schemes, and heists. There are those here I trust with my eyes closed, and you are not Colts. As your leader, I promise to maintain order, integrity, and respect among the members—and most importantly, loyalty. From this day forward, Colt marriages will be with people who become allies, strengthening our loyalty. Those in favor, cast your votes!"
Everyone writes their votes, and when the voting concludes, John counts them. All eyes are on him as he finishes and announces the result.
"From this day forward, Colt family marriages are no longer mandatory."
I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Finally, I’ve taken the first step to initiate change. Now, I need to find my father and capture him. I believe this will make Tatyana feel safer. The mere thought of him harming her or my child tempts me to kill him with my own hands. I know that doing so might cost me my life, but perhaps that’s the price I have to pay to ensure the safety of those I love.
"I don’t want anyone to rest until Pavel is found. Meeting adjourned!"
Everyone leaves the room while I grab the whiskey bottle in front of me and sit down. I try to understand why I feel lost, upset, and burdened with a heavy heart. John approaches and sits beside me.
"I want to know what happened with Tatyana."
"She left, to protect our baby. She doesn’t want to hand him over to Luara."
"You know, ever since the day you brought her to this house, she’s been on my mind."
"Why?"
"Because I like her, Samuel."
John’s words knock the wind out of me. How could he say that?
"She’s having my child, John. I will never give up on her!"
"That doesn’t stop her from starting over, from having a new family far away from all this, Samuel."
"No, it doesn’t. But I’m in love with her, and she’s in love with me."
"What did you just say, Samuel?" John questions.
I tremble, consumed by anger and weakness at the same time, but I need to admit what I feel.
"You heard me perfectly well!" I state, irritated.
"You’re married, Samuel! How exactly do you plan to handle this?"
"I intend to divorce Luara. I’ll talk to our lawyer; she’ll have to accept the end of this farce. That’s enough. I’m done talking! When we find Tatyana, we’ll settle this. I won’t share her, and I won’t lose her. Let that be clear!"
I storm out of the room and head to my bedroom. One thought lingers in my mind. No matter how much time passes, I’ll wait, and I’ll never stop searching for Tatyana and my child. When I find them, I’ll protect them with my life.