Chapter 38

I’m not sure how much time has passed, but as soon as I open my eyes, I’m in a completely unfamiliar place. I look around, noticing it resembles a military base. I speak in a faint, shaky voice:

"Where am I?"

Dr. Zima, monitoring something on the computer, glances at me briefly.

"You’re with Pavel, and you’ll stay here until the babies are born."

"Babies?" I’m shocked by his statement.

"Oh, you probably don’t know yet, but I did an ultrasound while you were asleep. You’re pregnant with triplets!"

"Triplets?" My head starts spinning at the news—I never imagined I was carrying three babies.

"Yes, all three are healthy and developing well."

"You need to help me escape from here!"

"Tatyana, I want to, but Pavel has lost all his allies with the new code update," he says, his expression filled with sadness. "The members now understand that Samuel trusts them implicitly, which has increased the Brotherhood's loyalty. I’m forced to help him—he has information that could destroy me. This is a secret location, a military underground bunker. No one would ever find it. There’s no way out."

I feel furious knowing he won’t do anything to help me.

"You don’t want to get screwed over, but you screw others over! I hope you suffer when your time comes, you selfish, disloyal man…"

"I’m sorry, I can’t."

My heart breaks at the thought of being stuck with Pavel until my babies are born.

I hear voices approaching, and soon, two people I didn’t expect are standing in front of me. Luara is wearing a short, lace blue dress, her expression triumphant as she sees me tied to the bed.

"Finally, we’ve found you, you filthy woman!" she exclaims, eyeing my belly. "You showed up and destroyed everything we built. Don’t think you’ll get away with this unscathed and alive."

The blonde is accompanied by Maria.

"Who do you think tipped off Pavel the moment she saw Anna arriving at the house? It was Maria. She’ll take care of your meals when she’s free," Luara says, grinning smugly at the housekeeper. "You don’t need to feed her every day, and when you do, give her just enough for the babies."

"Of course, my dear!"

"Maria, you traitor. I can’t wait to see Samuel kill you," I warn, furious.

"I’ve lived in that house for years, and I know very well that my loyalty lies with Pavel."

"Alright, sedate her, Zima," Luara orders.

"What? Sedate me?"

"We’ll meet again in about a month and a half when I come to collect my babies, you decrepit woman. Don’t worry, I won’t be so cruel as to not let you see them and say goodbye."

"Such kindness," Maria mocks.

"Yes, Maria… such kindness indeed," Pavel interjects, entering the room.

"Go now and notify me of any suspicious activity. Luara, what did I always teach you?"

"I remember… To do whatever it takes to get what we want," Luara says with a smile, leaving quickly with Maria.

Pavel stops beside me and grips my arm tightly.

"How did you find me?" I ask, disheartened.

"It was simple. Sooner or later, Samuel or John would’ve found you. I just needed to track them and stay alert. I have everything I need here. I’m a Mafia man—did you think I wouldn’t have a place to hide for this long? I’ll enjoy spending my days with you, little rabbit. We’re going to have so much fun!"

"Go to hell, Pavel. I wish I could kill you right now!"

"Don’t kid yourself, Tatyana. You’re a weak little rabbit, even if you do have some fight in you." He gives the order that crushes my spirit: "Go ahead and sedate her, Zima. We’ll see each other soon."

Desperately, I try to get up.

"No… let me go! Pavel, you can’t sedate me without affecting the babies!" Pavel holds me down firmly as Dr. Zima administers the sedative. I scream relentlessly until my strength begins to fade.

Everything slows down, and time seems to freeze before my eyes. Memories flash through my mind like a movie. They dissolve into ash and darkness. I never imagined entering a world filled with so much fear and chaos. I’ve sunk so deeply that I can no longer reach the surface. My body craves air, light, and life, but now all I see is darkness and pain.

***

POV Samuel

I arrive at the mansion, nervous after a frustrating meeting with the senator. I step into my office, dim the lights, and head to the cabinet to pour myself a glass of whiskey. It’s been hours since Tatyana called me, and every few minutes, I glance at my phone anxiously, hoping she’ll call again and ask me to come for her.

I sit on the leather armchair and close my eyes, overwhelmed. It’s indescribable—the feeling of waiting for news from someone and not receiving it, wanting to see her but not knowing where she is, wanting to touch her body and kiss her lips but having her out of reach. Each day has been torture, and I’m sinking deeper into my own darkness.

I bring the glass to my lips, swallowing the whiskey and feeling the bitter taste burn down my throat. I drink, trying to fill the gaping hole inside me. John reported that he didn’t find anything today, and the small thread of hope I’d been holding onto snapped, leaving me aimless once again.

A soft knock on the door interrupts my thoughts.

"Come in…"

"Hi, son. I don’t want to disturb your moment of reflection, but your Aunt Natalya is here with her daughter Gisele. She might have some information on where Pavel could be."

"Of course, I’ll be right there."

I down the rest of the whiskey in one gulp and walk out, heading to the sitting room where they’re waiting. When I enter, my Aunt Natalya is seated, looking at me with surprise. She’s about 58 years old, with slightly graying hair, youthful skin, and large eyes. She looks very much like Pavel. The last time I saw her, I was just a child, and we hadn’t spoken since.

"It’s been a long time, Samuel. You’ve finally accepted us back!"

I walk closer and sit on the sofa.

"Well, you know the kind of brother you have—a damn traitor who deserves to die!"

"Yes, I was devastated when I found out what he did to your mother. It took me a long time to accept your invitation to return, but I’m here now, and I’ll support all your decisions. I don’t know where he could be. You know Pavel—he’s always been manipulative, calculating, and cruel. It won’t be easy to find him, but don’t give up. Once we catch him, we’ll lock him away for good. We’re the Colts; we’re family."

"Yes. Where’s Gisele?"

I hear footsteps stop beside me.

"I’m here! Ready to start working."

I look up, noticing how much she’s grown. Gisele has blonde, shoulder-length hair, deep navy-blue eyes, fair skin, and a teasing smile. That familiar mockery and sarcasm that runs through our family.

"I’m a woman now, Samuel. Your father didn’t choose me to be your wife, but you’re the one who lost out."

"I’d forgotten how funny you are. Well, head to the south side and help Adam with the businesses there."

"Adam?" she asks, thoughtfully bringing her fingers to her chin.

"Adam Orlov. Help him with the money laundering. I’m on a personal mission."

"And what mission would that be?"

"Finding my future wife."

"My what?" Luara screams, storming into the room like a whirlwind. She must have learned from Pavel to move around like a shadow, always ready to invade at inappropriate moments. "I am your wife."

"For now… You’ve never been a real wife," I say, standing and adjusting my suit.

"I’m the wife you deserve, Colt. I’ve already told you, I won’t divorce you."

"Then I’ll have to find a way to kill you. Simple as that," I tease, smirking.

"You’re a monster, Samuel!" she snaps, furious.

"Where’s Maria? Why hasn’t she come to serve anything?"

"She’s sick," Luara replies.

"She should just die already—it wouldn’t make any difference."

Maria has never inspired trust in me. Sick, now of all times? I’ll have her investigated.

"Gisele, meet with Adam tomorrow. Tell him I want updates on the search for Pavel."

"Sure thing, boss."

Before I can return to my torment, I see John approaching with Iurih.

"Can we talk to you?" Iurih asks nervously.

"About what? I’m not interested…"

"It’s about Tatyana," John reveals, making my heart race.

I walk to the office, and they follow me silently. Once inside, they both look at me with sadness, which tells me they know where she is and, of course, have been hiding it from me.

"Where is she?" I shout furiously. "I can’t believe you’ve been keeping this from me!"

"She asked me to help her hide until the baby is born!" Iurih confesses, looking worried.

"Why?"

"Because she helped me. I just wanted to repay the favor!"

"And what’s your excuse, John? Didn’t want me to find her so you could have her to yourself whenever you wanted?"

"No, Samuel… I…"

"Enough! If you’re here, it’s because everything went wrong! What the hell happened?"

"Someone took her, Samuel, and we believe it was Pavel," Iurih says, as rage surges like an avalanche inside me, exploding with all its might.

Out of control, I start breaking everything in the room. I need to release all my frustration and despair at losing her to Pavel.

"Damn it! I should kill you both!" I scream in anger, desperation, and revolt. "I’m so tired of being lied to, damn it!"