Chapter 138 Chapter 138
Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-Eight
Dimitri
I stood frozen as Viktor's voice came through the door.
My hand moved instinctively to the gun at my waist.
Irina's eyes widened with fear.
She moved closer to Nikolai's crib, protecting him with her body.
"Come in," I said, keeping my voice steady.
The door opened slowly.
Viktor stepped inside.
He looked tired as usual.
His eyes scanned the room, taking in everything.
"I heard you moved the baby," he said.
"How did you know that?" I asked carefully.
My hand stayed near my gun.
"One of the guards told me," Viktor said. "Is everything alright?"
"Fine," I lied. "We just wanted him in a quieter room."
Viktor nodded.
But his eyes went to Nikolai.
"I came to tell you that the perimeter is secure," Viktor said.
"Good," I said.
Viktor turned and left. The door closed behind him.
I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.
"Did you see that?" Irina asked.
"See what?" I asked.
"The way he looked at Nikolai," she said. "It was strange."
"He always looks at Nikolai," I said.
"This was different," Irina insisted.
I did not answer. I just stared at the door.
"We should rest," I said finally. "And take shifts watching Nikolai. I will take the first watch."
"Are you sure?" Irina asked.
"Yes," I said. "You need sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."
Irina hesitated.
Then she kissed Nikolai's forehead.
"Wake me in four hours," she said.
"I will," I promised.
She left the room.
I sat down in the chair next to Nikolai's crib.
The baby was sleeping peacefully. His tiny chest rising and falling.
I would die before I let anything happen to him.
Even if he was Alexei's son by blood, he was mine in every way that mattered.
The hours passed slowly.
Around three in the morning, I heard footsteps outside.
I stood up immediately, placing my hand on my gun.
The footsteps stopped outside the door. Then it continued past.
I relaxed slightly.
But the tension never fully left.
At six in the morning, Irina came back.
"Any problems?" She asked.
"No. Everything is okay." I replied.
"You can go to sleep now. I will watch him."
I modded.
My body was exhausted.
The pain from my ribs was returning.
"Wake me if anything happens," I said.
"I will," Irina promised.
I left the room and went to my bedroom.
I lay down but could not sleep. My mind kept replaying the video of Viktor and Lucia.
What was Lucia planning?
Finally, exhaustion took over. I fell into a fitful sleep.
When I woke, it was past noon. I sat up quickly. Pain shot through my ribs.
I grabbed my phone. There were new messages.
I got up and went to find Irina. She was not in Nikolai's room. The crib was empty.
My heart stopped.
"Irina!" I called.
No answer.
"Irina!" I shouted louder.
I ran through the house. Panic rose in my chest.
Where was she?
Where was Nikolai?
I burst into the kitchen. And found them. Irina was holding Nikolai. Alexei was standing next to her. And Viktor was there too, making coffee.
"Dimitri," Irina said. "You are awake."
"What is going on?" I demanded.
"Nothing," Irina said. "Nikolai woke up hungry. I brought him down for his bottle."
I looked at Viktor.
He was acting completely normal.
"Good morning, boss," he said. "Coffee?"
"No," I said.
I walked over and took Nikolai from Irina.
The baby looked at me with wide green eyes.
"I need to talk to you," I said to Irina.
We went back upstairs.
"What is wrong?" Irina asked.
"Viktor was down there with Nikolai." I said.
"I know," Irina said. "He came in right after me. He did not do anything suspicious."
"We cannot trust him," I said.
"I know," Irina replied. "But we also cannot act like we know. Not yet."
She was right.
But I did not like it.
The day passed slowly.
We watched Viktor constantly. But he did nothing unusual. He went about his duties. Checked the perimeter. Coordinated with the guards.
By evening, I was starting to doubt the messages.
Maybe they were fake.
Maybe someone was trying to turn me against Viktor.
"Maybe we were wrong," I said to Irina.
"Maybe," she agreed.
But she did not sound convinced.
That night, we put Nikolai to bed early. The same room as before.
I had installed a new lock on the door. One that only Irina and I had keys to.
"I will take the first watch again," I said.
"No," Irina said. "You took it last night. It is my turn."
"Irina..."
"I insist," she said firmly.
I nodded.
"Wake me in four hours," I said.
"I will," she promised.
I left and went to my room.
This time, sleep came easier. I was completely exhausted.
I slept deeply.
When I woke, something felt wrong.
I looked at the clock. It was already past four hours.
Past six hours, actually.
Why had Irina not woken me?
I got up and ran to Nikolai's room. The door was open. That was wrong. It was supposed to be locked.
I rushed inside.
And found Irina on the floor, unconscious.
"Irina!" I dropped to my knees beside her.
She was breathing but would not wake.
I looked at the crib. Nikolai was there. But something was wrong. His body was limp. His breathing was shallow.
"No," I whispered. "No no no."
I checked his pulse. It was very weak.
"Alexei!" I screamed. "Viktor!"
Footsteps pounded down the hallway.
Alexei burst in first.
He saw Nikolai in my arms. His face went white.
"What happened?" He demanded.
"I do not know," I said. "Irina is unconscious. Nikolai is barely breathing."
Viktor came in next.
"Call the medic," I ordered. "Now!"
Viktor pulled out his phone. But I grabbed his wrist.
"You," I said. "You did this."
"What?" Viktor asked, shocked.
"You poisoned him," I said. "You let Lucia in."
"Boss, I did not..." Viktor started. But I was not listening. All I could see was my nephew dying in my arms.
I handed Nikolai to Alexei.
Then I turned to Viktor and punched him in the face.
He went down hard.
"Dimitri, wait!" he shouted.
But I did not wait.
I grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out of the room. To the basement.
"Boss, please!" Viktor begged. "I did not do anything!"
"You betrayed me!" I roared.
I threw him into a chair. Two guards appeared.
"Tie him up," I ordered.
They moved quickly, binding Viktor's hands and feet.
"Dimitri, listen to me!" Viktor pleaded. "I am being framed!"
"Shut up," I said.
I punched him again. Blood poured from his nose.
"I swear I did not do anything!" Viktor screamed.
"Then explain the video," I demanded. "Explain your meeting with Lucia!"
"What video?" Viktor asked desperately.
I pulled out my phone and showed him.
Viktor watched it. His face went pale.
"That is not me," he whispered.
"It looks exactly like you," I said.
"It is not me!" Viktor insisted. "Look closer. That is not my watch. That is not my jacket."
I looked at the video again.
He was right.
The watch was different.
But the face was his.
"Then who is it?" I demanded.
"I do not know," Viktor said. "But someone is impersonating me. Someone wants you to think I am a traitor."
"Why should I believe you?" I asked.
"Because I am your cousin!" Viktor shouted. "B
ecause I have been loyal to you my entire life! I would never hurt Nikolai!"
I wanted to believe. But I was afraid to.
"Then who did this?" I asked.
"I do not know," Viktor said. "But we need to find out fast. Before Nikolai dies."
The word hit me like a punch.
Dies.
Nikolai could die. And that would shatter Irina.