Chapter 134

Luka

I should’ve seen this coming a mile away. I knew eventually Vladimir would snap and tell my secrets. Things I kept buried deep inside. He was a bastard for doing what he did, and he knew it. I could tell by the look on Vladimir’s face…he did something. Because he’s hurt Valentina pushed him away. It’s not my fault nor is it Anna’s fault. Valentina warned him not to kiss her, but he didn’t listen.

He never does and that’s his problem.

“Nikolai,” I started, but he shook his head. Hell, he didn’t even want to look at me. I don’t blame him. “I never meant to…to fall for her. You have to believe me. I tried so fucking hard not to fall.”

“Luka, I trusted you and this is what you do. You were my best friend.” He choked out.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” I stood up and sunk to my knees with my back to him. “Just be sure it’s quick and tell Anna I love her. Even in death, I’ll always love her.”

I waited for the shot to come, but it never did. Maybe he was drawing it out to torture me. I couldn’t be sure, usually he gets straight to the point. Even lock me up in the basement and torture me for a while. He hasn’t done any of that.

Something was different about him. Come to think about it, he’s been different ever since him and Lydia became exclusive. Ever since she told Anna about her being pregnant with Nikolai’s baby.

Could it be Nikolai’s heart has thawed out and accepted feelings?

Did Lydia finally melt his heart?

“Get up, Luka.” He growled his voice full of aggravation.

“Are you fucking kidding me? He’s been fucking your sister and you’re not going to do anything about it. You’re just going to let him rob the cradle and get away with it?!” Vladimir screamed.

“Get out.” Nikolai hissed.

“What?”

“Did I stutter? I said fucking leave. Now!”

I watched Vladimir storm out and slam the door. Obviously it’s not the reaction he was hoping for. Not the reaction I expected. I stood up and faced him. I sucked in a breath and waited for him to speak. He silently poured two shots of Vodka and slid one across his desk. “Sit, let’s chat.”

I gulped down the contents of the glass and set it back on the table. Finally, he cleared his throat. “Do you remember what I told you? My warning to you?”

“I remember. She’s off limits to me…I was not to touch her. I swear I never meant to…”

“Relax Luka, here in the past few weeks I’ve been thinking. My sister will always be my baby sister to me, but she’s getting older…I know that. She needs a husband and I knew when I began thinking I had the perfect man for that job. I need you to know that when I first warned you my I meant it. Now that my father’s dead, everything has changed with that.”

“What exactly are you saying?” I asked.

“I’m not saying I’m okay with knowing Anna’s no longer a virgin and taken by none other than my best friend, but she’s happy. I want you to marry Anna. She deserves to be happy after all the shit she’s been through.”

“But what about Vladimir?”

“Fuck Vladimir, he’ll get over it. He’s just jealous what you and Anna have…a connection like him and my mother used to have.”

“Wait, how long have you known about us?”

“Long enough to know you’re in love with her. You wouldn’t be sitting here breathing if I didn’t think you cared about her.”

“What about the little drama show in the dining room?” He was confusing the hell out of me right now. This wasn’t the same Nikolai I grew up with. This was somebody entirely different. He took off his jacket and started loosening his tie.

“Whoa, what the hell are you doing? I don’t want to see you naked.” He rolled up his sleeves and smirked.

“Come at me, brother. “ He grinned.

“Are you insane?! Please tell me you’re not high…have you been sampling the shipments?” I spluttered.

“No, I’m not high. A little buzzed from the alcohol, but definitely not high. Hit me.” He pushed.

“I’m not going to hit...” Pain spread through my nose. “What the hell?!”

“I said hit me.”

Fine by me, I’ll make your wish come true.

I reared back and clocked him in the jaw. “That all you got?” He asked taunting me. I shoved him to the wall and punched him again with more force. He shoved me back and punched my jaw.

“Stop, what the fuck is this?” I asked breathing heavily.

He punched me again in the eye this time. “Just work with me, brother.”

“You’re fucking insane. Just stop and tell me what this is.” I said blocking his punch and shoved him back.

I heard a knock making him grin. “Come in.” He grabbed me and hugged me whispering in my ear. “You will always be my brother. It was all just a show for my sister. Why do you think I picked you of all people to protect her? It was always you, Luka. I give you my blessing, but remember you hurt her…I’ll kill you.”

“Holy shit, this…this was all a test…to see if I actually loved her. You fucking asshole. The whole fucking time?” I playfully punched his shoulder.

“Not the whole time, just for a while. As for the drama in the dining room, I’m a good actor.”

We pulled away and both winced from the shrill scream. “No! If you kill him, you’ll have to kill me. So, do it. You will kill me and my baby.“

I pulled her by the waist and whispered. “Shhh baby girl, everything is fine.”

“Everything is not fine. You’re bleeding and he’s going to kill you.” She hissed.

“Anna, I assure you everything is just fine. Why don’t you and Luka go upstairs and rest? We’ll talk more in the morning. You, Luka, Vladimir, and I have much to discuss…mother too.”

I looked back to see Nikolai mouthing. “Take care of her, brother and my niece or nephew.”

***

“Oh god, I was so worried for you.” She clutched onto my shirt.

“Shhh, it’s all over now.” I pressed her against the bathroom wall and pulled the straps off her shoulders. Her dress fell to the floor as she peered up with lust hooded eyes.

She began to undress me tracing her nails against my skin. I unclipped her bra throwing it to the side and cupped her breasts. “Let me clean you, Luka.”

I stepped out of my pants and let her go fetch a cloth, but she bit her lip. She slid off her panties and bent over starting the shower. She stepped under the water and let it run down her body. I tugged on my boxers and slid in behind her. “You going to wash my face so I can kiss you.” She leaned hitting the tile allowing me to get under the water. She grabbed the rag and washed me.

“Was you serious when you told your brother you’re pregnant? I grabbed her hips pressed our bodies closer together.

“Well, we haven’t been exactly safe. I could be.” She shrugged her shoulders.

“If you aren’t now, you will be before this week is over. We don’t have to hide anymore.” I wrapped her legs around me and crashed my lips against her.

“What to you mean?”

“It means I have your brother’s blessing to be with you. Not that it would matter…nothing could take you away from me. I would find my way back to you.”

I finally have what I always desired, and nobody can take that away. Not even Vladimir that smug mother fucker. Me and him will have words I’m sure of it, but right now I’m going to make love to my baby girl.

The way Nikolai acted in his office all made sense now. He wanted Anna to think he was angry, but in reality he really wasn’t. It seemed like the only person under this roof who was against us was Vladimir.

Sorry Vladimir, you lose.

Game over.

I had a feeling tomorrow was going to be interesting. And I still had that lingering question running through my head.

Was Anna carrying my child, or wasn’t she?

I would definitely be giving her a pregnancy test tomorrow just to be sure.

And if she wasn’t, I would have to remedy that.

I smiled as I held her in my arms letting exhaustion take over.