Chapter 54

Branna

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There is a moment of silence as it sinks in. Then Alexei groans, lowering his head into his hands. 

This is it. Now Alexei is definitely turning us in. There is no amicable way for us to deal with the situation now. There will definitely be some serious repercussions, one way or another at this point, and there is no need for Alexei to suffer repercussions because of something that I did. Yes, he also broke the purity rules by having sex with Anastasia, and most likely many others over the years, but he is a man and the rules work differently for him. It’s why he was able to date in high school and sleep around to his heart’s content. He doesn’t have to be pure, and when the son of a Russian Bratva boss sleeps around, everyone turns a blind eye. When the daughter of a O’Sullivan boss tries to get involved with someone, it’s dishonor, disgrace, and a good reason to pummel her lover into a bloody pulp.

It is simple and as old as time itself. I have—or rather, had—a virginity to protect and he did not.

So even though both of us committed the same transgression against the engagement clause of the peace treaty, only I will be punished for it if he turns me in. And Cooper. But Alexei and Anastasia would come out unscathed. If Alexei turns us in, he not only won’t be disenfranchised, dishonored, and exiled, but he also won’t have to marry me.

It’s an almost ideal situation for him, minus the fact of the massive blood feud renewal that is about to erupt because of me. But that will happen either way.

I count the seconds until he jumps up for the door. My throat is starting to close up. I know I can take him, he’s bigger but I fight smarter and know that the decorative fire iron on the wall may not come with a fireplace, but sure as hell is as heavy and spiked as the real deal. I also know that Alexei leaving would spell doom for us, but I really, really don’t want to kill a man tonight. Even if it’s Alexei. And if I don’t, Cooper will. This isn’t his battle to fight, that’s not fair to him.

Cooper jumps up and I follow. His biceps tense in anticipation as he curls his hands into fists. His sleeves of ink ripple on his skin as his muscles flex for action.

But instead of jumping up, Alexei settles deeper into his seat, spreading his knees further apart and folding his hands like he’s already a mob boss and discussing strategy with his underlings. “Chill, let’s not do anything rash,” he says, calmly. “We have to figure this out. But I’m not going to try to make a break for it. I’m not turning you guys in. We just...we just have to think. This really complicates things, of course.”

I am surprised, but relieved. Cooper seems skeptical. Instead of sitting back down, he pulls the loveseat over to the door, barricading us into the room. Only then does he sit down, pulling me down on his lap with an arm curled possessively around me.

“And don’t think about the windows,” said Cooper. “Or do, if you want. That makes this easier for me. It’s a long drop and I know I won’t shed a tear if they’re scraping you off the sidewalk.”

Alexei narrows his eyes and leans forward, looking Cooper up and down. Then, visibly regaining control of his aggression, he settles back into his seat, like he hadn’t just been slighted.

“Okay. Well, let’s all just think rationally about our options, then. So marriage isn’t an option. Or maybe we could cut you—” Cooper snarls and Alexei tenses his jaw, uncurling instantly balled fists, “—or cut me, and they won’t be able to tell the difference.”

“I’m not marrying you, Alexei.” I say it coldly, my hands curling into fists at my sides.

Alexei throws his hands up. “I know, you’re right, we’re not getting married. You’re with this guy. But we have to come up with some solution, because my ass is on the line here, too. I go back without you and my guts are decorating the sidewalk.”

“We can’t turn ourselves in or Cooper and I are dead. You can’t go back without me or your life is fucked,” I summarize. “So we only have one option.”

“Branna and I will get new identities,” Cooper said, “Join us if you want, or handle yourself.”

“You think the government isn’t in bed with the kings of the street?” Alexei scoffs. “Politicians are each dirtier than the next.”

“I didn’t say anything about going to the government, did I?” Cooper says. “I will take care of it. We’re leaving tomorrow, join us or don’t.”

Alexei shakes his head. “Look, man, even if you can get new identities for us that the mafia can’t crack and can’t bribe some government official to leak, I can’t go.”

“And why not?” I ask. Is he really going to whine about starting over, because he won’t have his fancy toys anymore? Grow up.

But what he says next is far from what I expected.

“Anastasia is pregnant,” Alexei says, holding his head in his hands. “With my baby.”