Chapter 16 #2
“She doesn’t know about my intentions yet.
I wanted to discuss the practical aspects with you first to understand what kind of timeline and challenges we’re facing.
” I unlock my car, suddenly eager to return to the estate and the woman waiting there.
“I think she’ll support the decision though.
She’s never been comfortable with the illegal aspects of my business. ”
He grunts. “True, but she might also be concerned about the financial implications of walking away from such profitable operations.”
“The legitimate businesses generate enough income to support a family, even a large one. I have investments and savings that could fund new ventures if necessary.” Money has never been the primary motivation for my involvement in organized crime.
Power and control drove those choices more than financial need. I’m rich enough already.
We stand beside our cars in the shadow of Mikhail’s latest attack, and I feel the strange sensation of looking backward and forward simultaneously. Behind us lies the wreckage of one phase of my life. Ahead lies the uncertain prospect of building something entirely different.
“I need time to think about this.” Timur opens his car door, pausing before getting inside. “Taking over operational control of your organization is a significant decision that affects my own future though I have no family.” He seems relieved by that.
“Take all the time you need. This conversation doesn’t change anything about our immediate priorities or tactical planning.
” I slide into my own driver’s seat, already mentally reviewing the intelligence reports waiting at the estate.
“We still need to end Mikhail’s campaign before I can focus on anything else. ”
The drive back through Charleston’s late afternoon traffic gives me time to process the conversation and its implications. Voicing my intentions to Timur makes them feel real, more inevitable, and more frightening than when they existed only in my private thoughts.
Seven children. The number continues to astound me every time I consider what it means in practical terms. I need to understand and nurture seven distinct personalities, each with their own needs, dreams, and challenges, giving me seven powerful reasons to become a better person than I am today.
By the time I reach the estate, the sun is setting over the gardens. I find Willa in the kitchen with Alina, both women preparing what appears to be a casual dinner that smells of herbs and comfort.
“How was your day?” She looks up from chopping vegetables, and I notice the fatigue around her eyes that’s become her constant companion.
“Productive. Timur and I surveyed the warehouse damage and began planning our response.” I join them at the large island. “How are you feeling?”
“Better than this morning. The nausea seems to come in waves rather than being constant now.” She sets down her knife and moves into my arms, her body warm and solid against mine. “I missed you.”
The simple admission makes my chest tighten with emotions I’m still learning to navigate. “I missed you too.”
Alina continues her food preparation, giving us space for affection while maintaining the comfortable rhythm of shared tasks. The scene feels like something from a different life, where dinners are planned around preference rather than security concerns.
“There’s something I want to discuss with you later tonight.” I press a kiss to her temple, breathing in the scent of her hair. “It’s nothing urgent or alarming. I just have some thoughts about our future.”
She’s tense when she wasn’t moments before. “Good thoughts or concerning thoughts?”
“Good thoughts. Very good thoughts, actually.” I let go of her so she can return to her vegetable preparation. “They can wait until after dinner.”
We work together to finish meal preparation, and I study the easy way she moves through tasks, the careful attention she pays to details, and the quiet contentment that settles over her when she feels useful and productive. These are the moments I want to protect and multiply.
During dinner, conversation flows naturally between business updates, pregnancy symptoms, and plans for restructuring two existing guest rooms into one larger one to form a nursery while converting two smaller rooms to resting rooms for our friends and the nannies we’ll need to hire to care for all seven properly.
The mundane topics feel precious in their ordinariness, offering glimpses of the life we could build if I successfully navigate the transition from criminal empire to legitimate family business.
After dinner, Alina enters the small dining room to claim our dishes so she can clean while Willa and I move to my office for the conversation I’ve been anticipating all evening.
She settles into the chair across from my desk, obviously curious and slightly apprehensive about what I want to discuss.
“You talked about being terrified of the future and everything that could go wrong with the pregnancy and delivery.” I settle back in my chair, studying her face for reactions.
“I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about the same concerns, and I’ve reached some conclusions about how to address them. ”
She looks wary. “What kind of conclusions?”
“I want to leave this life. Not immediately, but eventually. I want to build something legitimate and safe for you and our children.” The words feel momentous as I speak them aloud to her for the first time.
“I want to cash out of illegal operations and invest in businesses that won’t endanger our family. ”
Her expression shifts through several stages of surprise, hope, and concern. “Is that possible? Can you just walk away from organized crime?”
“It’s complicated and will take time, probably months or even a year to execute properly.
But yes, it’s possible with careful planning and the right support structure.
” I lean forward, wanting her to understand how seriously I’ve considered this decision.
“The question is whether you want that kind of future with me.”
“Of course I want that. I want our children to grow up safe, with a father who doesn’t have to worry about rival syndicates or federal investigations.” She pauses, clearly processing the implications. “What does it mean for your organization though, and for the people who depend on you?”
“Timur would take operational control, assuming he agrees to that level of responsibility. The organization would continue under new leadership while I focus on family and legitimate business interests.” I pause for a moment.
“It wouldn’t be completely different, but it would take some of the danger and risk out of it. ”
She stands up and moves to the window overlooking the gardens. “What needs to happen first?”
“We need to resolve the situation with Mikhail. I can’t focus on long-term restructuring while he’s actively trying to destroy everything we’ve built.
” The practical concerns reassert themselves even in the middle of this hopeful conversation.
“That means escalating our response to his attacks and ending this conflict decisively.”
“How long do you think that will take?”
“Probably months, depending on how quickly we can locate and neutralize his key operations.” I join her at the window, wrapping my arms around her from behind. “Once that’s resolved, we can begin building the kind of future we want for our family.”
She leans back against my chest, and I feel some of the tension leave her shoulders. “It sounds almost too good to be true.”
“Good things are possible, Willa. Maybe not easy, but possible with enough planning and commitment.” I turn her in my arms so she’s facing me.
“I want to build something beautiful with you.” I kiss her softly, tasting hope and possibility on her lips.
“These babies are going to change everything about our lives. I want those changes to be positive ones.”
Later that night, as we lie together in the darkness of our shared bedroom, I listen to her breathing deepen into sleep and think about the conversation with Timur, the plans taking shape in my mind, and the woman whose love has rewritten all my priorities.
Seven children will demand the best version of myself I can become as a man who protects without dominating, provides without controlling, and loves without possessing. The transformation required feels both impossible and inevitable.