Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Andrei
I found Lilith at the hospital. She was ghost-white, hunched in a plastic chair at the far end of the corridor, elbows on her knees, hands pressed to her forehead, hair falling in messy curtains around her shoulders.
The second she saw me, tears spilled down her face. She ducked her head, swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, then looked up at me again and again—like she was afraid I might disappear.
I'd never seen her so fragile. Like a porcelain doll in a shop window. One touch and she'd shatter. And the pieces would lodge themselves in my chest, twisting my gut into knots.
"I'm sorry, Lilith." I closed the distance and pulled her into my arms. "I should've been here sooner."
"No."
She curled into me, shaking her head, hands covering her face as she cried. "Mr. Volkov, you came just in time. If it weren't for you, my sister... I don't know how to thank you..."
"Not now."
I rubbed her back until she stopped trembling, until her body went slack against mine. "Relax. Patel's a good doctor. And I'm here. Your sister's going to be fine."
Elena's surgery lasted over four hours.
When the red light above the OR doors finally went dark, Lilith shot out of my arms.
Dr. Patel pushed through the doors, mask pulled down to his chin, face tired but relaxed.
"Surgery was a success. Better than expected, actually. Cardiac function's improving. She'll be in the ICU for six hours—if there are no complications, we'll move her to a regular room. Let her rest for now."
Lilith's hand flew to her mouth. Her shoulders jerked twice. Then she turned and buried her face in my chest, fingers gripping my coat. "She's okay," she choked out. Tears soaked through my shirt, warm and wet against my skin. I rubbed her back. Didn't say anything.
She needed to let it out.
After three minutes, she stopped on her own. Wiped her face with her sleeve. Her nose was red, mascara smudged into faint shadows under her eyes.
She stepped back half a pace, staring down at where her hand had crumpled my collar.
"Your coat..." Her voice was hoarse. She touched the damp spot on my chest. "I'm sorry. I ruined it."
"It'll dry."
Her stomach let out a quiet growl. Her face went crimson. She pressed a hand to her belly, eyes darting everywhere but at me.
"Hungry?"
She nodded shyly. "A little."
"Come on. Let's get you something to eat."
The hospital cafeteria was down to one counter—fast food only. I bought two sandwiches and two coffees and carried the tray to a table across from her.
She ate in small, delicate bites, but fast. Polished off the first sandwich in minutes.
I slid mine over. She didn't argue. Just picked it up and kept eating.
When she finished, I handed her a napkin.
"Your sister's going to be fine. The doctor said the surgery went better than expected." I leaned forward. "Don't worry about the cost. I'm covering everything from here on out."
Her fingers froze on the napkin.
"You already paid for the surgery. I can't let you pay for more."
"To me, it's the cost of lunch."
Her mouth fell open. Then, slowly, she smiled.
"You're just trying to make me feel better. But thank you. Really."
Lilith smiled softly, dimples appearing on both cheeks. A moment later, she seemed to make up her mind. "Mr. Volkov, I've thought about it. The marriage..."
"Little princess, I don't buy brides."
She blinked. "What?"
"I said I don't buy brides." I leaned closer. When she started to look away, I lifted her chin with one finger, forcing her eyes to mine. "I need you to tell me something." I tapped my chest, right over my heart. "Tell me you don't feel anything for me. Tell me you don't want to marry me."
"Little princess. Answer me." I smiled. I'd given her a choice. But I knew the answer. She felt it too. And even if she didn't—she was already mine.
"I... but I..." She hesitated. I let go and leaned back. "Of course, you still have time to think. But today's the last day, Lilith. I'm looking forward to your answer."
"Thank you." She exhaled in relief, nodding seriously. "I'll think it over and give you an answer. But either way, I'll pay you back for my sister's treatment."
"It might just take me a while. I'll probably need to find a new job first."
"New job? Didn't you just start your internship?"
The mood shifted. She went quiet for a few seconds, then dropped her gaze.
"My boss..." She paused. "He's probably going to fire me."
"Why?"
Lilith shook her head, struggling.
She kept her lashes lowered and wouldn't say more. Her brown eyes were still bright with unshed tears.
"Did he hurt you?" My muscles locked. Rage flared. "The mark on your face—did he do that?" I'd noticed the red streak earlier. Thought she'd just been careless in her rush. But now—
Damn him.
I set down my coffee. The cup clinked against the plastic tray.
"No, I wasn't careful." Lilith grabbed my hand, holding tight. "I'm fine. Don't be angry."
"Besides, I'm too good for him anyway. A trash boss doesn't deserve talent like me." She winked, forcing a smile.
"Of course he doesn't." No. And more importantly—he didn't deserve to keep breathing.
"I'll handle it."
"What do you mean? Handle it how?" She tilted her head, then stuffed the rest of her sandwich in her mouth, cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk hoarding nuts.
I smiled. She had these little habits—unconscious, adorable—that sent warmth rippling through my chest. Cooled the anger down.
"You'll see." I texted Dmitri. A minute later, Lilith shrieked.
"Andrei?"
"Yeah?"
"One million dollars??" She flipped her phone around. The transfer notification glowed on the screen. Her hand shook. "You sent this? Are you serious?"
"Yes. You don't need to work for the next week."
"You're joking. This is more than I'd make in—this has too many zeros."
"I'm not."
She sucked in a breath. "You can't do this. It's too much. I have to give it back. Just tell me your account number. I'll send it right now."
"Don't. Consider it a gift for my future wife."
Her words caught in her throat. Her mouth opened, closed, opened again. "I haven't said yes yet."
"I know your answer."
Her face went red. She huffed. "You're so full of yourself!"
I laughed, reached over, and pinched her cheek lightly. Her skin was soft, yielding under my fingers. Her lips puckered. "All right. You've been holding yourself together for too long. You're exhausted."
"Your sister's stable now. You can rest." I stood, taking her hand. "Come on. I'll show you to a room."
Lilith blinked, then nodded and followed.
The VIP suite reserved for Elena had a guest room attached. Clean bed, quiet space. Lilith climbed in obediently, her rigid posture finally softening.
Before she closed her eyes, she mumbled, "Just five minutes. Wake me when my sister's up."
I nodded. Two minutes later, her breathing evened out.
I pulled out my phone and messaged Dmitri.
"Find out everything about Lilith's boss. I want a full report by tomorrow."
He replied instantly. "Got it. Also—the Irish intercepted one of our shipments. Route was internal only."
I stared at the message.
Internal leak meant a traitor. Not unusual. But every time it happened, I had to dig them out and eliminate them.
"Start with the low-level handlers. A small hit like this doesn't smell like upper management, but don't rule it out. Watch the Irish—and anyone on our side with unusual cash flow lately."
I hit send, then darkened the screen.
Lilith mumbled something in her sleep. I couldn't make it out, but it sounded like my name. I tucked the blanket around her. Her body was warm, soft.
My gaze traveled from her lashes to her nose, then to her parted lips. She looked defenseless in sleep, mouth slightly open, edge of her teeth just visible.
My throat bobbed. I'd kissed that mouth. Hell, I'd kissed nearly every inch of her. Just thinking about it made my body react.
Her breasts had been soft as cream in my mouth, warm and fragrant. Her pink little pussy had been slick under my tongue, dripping honey...
My hand tightened on the blanket. Slowly, I reached for her hair.
My phone buzzed.
Dmitri again. "Boss, our source says Declan's been asking around about you. A lot."
My chest tightened. Declan. That snake. Ruthless Irish mob boss. Old enemy.
"What's he after?"
"Still digging. Probably the West Side territory."
My jaw clenched. That rat wanted another bite out of me. I had to stay sharp. But to take him out completely, I'd need the right excuse—something that wouldn't start a war between the other families.
On the bed, Lilith rolled over, breathing softly. I looked at her sleeping face. My chest loosened.
"Keep watching Declan. Report anything unusual.
And scrub all hospital surveillance that shows me.
Wipe the payment records tied to Lilith—nothing traces back to me.
As of now, she can't be linked to the Volkov name in any system.
Also, tell the others—don't mention our real business in front of your boss's future wife. "
"Understood."
I turned off the screen and looked down at Lilith. She was curled up on the narrow guest bed like a tired little animal, small and innocent. She had no idea what my world was.
She didn't know my name took up three pages in an FBI file.
If she knew the man sitting by her bed ran guns, loan sharking, underground casinos, and worse—things she wouldn't even want to hear the names of—
Would she still bury her face in my chest and cry?
It took me three seconds to decide. Lilith couldn't know I was a pakhan. Not yet. She was skittish. If she found out now, she'd run. If I told her at all, it'd be after she became my wife. Or at least—after my enemies were dealt with.
I looked away, focused on the ceiling light. The bulb was old, flickering every few seconds like a tired eye blinking.
Dr. Patel came by hours later, nurses wheeling a bed behind him. Elena lay on it, face pale.
"Patient Elena Sanchez. Post-op vitals stable. Transferring to VIP room 309 for observation and recovery."
I woke Lilith. Her eyes blinked several times before they focused.
"Your sister's awake."
She bolted upright.
Elena's room was right next door. I walked with Lilith to the bedside.
Elena was pale, lips chapped, oxygen tube in her nose. But her eyes were open. Deep brown, moving slowly until they landed on Lilith.
"Elena!" Lilith bent down, gently taking Elena's hand. The IV needle was taped to the back, veins visible under thin skin.
"Hey..." Elena's voice was faint.
"I'm here. I'm right here." Lilith's eyes filled again.
She brushed damp hair off Elena's forehead, touch feather-light.
Then she dipped a cotton swab in water and carefully moistened Elena's cracked lips.
"Thirsty? The doctor said you can't drink yet. But this should help." Her voice was soft, gentle—nothing like the way she talked to me.
Elena nodded weakly, lips moving. I didn't catch it.
Lilith leaned in close, listened, then laughed through her tears.
"I didn't starve myself. Don't worry." She sniffled. "You're the one in bed. I should be worrying about you."
Elena's eyes shifted toward the door. Landed on me.
Her expression was complicated. I knew what she was thinking—strange man, her little sister, questions.
But I stayed where I was. Lilith should explain.
"Elena, this is Andrei." Lilith followed her sister's gaze, then glanced at me, suddenly nervous. "He's... he's my fiancé. We wouldn't have made it through today without him."
She looked down, a little embarrassed. Hearing her say it sent warmth flooding through me.
I knew she'd choose me. But I hadn't expected her to claim me in front of her sister.
Elena's face registered shock.
I stepped forward. "I'm Andrei Volkov. Lily and I are together. I'll take care of her. You have my word."
Elena's face—so similar to Lilith's, but paler—softened into a faint smile. She nodded at me, then tugged Lilith's sleeve and closed her eyes.
Lilith's attention snapped back. She bent down, adjusting Elena's blanket.
She tucked the corners under the mattress, adjusted the pillow height so Elena's head was slightly elevated.
Then she tested Elena's forehead with the back of her hand and finally relaxed.
I watched her for a moment. The light caught her profile and made it glow. When she smiled, her eyes curved into crescents. Beautiful. I walked over and gave her ass a light swat. She yelped softly and glanced at Elena—who had opened her eyes again.
Lilith turned red as a boiled lobster. She almost shoved me.
"All right. I'm leaving. Get some rest." I smiled.
They both nodded. Sisters in sync.
I walked to the end of the hall and called Dmitri.
"Transfer Elena Sanchez to NewYork-Presbyterian. Best cardiac unit, best care team. I want it done by morning."
"Boss, it's eleven p.m."
"I know."
"Fine." Keyboard clicks on the other end. "Oh, and Oleg's mess is cleaned up. The three-hundred-K gap's covered. Assistant manager's running the casino for now. No more problems so far."
"Keep watching. Anything unusual, report directly to me."
I hung up.
After dinner at home, I stood at the floor-to-ceiling window in my study. Manhattan's skyline stretched out under the night sky, lights scattered like diamonds on black velvet. The view was beautiful. But it felt incomplete. Like someone was missing.
I fell asleep.
The next day, Sergei came by—covering for Dmitri, who hadn't gotten out of bed yet. He brought financial reports from my properties, plus a full dossier on Gray Advertising and its owner, Thomas Gray.
Sergei was young, sharp, loyal. One of my most trusted. In his thirties. Efficient as hell.
"So what happened to Lilith at her company?" I drummed my fingers on the armrest. Running out of patience.
"Miss Sanchez's boss, Thomas Gray, tried to assault her in his office. Slapped her. She ran."
Every word tightened the line of my jaw. By the end, I was crushing the wine glass in my hand.
"Son of a bitch."
Hatred flooded my vision. In my mind, I'd already torn Thomas Gray to pieces.
How dare he?
How dare he touch Lilith?
Scum.
This was exactly why I ordered my men never to hurt women. Only cowards did that.
When I came back to myself, the glass had shattered. Red liquid—wine or blood, I couldn't tell—dripped down my palm.
"Get rid of Thomas Gray. Cut off the hand that touched her. And make sure he never shows his face near Lilith again." My voice was cold, controlled fury.