The Mafia's Temporary Bride: Chapters 1–5

Deep breaths. Inhale and exhale.

Camilla May McKenna could handle this. After all, she was an actress—keeping her cool in difficult situations was practically her job. But this wasn’t a scene on set.

Today, she wasn’t just observing; she was about to catch her best friend's lying boyfriend red-handed.

Vanya—charming, sleek, and slippery as an eel. Camilla had warned Faye a thousand times, but her best friend refused to listen. If Vanya was cheating, Faye deserved to know.

And today, Camilla was going to prove it.

She adjusted her pink lipstick in the boutique’s mirror and fluffed her hair. This wasn’t how she planned to spend her day—she had been here to shop in peace—but then he walked in with another woman. The gall of him.

Camilla slipped her phone into her coat pocket and made her way out of the bathroom.

Her heart pounded as she descended the stairs, every step quieter than the last. If she could catch him now, Faye would finally see Vanya for the cheat he really was.

Her phone buzzed in her hand. Faye. Camilla ignored the call, knowing her friend would just ask where she was—when the answer wasn’t something she could explain right now.

She paused on the last step. There he was. Tall, dark-haired, leaning against a counter with an air of complete arrogance.

His hand rested on the shoulder of the boutique assistant, and the casual way he smirked made Camilla's blood boil. How could Faye not see through him?

Camilla pulled out her phone, the camera poised to capture everything. But as she focused the lens, something caught her off guard—his eyes. They locked onto her with unsettling intensity.

This wasn’t just guilt or surprise. There was something sharper, colder, as if he wasn’t just annoyed—he was angry. Dangerous, even.

She forced herself to hold steady, but her heart pounded. Focus, Camilla. Get the evidence and go.

Before she could hit record, the man’s voice sliced through the air.

“Ubiraysya,” he commanded, his tone cold as steel. The assistant scurried away, leaving Camilla standing there, her phone trembling in her grip.

“Give me the phone,” he said, his voice dangerously calm. He straightened his jacket, adjusting his cuffs as if this was just another business deal.

Camilla blinked, the adrenaline rushing through her veins. "Excuse me?"

“You’re recording me,” he stated, his eyes narrowing. “Give. Me. The phone.”

Her grip tightened on the device. Not a chance. “No.”

His lips curled into a smirk, something wicked flashing in his eyes. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way, kot. Your choice."

One word echoed in Camilla’s mind: Run.

Without waiting for another word, she spun around and bolted down the hallway, her heels clicking furiously on the polished floor. Her heart thundered in her chest as footsteps pounded behind her.

He was faster than she expected, the distance between them closing rapidly.

“Is this the game you want to play?” His voice taunted her from behind, dark amusement lacing every word. “You can’t outrun me.”

Camilla pushed harder, darting down another hallway, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Focus. Find a way out.

But before she could make her escape, his hand clamped down on her arm, yanking her backward. The force nearly knocked the air out of her lungs.

She twisted, trying to free herself, but his grip was iron.

“You should have handed me the phone,” he growled, his face inches from hers, his eyes gleaming with cold menace. He didn’t raise his voice, but the threat in his tone was unmistakable.

Camilla’s pulse raced as she glared at him. This man seems too dangerous to be fallen in love for her friend.

He crouched, his grip still tight on her wrist, and calmly sifted through her bag, pulling out her phone. He glanced at the screen, then back at her with a chilling smile.

“You think you can mess with me, kot? You’ve made a big mistake.”

Before Camilla could reply, he threw her phone to the ground and stomped down hard, the sound of shattering glass echoing in the empty hallway.

“Are you insane?!” she shouted, struggling against his hold, but he didn’t flinch.

“You should have run faster,” he replied coldly, his eyes flashing with dark amusement.

Camilla’s breath hitched. This was no ordinary confrontation—she had stepped into something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And now, she was trapped with a man who wasn’t about to let her off easy.

As he took a step forward and grabbed her wrists, Camilla caught her breath, but before she could react, he said, “Now, you're coming with me.”

No!!!

Camilla’s heart pounded in her chest as she yanked her wrist free from his grasp, her breath shallow and panicked. She didn’t wait for another word.

Her instincts kicked in, and she bolted toward the boutique’s back exit, her heels echoing off the polished floors.

“Run, kot, but you won’t get far,” his voice called after her, laced with cold amusement.

She shoved open the door, the cool air hitting her like a slap in the face. Move. Don’t stop.

Camilla darted into the street behind the boutique, her pulse racing, the shadows of the buildings closing in around her.

She could still feel his eyes on her, his presence looming even though he wasn’t behind her anymore. He let me go—but why?

Her thoughts spiraled as she ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had no idea what she had stumbled into, but it was more than just catching a cheating boyfriend. This was something darker. She had to tell Faye!

As she neared the street, she spotted the familiar black sedan parked by the curb. Relief flooded through her as her driver Alvin stepped out of the car, his expression shifting to concern the moment he saw her.

“Miss McKenna!” Alvin hurried toward her, opening the back door. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”

“No time—just drive!” Camilla gasped, practically throwing herself into the car. Alvin wasted no time, slamming the door shut behind her and rushing back to the driver’s seat.

The tires screeched as they sped off, leaving the street—and the man—far behind.

Camilla slumped back against the leather seat, her chest heaving, her mind spinning. She glanced out of the rearview mirror, half-expecting him to appear, chasing after them.

But all she saw was the empty street fading into the distance.

“What happened back there?” Alvin asked, his voice calm but his eyes darting to her in the rearview mirror.

“I... I don’t know,” Camilla muttered, running a trembling hand through her hair. “Just... get me out of here. Take me to Faye.”

Alvin nodded, understanding the urgency in her voice.

He drove in silence, navigating the city streets with practiced ease, but Camilla couldn’t shake the feeling that she was still being watched, that the man’s cold gaze was lingering, even from miles away.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breathing, when her phone buzzed in her bag. Confused, she pulled out her backup phone—the one she rarely used. The screen lit up with a message from Faye:

"Where are you, Camilla? You’re supposed to be here! Vanya’s waiting. Please hurry!"

Camilla’s heart stopped. Vanya! Was this why the man stopped chasing after her? She had just barely escaped the man, who was far more dangerous than her friend could ever imagine, and now Faye was walking straight into him…

Her fingers trembled as she quickly typed: "He’s a terrorist! I’m coming!"

She hit send, her mind racing. If she didn’t get to Faye in time, who knew what would happen?

* * *GLOSSARY* * *

Ubiraysya: Get out

Kot: Cat.

Podlyy kot: Sneaky cat

Faye was already at the restaurant when Camilla arrived.

As she approached, she saw Faye sitting at a round table with one other person—his back to Camilla. Vanya. Of course, the terrorist hadn’t even bothered to change out of his black suit.

She stormed over, ignoring the murmur of diners and the curious glances as she dropped her bag onto the table with a loud thud. Let's see him pretend now. She thought.

Faye looked up with a bright smile, oblivious to the tension. “Hey—”

Camilla didn’t give her a chance to finish, her fingers trembling with anger. This man thought he could play me?

Vanya turned, frowning slightly, but there was no sign of recognition in his eyes. His hair, still perfectly styled, glistened under the dim lighting.

He smiled politely, cool and collected, as if he hadn’t just terrorized her hours earlier.

“Hi, Camilla.” He had that accent, but his voice sounded airier. Was it possible for voices to change in hours? “I’ve heard a lot about you. Faye talks about her best friend all the time.”

Camilla clenched her fists, her blood boiling. Was he really going to act like nothing happened?

“Really?” she snapped, glaring at him. “You’re going to pretend like we didn’t see each other earlier today? That you didn’t smash my phone?”

Vanya’s brow furrowed in confusion, but his lips curled into a smirk. He flicked his hair back and leaned forward, shutting the menu with a soft click. “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.

Faye and I have been here all evening. You must be confused.”

Confused? Was this all an act? Camilla’s heart raced as she struggled to piece it together. Was he really going to pretend this never happened? The same cold menace she had faced hours ago had to be hidden behind that smile.

He wasn’t innocent—he couldn’t be.

“Is this acting?” she asked, her voice dangerously low.

“Cam, what are you talking about?” Faye tugged at her arm, her face pale with embarrassment.

Camilla ignored her, her eyes fixed on Vanya. He’s lying. He’s pretending. She wouldn’t let him get away with this. Without a second thought, she grabbed the nearest glass—a cold, red drink—and emptied it over Vanya’s head.

The liquid soaked his hair, dripping down his face and into his suit.

Vanya’s mouth fell open in shock, his hand frozen midair as he tried to wipe the drink from his face. Camilla bit into the cucumber slice she had removed from the glass, savoring the moment. This was payback for her phone.

“Are you insane?!” Faye’s scream pierced through the moment, her eyes wide as she watched Camilla’s every move.

Around them, the restaurant erupted into murmurs. People pulled out their phones, the flashes of cameras capturing the moment, but Camilla didn’t care. Let them take pictures. Let the world see this.

“Apologize!” Faye demanded, her voice trembling with fury. “Now, Camilla!”

Camilla turned to her best friend, pointing an accusatory finger at Vanya. “If anyone owes an apology, it’s that man,” she growled. “He’s the one who’s insane. He’s a beast, Faye.”

“Apologize. To. Him,” Faye insisted, her voice cold. The cameras were still rolling, but neither of them paid attention. This was about something bigger now.

“Never! I am protecting you!” Heaven would open before Camilla apologized. She snatched her bag off the table, making sure to smack it across Vanya’s forehead.

“Get the fuck out of here!” Camilia opened her eyes wide, unable to believe that her friend would let her leave for this dangerous man. Heartbroken, she stormed out of the place with red eyes.

Camilla barely heard Alvin’s polite greeting as she threw herself into the back seat of the car. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her mind racing from the confrontation.

“Are women stupid?” she muttered, more to herself than to Alvin.

“Some of them, ma’am,” Alvin replied, his voice calm as always.

“Faye is stupid,” Camilla declared, leaning back into the seat. How could her friend not trust her? Her phone was destroyed, and her dignity had taken a hit. But she wasn’t done. Not by a long shot.

“Take me home.”

Alvin started the car, and the familiar hum of the engine did little to soothe her rattled nerves.

When she finally reached her apartment, she slumped onto the couch, hugging a throw pillow to her chest. She wasn’t sure how much time passed before a sharp slap on her back startled her.

Faye stood at the other end of the room, her fists clenched and her lips set in a thin line.

“What the hell was that about? You made me and Vanya embarrassed!” Faye’s voice was low, dangerous, the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

“Look, I’ve been trying to tell you,” she replied. On her feet, she reached for Faye, who jumped back. “I saw him today at the store. Before you messaged me. He was—”

Faye stretched out her hand. “Evidence?”

“I don’t have that because he took my phone before I could leave,” Camilla tried to explain. “He even pulled my hair. He’s a violent man.

“I don’t know how you cope. So Vanya took your phone and he pulled your hair.?” Faye began, listing out his offense on her fingers.

“Yes. Did you break up with him?” Disgust curled Faye’s lips as she eyed her best friend. “You have no right to do this!” Without a word, she stormed to her room. Faye was stuffing clothes into her bag.

“What are you doing?” Camilla asked from the door. “Faye, stop. What are you doing?”

“You know, I wonder if it’s because you let me stay here rent free that makes you think you can butt into my life.” Pointing a shaky finger at Camilla, she continued, “You are no longer my friend, EVER!”

Faye left.

Camilia struggled to keep the tears at bay as she sank down to the floor, her legs folded underneath her. She just broke up with her best friend for that damn man! What should she do now? A revenge?

To escape from where Faye and her lived, Camilla had spent the last few days holed up at her brother KJ’s place, still fuming over the fight with Faye. The lighthearted banter she usually enjoyed with KJ couldn’t distract her from the gnawing pit in her stomach.

She had been right about Vanya all along, but it had cost her the most important friendship in her life.

KJ finally returned from outside, tossing his jacket onto the chair as he walked in. “You still here? How is it going? You and Faye?” her brother asked.

“She’s still not picking my calls or replying my text.”

His eyes narrowed. “Camilla. Let’s say you’re right about her boyfriend of what you told me before. So, what’s the plan? You can’t hide out here forever.”

Many thoughts swirled in Camilla’s chest. None of them sounded nice enough to be voiced out. Violence didn’t yield positive results the first time. She had to try a different, more logical tactic. But what?

Before Camilla could respond, her phone rang. If it was Faye, she didn’t want to talk to her. Not when her best friend didn’t give her a chance or care for her wellbeing. What if her parents—Mum, was the caller? She wouldn’t be surprised if KJ told them she was currently crashing at his place.

She glanced at the screen and felt her heart stop—it was Faye. She let it ring until the call ended. Almost immediately, it rang again. She didn’t want this fight to escalate, so if Faye was calling to scream at her for the sake of it, she wanted no part of that.

On the third ring, she picked up.

“Who’s that? Faye?” KJ mouthed, and she nodded. “What’s she saying?”

Camilla shrugged. Faye hadn’t spoken a word, and she wouldn’t say anything until her friend did. A sniff, followed by a quiet sob from the other end of the phone, made her break that promise. She sat up straight.

“Faye, are you okay?”

“Cam. Cam. Oh my God. You were right. You were right about everything.”

That voice, the sadness in the words. She rushed to the door, shoving her feet into her footwear. Her friend had been crying.

“Faye, what’s going on? Talk to me.”

“Vanya is everything horrible you said he was.”

Camilla’s blood boiled at the sound of Vanya’s name, but she pushed her anger aside. Right now, Faye needed her.

“I’m coming over,” Camilla said, grabbing her purse and heading for the door. KJ shot her a questioning look, but she waved him off. “I’ll explain later.”

When Camilla arrived back at the condo, she found Faye sitting on the floor, her eyes red and puffy from crying. The apartment was a mess—clothes and tissues strewn everywhere.

Without a word, Camilla rushed to her friend’s side, pulling her into a hug. Faye clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably.

“He broke up with me, Cam. Vanya... he’s marrying someone else,” Faye sobbed. “I’ve been such an idiot.”

“You’re not an idiot, Faye,” Camilla said softly. “You were in love. You trusted him. This is all on him, not you.”

Faye pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes. “But I should have seen it. You tried to warn me, and I didn’t listen. I feel so stupid.”

Camilla shook her head. “No. Don’t blame yourself. He’s a liar, and he’s good at it.”

Faye looked away, her voice cracking. “What am I supposed to do now? How do I move on from this?”

Camilla’s fists clenched. Move on? No. She wasn’t about to let Vanya get away with this. “You don’t have to move on yet,” she said, her voice firm. “We’re going to make him pay.”

Faye looked up, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, he’s getting married, right? We’re going to crash his wedding. Expose him for the snake he is. We’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what kind of man Vanya is.”

Faye shook her head, horrified. “Cam, no. I can’t... I don’t want to do that.”

Camilla’s eyes narrowed, her determination growing stronger. “You don’t have to do anything. But I’m not going to sit here and let him get away with hurting you.”

Faye’s shoulders sagged, exhausted. “I just want to cry and forget about him.”

Camilla stood, pacing the room, her mind racing. Forget? How could Faye even think of moving on without getting justice? No, this wasn’t over. Not for Camilla.

“You rest,” Camilla said quietly, turning toward the door. “I’ll take care of it.”

While her best friend slept, she cleaned up the rooms. All done, she returned to the living room to get Faye’s phone and rewatch Vanya’s story. Vanya’s Instagram story was full of cosy pictures.

Camilla had a tough time believing he would switch so fast. What if she called to blast him? That was too easy. They needed to do something more that would leave a longer and lasting impact.

Yes, that’s it! She thought to herself while her fingers typing something fast.

“Faye was cheated on by Vanya. Get me an invitation for the bastard’s wedding.”

Camilla’s fingers hovered over the phone screen, her heart pounding as she sent the message. If anyone had the power to get them an invitation to that wedding, it was Calvin Kyle McKenna, her brother.

There was no turning back now. The plan was in motion, and it was only a matter of time before everything unraveled.

Her phone buzzed. The response was quick.

"You’ve got it. Wedding’s this Friday. Black-tie. Be careful, Cam."

Friday came faster than Camilla thought it would. Calvin had tried and failed to talk her out of her plan for revenge. And neither was Camilia successful in persuading Faye to take the revenge herself. So she would go alone. Thankfully, everything she needed for the wedding was in her bag.

Calvin was in his car when she walked out of the building. He honked, and his hand shot out of his vehicle to wave her over.

Getting inside the car, she stretched her hand to her twin. “Where is the invitation card?” Calvin tried to speak, but she shook her head. “Don’t even try to convince me.”

“If you get into trouble, I’m not bailing you out.”

“I won’t.”

Grumbling, he pulled out two cards and dropped one on her outstretched palm. “Where’s Faye?”

“She didn’t want to come,” Camilla replied.

“You should, too. If she’s not going, and she was the person who was wronged by this Vanya guy, I don’t see what you’re going to do there, Camilla.” After his tirade, the only thing she did was grin. He sighed. “You’re lucky Angel was on your side. If you get into trouble, don’t call me.”

She clicked her tongue.

“I’m serious.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his forehead breaking into lines. “I didn’t like the story I heard about these guys. None of them were good. Mafia. Drugs. Vanya is not worth this shit, Cam.”

“Okay, okay, Vinny. Enough. This isn’t one of Hana’s story. It’s real life. I’ll be fine.”

Her sister-in-law was a writer, a great one, at that. But her brother had to learn to separate real life from fiction.

“Are you ready?” Calvin turned the key in the ignition.

Sweat gathered on Camilla’s palms. She brushed them over her dress and nodded. “Yes.”

They arrived. Calvin stopped behind a black car. At the door of the church stood two men in suits on each side. They were both wearing sunglasses, hands folded below their bellies. With their glasses, she could still feel their gaze on her.

One of the men at the door stretched out an arm to stop her from entering the church.

They didn’t speak to her, their lips tilted in a grim smile. Everything in her head yelled at her to turn back and join her brother. It wasn’t too late. But she ransacked her bag for the invite Calvin gave her and offered it to the man on her left. He took a long look at it and nodded. The man on the right opened the door, and she stepped into the church. The doors shut behind her, and her heart drummed faster.

Why did she feel like she had walked into a death chamber she willingly signed up for? No one turned as she padded to a seat at the back. The priest’s voice from the altar dragged her out of her thoughts, and she remembered her reason for coming here.

Revenge.

Thankfully, Camilla was right in time.

Bile flooded her mouth when she spotted Vanya at the altar with his bride. They were both wearing white. His bride had a veil over her face, so Camilla couldn’t see her face, but she pitied the poor woman. If fate was on her side, the woman would use this chance and dissolve the marriage. A cheater deserved to be alone and miserable.

The choir sang at appropriate points, but for the most part, an instrumental played in the background. Surprisingly, no one turned in Camilla’s direction, and she used that chance to observe them. The men were all frowning, their profiles rigid. Vanya didn’t have a best man or men in suit with him, while the bride had a group of six ladies behind her. So, he was a one-man squad, huh? This would make her job easier.

As the ceremony continued, Camilla perked up when the priest started on the question she had waited for. His eyes roamed the church hall as he asked, “If there’s anyone here who has a reason these two shouldn’t be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever remain silent.”

Camilla said nothing. Oh, she had much to say, but she wanted them to relax. If she remembered correctly, this had to be asked thrice. Most of the men in the church looked around with their menacing scowl. If Faye hadn’t come to her room crying, their scowls might have frightened her.

“Once again,” the priest stated. “If there’s anyone here who has a reason these two shouldn’t be joined together, please speak now, or forever hold your peace.”

Camilla stood. “I do.”

The instrument in the background stopped. A sharp gasp passed through the front of the church as her voice carried. There were elderly women in the first pew, and all of them spoke to each other at once. The scarf on one of them fell to reveal grey hairs. Her grandmother would have a heart attack if she ever found out about this stunt, but it was too late for her to back out.

“Bozhe moy,” one of them cried out.

“Kto ona?”

Another woman placed her hand on her chest and said, “Svyataya Bogoroditsa.”

When no one said anything more, Camilla stalked to the middle of the church. The red rug muffled her footsteps as she cat-walked to the altar and stopped before the couple.

Shock passed through Vanya’s face, and she hid a smile. He blinked fast, as if expecting her to disappear. But too bad for him. She was real and here to make him pay.

The priest wiped a bead of sweat on his forehead. “Are you sure, young lady?” he asked. “Perhaps you misheard the question? Do you want to put a stop to this?”

Fear leaked into his voice. That should have been Camilla’s sign to leave, but she had never been the most logical McKenna.

“Yes, I do, father. I’m certain of it as I am of this child he has put inside me,” Camilla stated, her voice louder than before. She grabbed the fake pregnancy test in her bag and slapped it against Vanya’s chest. The next thing that followed was yanking the ring she bought herself a few days ago from her middle finger and tossing it at Vanya’s feet. “You propose to me. You impregnate me, and then you want to get married to someone else? You are cruel.”

Camilla didn’t have to force herself to sound angry. The anger that seeped into her words was genuine. She was hurting for her best friend.

Spinning to face the stunned bride, Camilla said, “If you will go through with this wedding, at least know the kind of man you plan to spend the rest of your life with. Know that you’ll be sharing your time with him and our kid. Is that what you want?”

Not satisfied with that, she turned back to Vanya, slapped him, and said, “Bastard.”

Maksim was livid. He had been since they left Nightfall Hills. He paced his office, going unbelievably still when his right-hand man, Ivan, entered. The curtains were closed, how he liked it, and the entire place was dark, save for the corner light and lamp on the table. He snapped his fingers, a sign for the man to talk immediately.

“Did you find her yet?” he asked.

Ivan stood at ease, a wire curling from his ear to inside his suit collar. “Not yet, boss.”

Rage coursed through Maksim’s veins. He sank into his chair and laughed bitterly.

“Boss?” Maksim said, disgust slithering into his voice. He gripped the armrests so hard his nails broke. God help that lady because if he found her, he would wipe her off the face of the earth. She should have taken the subtle warning the priest gave him. No one, not even the don, the Grand Sinner himself, could end a wedding. “You have twelve hours to find that young lady, or boss, will be the last word on your lips as I snuff the life out of you.”

“Yes, Karan.”

Ivan started for the door, and Maksim raised his hand. “Wait. Who was manning the church’s door?”

Silence fell upon them as Ivan spoke to whoever was transmitting information to him.

“Boss, it was Boris and Dmitri,” Ivan finally answered.

“Get them here,” Maksim commanded. As the man made to leave his office, he added, “Don’t come in with them. Oh, and if you think I forgot, I haven’t. Your time starts now, Ivan. Find the girl or die. Tick. Tick.”

After a curt nod, Ivan left. Yanking the last drawer of his table open, Maksim closed his hand around his gun. In the first drawer was the ring and pregnancy test result she so kindly slapped across his chest. By God, she would pay. And if she had to do it in her blood, so be it.

His troubles started the second he agreed to stop at the store to pick Mila’s order. If Papa hadn’t insisted, Maksim wouldn’t have left Sin City for Nightfall Hills. He should have known that lady had a loose screw in her head the second she started recording him.

He had never met her in his life before that day, and he thought destroying her phone would put an end to that madness. But now he knew the only way she would fully go away was if she was buried six feet under.

A knock on the door had his head raising.

“Voydite,” Maksim said, his Russian accent slipping into the order. The church didn’t allow cameras, so they had nothing but words to show for the lady’s presence. The twins entered and shut the door. His finger alternated between them. “Which one of you allowed a stranger into a Kalashnikovs wedding? A lady. Brown hair. Blue dress.”

Boris and Dmitri shared a look, but it was Boris who told him, “She had an invitation.”

No sooner were those words out of his lips when Maksim shot him. One bullet straight to the middle of his forehead. A headshot like he loved it. Boris fell to the ground like a wet log of wood. A whimper tore out of his twin brother’s lips. But all Maksim did was blow air over the tip of his gun.

On his feet, Maksim stalked to them. Blood dripped from the bullet wound onto his maroon Persian rug, staining it. He placed the gun on Dmitri’s forehead. The guard shivered, tears filling his eyes to the brim.

“You want to live?” Maksim asked. The tears made it hard to tell the colour of Dmitri’s eyes, not that he cared about that shit. But he loved looking into people’s eyes before terminating them. Plus, the eyes never lied. Right now, Dmitri’s was filled with tears and hurt. Point was taken. “Get me the girl. You have twelve hours.”

The only reason Maksim gave him twelve hours was because the journey to Nightfall Hills by road could take a few hours.

“Yes, boss.”

“Get out of my office. Send someone to pick this up,” he said, kicking the leg of the dead man to be sure he hadn’t by some miracle survived. Given the consequences Maksim would suffer later from Papa, he considered death a fair sentence for Boris. “Send a cleaner, too. The clock is ticking.”

Sinking back into his leather seat, Maksim pulled out the pregnancy test and ring. The gold was fake. He would never give out fake jewellery to anyone, let alone a lady he was courting. That was where she went wrong. Two, what kind of hospital was this? He picked up his phone, and a quick internet searched revealed there was no hospital by that name in Sin City or Nightfall Hills. If this was some sort of sick joke on her part, she picked the wrong person. He hated jokes.

The iPhone Maksim took from her still had the cracks. He pressed on the buttons until the screen flickered on, the cracks on it looking like distended webs. Her password was something stupid. He had spied on her while she inputted it. He typed it in, and a sadistic grin spread over his lips. It worked.