Mayra

Henry Romanov's POV

I was in a fix as I held the phone to my ear, standing almost still, contemplating the best decision to make. I hadn't seen my wife and daughter in almost five years. We only spoke through phone calls and video chats.

I had hidden them away safely in America, far from the prying eyes of all the Bratvas in St. Petersburg. Nochnye Ten'i-the brotherhood

I controlled-had been thriving over the past three years. We had dominated many deals across Petersburg, earning us even more enemies. The other Pakhans were jealous of my Bratva's success.

I couldn't afford to let Loretta and Iriana come to Petersburg at a time like this. They were my only weakness, and aside from my right-hand man, Albert, and Sofia-my most trusted allies in the Bratva-no one else knew about my family. Not even my best friend, Ivanova, the lord of the Zmey Bratva. I didn't trust anybody.

The Zmey Bratva and I had run many successful deals together.

We had fought our enemies and managed joint operations. But that didn't mean I fully trusted Ivanova.

This business was a danger zone-you trusted at your own risk.

It was wiser to keep your weakness hidden. Once the other Pakhans discovered it, that was the end of you.

My family was my only weakness. I couldn't let them step into the danger zone-especially not when my Bratva was about to run a major deal jointly with the Zmey Bratva.

I knew it was going to be bloody. The deal had initially been meant for the Volk Bratva-another feared brotherhood ruled by James, a heartless Pakhan who wouldn't hesitate to kill his own wife for the sake of business.

James hated defeat, and he would definitely try to ruin the deal since he hadn't secured it for himself. Knowing all this, how could I let my wife and daughter come to Petersburg?

I heaved a sigh.

"Henry, say something," Loretta urged from the other end of the phone.

"Loretta, I can't let you come. It's too big a risk," I said pleadingly.

"Henry, your daughter has refused to eat. She insists on celebrating her fifth birthday with her dad. Can't you at least compromise for her sake?" she pressed.

"Loretta, I-"

"Please, Henry," she cut me off, her voice desperate. "Just a week, that's all. It will mean everything to me and Iriana. We won't go anywhere you don't want us to."

I sighed heavily. This was driving me crazy. I wanted to see them so badly.

"Please, Henry," Loretta pleaded again.

"Just a week, babe? And you'll return to America with her, right?"

"Yes, yes! I promise," she nearly screamed.

"Okay, you can come in two days," I said, not sure if I had made the right choice.

"Henry, I love, love, love you!" she said and hung up. I could hear the excitement in her voice.

I dropped the phone, a mix of emotions swirling inside me-excitement, anxiety, and uncertainty. Had I made a terrible mistake?

I stood by the window, looking at the many mafiosi at my beck and call. They appeared loyal and trustworthy, but I trusted none of them.

We had been betrayed too many times by our own men, and I never hesitated to put a bullet in the heads of traitors to serve as a warning.

This business was a game of survival, where betrayal was inevitable-even from the closest allies.

"Boss," Albert's voice jolted me back to reality.

"There was a call from Zmey Bratva's representative. Their 'goods' are ready for the deal."

"What about our men?" I asked, still staring into space.