MALYSHKA

Chapter 17

~LEONID'S   P.O.V~

Anastasia's phone buzzed, and she pulled away from the kiss just long enough to check the caller ID. Her expression shifted from calm to stunned as she quickly answered, "VALIK?"

Hearing that name made my heart sink. I grabbed the phone from her, my voice shaky, "Valik!"

"L...Leo, you need to come to my place, there's something I want—" I interrupted him, my frustration boiling over.

"YOU IDIOT! YOU BETTER HAVE A SOLID EXPLANATION FOR FAKING YOUR DEATH." I hung up and headed to the nightstand, grabbing my car keys with a sense of urgency.

"Baby, I'm heading out." I pressed a kiss to her forehead, trying to convey my love and concern in that brief moment.

"I'm coming with you," she shot back, her tone leaving no room for debate. "I'm not staying here when I find out my friend is back from the dead." She quickly threw on a hoodie that hugged her curves, the fabric accentuating her figure in a way that made my heart race, but the gravity of the situation quickly overshadowed any lingering thoughts of desire.

"Alright, alright," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, "but please, take it easy, Anastasia. Remember, you're pregnant, and I don't want anything to happen to our baby." I gently cupped her face, my thumb brushing against her cheek, and kissed her forehead, hoping to soothe her anxiety.

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with determination. "I can handle it, Leo. If Valik is really alive, I need to know why he did this. We both do."

I sighed, knowing she was right. Valik's sudden reappearance could unravel everything we thought we knew. "Okay, but promise me you'll stay close to me. I don't want you getting hurt, not now."

"Promise," she said, her voice firm. She grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, and together we rushed out the door. The cool night air hit us as we stepped outside, the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders.

As we climbed into the car, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in my stomach. Valik had always been unpredictable, and the thought of him resurfacing after all this time sent a chill down my spine. What could possibly justify the chaos he had left in his wake?

The engine started, and I started driving.

The entire ride was pretty much silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. We were both itching for answers about what was going on, our minds racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. All that had happened was that I went to the Maldives with Anastasia for our honeymoon, a blissful escape from reality that quickly turned into a nightmare. After just two weeks—yeah, literally two weeks—things took a turn that neither of us could have anticipated.

When we arrived back home, we both jumped out of the car, adrenaline coursing through our veins, and slammed the doors behind us with a force that echoed our frustration. I headed straight for the front door, my heart pounding in my chest, and rang the bell with urgency. The moment the door swung open, I felt my eyes welling up with a mix of relief and anger. There he was—Valik, standing in front of me, looking as if he had just stepped out of a bad dream.

Without a second thought, I launched forward and delivered a solid punch right to his gut. He winced in pain, doubling over slightly, but somehow managed to muster a grin as he welcomed us inside. "Man, that hurt!" he joked, clutching his stomach, trying to lighten the mood despite the gravity of the situation.

But Anastasia wasn't having any of it. She wasted no time and slapped him hard across the face, the sound of the impact reverberating through the hallway. "DON'T YOU DARE ACT LIKE EVERYTHING'S FINE! YOU NEED TO TELL US WHY YOU FAKED YOUR DEATH! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TOUGH THAT WAS FOR ME? FOR BOTH OF US?" she yelled, her voice shaking with a mix of fury and desperation as she shook him a bit, demanding answers.

Valik went quiet for a moment, the humor draining from his face as he processed her words. Finally, he spoke up, his voice low and serious. "There's a guy who betrayed our mafia. I was trying to figure out who it was before they could get to Anastasia. All the other gangs know she's your weak spot, so they'd do anything to get to her."

His words hung in the air, heavy with implications. I felt a chill run down my spine as the reality of the situation sank in. The betrayal, the danger—it was all too real. I glanced at Anastasia, her expression a mix of anger and fear, and I knew we were in danger. 

"Seriously," I said. "You have to stop being a CEO because you're going to be right by my side everywhere I go. I don't want you out of my sight, Malyshka." I made it clear, and she nodded. The three of us settled in to talk things over.

"I'll have Dami handle the bodyguard duties; I'm bringing him back on board," Valik said while flipping through some documents. While we were chatting, Valik jumped in, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Is it true that Anastasia is pregnant? Dami mentioned it, so what's the deal, Leonid?" He grinned and winked at her, clearly enjoying the moment.

"You idiot," I playfully tapped his head, trying to mask my embarrassment with a light-hearted gesture. Valik always had a knack for bringing up the most sensitive topics at the most unexpected times, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

Anastasia laughed, a melodic sound that filled the room, as she cradled her belly with a gentle touch. "Yep, it's been almost a month now," she said, her eyes sparkling with joy. The warmth of her laughter wrapped around me, and I felt my heart swell with a mix of pride and protectiveness.

I held her hands, feeling the soft curve of her belly beneath my fingers, and I couldn't help but smile. "You're going to be an amazing mom," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as if the weight of the moment demanded reverence.

Valik leaned back, feigning shock. "Wow, I can't believe it! You two are really doing this, huh? I mean, I always knew you were serious, but this is next level!" He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

Anastasia rolled her eyes playfully, but I could see the happiness radiating from her. "Next level indeed," she replied, her tone teasing yet filled with sincerity. "But we're excited, aren't we, Leonid?"

I nodded, my heart racing at the thought of our future. "Absolutely. It's a little scary, but I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else."

Valik raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Scary? You mean amazing! Just think of all the adventures ahead. And the baby showers! I expect to be invited to all the fun stuff."

Anastasia laughed again, and I couldn't help but join in. The sound was infectious, and in that moment, surrounded by friends and the promise of new beginnings, everything felt right.

"Just wait until the cravings kick in," I teased, squeezing her hands gently. "I hope you're ready for some late-night ice cream runs."

She shot me a playful glare, but her smile betrayed her. "Oh, I'll hold you to that, Leonid."

after one hour, Anastasia needed to use the bathroom, so she went. Valik watched her leave and then he glanced back to me. "Leonid." 

"yes?" 

"we need to keep her out of country until we find who's behind this." Valik Explained.

_End of chapter 17