Page 99 of Daddy Brigadier

I find myself staring at my food, a weight pressing down in my stomach. Over the past few days, I’ve felt off-kilter, and my mood has plummeted. Valentin consumes my thoughts, and it’s hard to shake his presence from my mind.

I close my eyes, and the noise from the bustling restaurant begins to fade into a distant hum.

“Alexis!”

As I gradually blink my eyes open, I find Elise gazing at me, worry etched on her face.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I remind myself not to overthink things.

“Are you having trouble sleeping?” she asks, her eyes drifting to the dark circles beneath mine.

The truth is that I haven’t slept in days.

The nights stretch into sleepless hours, as every time I close my eyes, I feel him with me, his hand gently brushing against my skin, his lips softly pressed to my forehead. Yet every time I open my eyes, I encounter the stark reality of being alone in the loft.

I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my grip.

I take a deep breath and steady myself. “You were asking about Mexico?”

“How did things go?” she asks eagerly.

I’ve just returned from a meeting with the Martinez cartel, and I have to say, Lev’s guidance has been invaluable in navigating the arms dealing business. I’m not just doing well, I’m excelling, having successfully brokered the first weapons deal between the cartel and the Bratva.

“Everything is in place. We completed our first delivery last week and have established a plan for consistent monthly deliveries from now on.”

“Andrei is so proud of you.”

The genuine warmth in her voice ignites a sense of pride in my chest, and there’s clear admiration sparkling in her eyes, even if she doesn’t say it aloud.

My fingers tighten around the fork, and I lower my gaze to my plate, realizing I haven’t eaten much. Just as I’m savoring a bite of my fish, I notice Lev at the entrance, signaling for me.

I glance down at my watch. The lunch hour has flown by so fast. “Sorry, I have to go.”

“Hey, don’t be a stranger just because you’re important now,” Ivy chimes in, gently resting her palm on her womb. “I swear this baby is going to kill me!”

I glance down at her pregnant belly. “I still can’t believe you’re having a baby.”

“Neither can Nikolai. Can you believe he spent all night last night assembling the crib? And I still have four months to go!”

Elise chuckles, looking down at her son sitting on her lap. “I can still remember when I was pregnant with this little guy.”

I never fully understood the depth of my love until I met my nephew, Demyan Savin. He beams with joy as he toddles over and nestles into my lap, his tiny hand resting on my chest.

As I look down at him, my heart races with an overwhelming affection. I wrap my arms around him, and when his head gentlyrests on my shoulder, my heart melts. I’d do anything for this little man.

I press a loving kiss to his forehead. “I love you,” I whisper.

Lev stands at the door, his intense gaze fixed on me, and the paleness of his face reveals that something is amiss.

“I’m really sorry, but I have to leave now.”

I rise to my feet and squeeze my sister, feeling Demyan settle into her arms, then I lean in and plant a kiss on Ivy’s cheek.

“I guess I’m paying the bill again,” Elise teases, a playful grin lighting up her face.

“You’re the rich one,” I counter, dashing back to her for another hug.