Page 36 of Surprise Bratva Daddy

He doesn’t even flinch. Instead, he pulls me closer to him, planting a kiss on my lips when we come to the front door. “You might just be both,” he says, putting a hand on my belly. “Motherhood isn’t for the weak.”

“That’s assuming I’m pregnant. We won’t know until I take a test,” I say, putting my hand over his. His skin is warm, and I love the way the veins on the back of his hand feel.

He shrugs. "Even if you're not, I want to make sure you're ready when the day does come. Now, let's go. Kiro is waiting for us."

He holds the door open, and we walk out to the car.

The driver comes out of the car and opens the back door for me, and I slide into the seat. Zane gets in next to me, and his scent floods the inside of the car. I didn't think I could be any more attracted to him, but after what he said about the day of my pregnancy coming makes me want to guarantee we're having a baby. If it weren't for the driver, I'd already have my legs behind my ears.

We get to the bar in under fifteen minutes. It's a quaint little place, but the inside is nicer than the outside would lead you to believe. It has an old-world charm about it, the kind of place where everyone knows your name. Apparently, you need to be part of the Bratva to get in, so I suppose everyone does know your name around here.

"Zane," a gruff voice says the moment we enter. It's Kiro. He's sitting in the corner of the room with another man. They're both holding glasses of beer and smoking cigars.

"Put those out," Zane says as he walks me to the table. "We have company today, and I think you're going to like what she has to say."

Kiro stands up, plucking the cigar from his mouth and ashing it in a golden bowl on the table. The other man follows suit. "Andrey is head of intel for the organization," Kiro explains to me, gesturing to his colleague. "He's responsible for most of the information we've gathered on Maksim."

Andrey ashes his cigar and holds out his hand. I look to Zane, who nods, so I shake Andrey's hand. It's stiff and cold, like he's had his hands wrapped around his drink the entire time he's been here.

24

Zane

Iwasn’t expecting to be told that Maksim is in the hospital, but Andrey is certain he checked in under a fake name two days ago. According to the sparce records that could be recovered from the hospital’s computer system, he’s dealing with a serious infection from the stab wound he received when he broke into Monroe’s house.

That means he’s vulnerable, but we can’t just go charging into a hospital and gun him down in his room. We have to play this a little more strategic, waiting until he’s released to get the jump on him.

Everything feels like it’s happening all at once, but I’m able to find order in the chaos. First, I need Monroe to hand the book and the blessing of her photographic memory over to Kiro so we can begin investing the money Tema entrusted me with.

Once that’s done, Monroe needs to take a pregnancy test so we can settle this once and for all. If she’s pregnant, I’ve already decided to buy her a ring. There’s no arguing with that, either. I’m not going to have our child born to unwed parents. The Bratva demands an official union.

Then, there’s Maksim. He’s the only person in my life that genuinely threatens all that I’ve built. If I want Monroe to be safe, and our baby to have a healthy childhood, Maksim needs to go.

And it won’t be to jail. I have a very special spot for him at the local cemetery. I believe his cousin is already buried there.

After we leave the bar, I make sure Andrey has the book of information Monroe provided for him. I want him to invest every dime he can get his hands on, because the information is only going to be valid for a short period of time. The longer we wait, the less money we will make.

With the book safely in Andrey's hands, Monroe and I go home. It's not a long drive, but it feels like forever knowing that she's about to take the pregnancy test. The stop at the pharmacy is even worse because I keep feeling like Maksim is going to show up and gun us both down. I've been too paranoid to let Monroe out of the house for an entire month, but I want her to be a little more involved. It's about trust, after all.

Monroe picks a pregnancy test out, I pay for it, and then we're on our way again. She holds the plastic bag so tightly in her hand that her knuckles turn white, but I don't comment on it. I know telling her to relax is not going to do anything but stress her out further. Besides, I'm also stressed out, and nothing is going to solve it until we know the results of the pregnancy test.

When we arrive home, she goes straight to the bathroom and shuts the door. I can hear her moving around in there, but it feels like it's taking an eternity for her to pee on the stick. I'm stuck with my thoughts, and that's the last place I want to be right now. I know I can handle being a father because I've handled everything life has thrown at me so far, but it's a lot to prepare for in just nine months.

Monroe is a good woman, though. She'll be a great mother, and I think it's best for me to follow her lead on this one. I've always been the boss, but when someone else is capable of handling something better, I think their opinions should take priority over mine. It's more a matter of supporting her efforts than leaning on her too much.

I'm already thinking of ways to help. I should build a playhouse outside by the garden, but not too close to the flowers or a bee might sting the child. There should be ample space for them to explore, but I need to make sure to cover any sharp corners inside and under no circumstances allow them to have access to any of the guns in the house.

I have to rub my forehead just thinking about it. There are so many guns, some in places I've forgotten. This house is suitable for a small child. We might even have to move.

No, I tell myself, shaking my head. We won't have to move. I have more money than I can spend in a lifetime, so I'll just hire a team of professional decorators and childproof the entire house. It'll be a big project, sure, but I have nine months to get it done, and it's not like the baby will start walking right away.

"I'm done," Monroe announces, stepping out of the bathroom. She has the test in her hand, and it's facing down. Her expression is unreadable, and my heart jumps into my throat in anticipation of what she's about to say. I've gotten so invested in the idea of having a child with her that the thought of her not being pregnant makes me more worried than if she is.

"What does it say?" I ask, bending down to try to get a look at the underside of the test.

She turns the stick over, revealing a bright pink plus sign. My knees go weak, and I lean back against the wall, unable to support myself. My heart is beating so fast that I feel like I'm going to pass out. This is far too dramatic for a Bratva boss, but I'm no longer just a man with a hundred ruthless killers working for me. I'm a father now.

Monroe gasps. "Are you okay?" she asks, grabbing my arm.

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