Page 108 of Born into Blood

I reach up and run my fingers through the thick stubble that covers his cheek. “I promise I’ll tell you if it ever gets bad again. It’s been years since I’ve done it, though, so please don’t worry about it.”

He gives me a look that makes it clear he’ll never stop worrying about me, so I just pat his cheek and smile. “Try not to worry as much then.”

He smiles and grabs my hand so he can kiss the palm.

“Do you think my mom will come around?”

“I do. I think it’ll take time, but I talked with her for a little bit after you passed out last night. She doesn’t want to lose you. It’s not going to be easy for her, but I really do think she’s going to try. The therapist will help, and when she finds out you’re pregnant, that’ll really help.”

I laugh and nudge his shoulder. “So cocky. You don’t know I’m pregnant.”

“You don’t know you’re not,” he teases, and it’s true enough so I just smile and sip the one cup of coffee I’m going to allow myself since I need to start cutting back on caffeine, just in case.

I lean against him, savoring this moment that’s just ours. I know our life together isn’t always going to be this peaceful, hell, last night is proof of that, and I know that there’s still a lot to be worked through between our families, but for now, right here in this moment, it’s perfect.

A week later, my period starts. Luka finds me sitting on the rooftop hammock, drowning my sorrows in hot chocolate and cuddles from Pip. He had to go and do something Bratva related, and I’m slowly learning how to not ask questions, or at least not as many, and since Arkady is excellent at blending into the shadows, having a personal bodyguard isn’t the awkward nightmare I though it’d be.

Luka takes one look at me and sighs before scooping me into his arms and taking my place so he can hold me and Pip in his lap.

“Chocolate, comfy sweats, and a sad look on your face,” he muses while brushing my hair back so he can kiss me. “This can only mean one thing.”

When I don’t answer, he kisses me again and gently rocks the hammock while I finish my drink. After my last sip, he takes my empty mug and sets it aside, the movement making Pip sit up and look around. He sees something by the row of potted plants that Luka’s mom brought us that gets his attention, and in seconds he’s jumping down and scampering off without a backward glance.

I sink back against Luka as he strokes my hair and tightens his arm around my waist. “Don’t be sad, kisa.”

“Are you disappointed? I know how much you wanted this.”

“I’m not even slightly disappointed.” He hooks a finger under my chin and tilts my face up so I’m forced to meet his eyes. I’m addicted to this man’s praise, and the last thing I want to do is see disappointment in his gaze, but I should’ve known better. The only thing I can see in his stunning green eyes is love. He smiles down at me while caressing my cheek with his thumb.

“I’ll get you pregnant, baby. You don’t need to worry about that, and this kind of works out for the best anyway.”

“It does?”

He brings a hand down to my arm, lightly grazing my scarred skin. “You didn’t want to get any tattoos while you were pregnant, and now you won’t have to wait, and” he adds, giving me a wink before he pulls a small, velvet box from his pocket, “I can do this without you worrying that I’m only doing it because you’re pregnant.”

My heart stops at the sight of that box, and when he opens it and I get my first look at the huge diamond inside, I let out a small gasp and jerk my eyes to his.

“It’s too big, Luka,” I tell him.

He laughs. “That’s not the first time you’ve said those words to me, kisa.”

I smile at the memory of our first time as tears fill my eyes.

“You took everything I wanted to give you then, and I’m hoping like hell you’ll take it all now.” He takes a breath, and I swear if I didn’t know any better, I’d say my I’m not afraid of anything Bratva man is scared to death right now.

“Lara, I think I fell in love with you the first second I saw you. First, at the club, and then when I saw you at the diner, looking so fucking adorably embarrassed when I caught you eating that bacon cheeseburger. I knew you were it for me.”

I smile at the memory, remembering how embarrassed I’d been, and how desperately I’d wanted him. Even then, even when the only thing I’d known about him was that he was a Melnikov and that I was supposed to stay away, I’d still wanted him more than I’ve ever wanted anything before.

“I’m the man you’ve been warned about your entire life, and you were the one woman I was never supposed to end up with, but we found each other, Lara. Despite all the odds, we found each other.”

His eyes soften as the tears finally start to run down my cheeks.

“I love you, and I want to marry you. I want to take care of you, protect you and provide for you. You are the last thing I want to see before I fall asleep, and the first thing I want to see when I wake. You’re it for me, Lara Swan.”

He smiles when he says my name, both of us refusing to acknowledge the last name of the man who fathered me. Swan is the only last name I’ve ever had, and I’m not about to change it to anything other than Melnikov.

Luka’s thumb brushes away my tears before he grabs my left hand and takes the gorgeous ring from the box.

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