Page 131 of Born into Chaos

He gives me a wink. “I’m not so sure you’re going to get a say in that. You’ll be amazing no matter how many babies are growing in there.”

I laugh and hold up a finger. “One, Vitya, one baby is in here, and you can stop talking about twins now.”

Samantha reaches up so she can gnaw on one of his fingers while he says, “Can you imagine three babies under the age of two?”

“No, and I don’t want to,” I tell him with a laugh. “All we’ll be doing from the time we wake up until the time we go to bed is change diapers and get spit up on.”

He grins and gives me another wink. “We’ll find timefor other things. I’m not one to brag, but I think I’ve gotten pretty damn good at quickies.”

I laugh, but I don’t correct him. He’s definitely not wrong. The man can get me worked up faster than anything, and he never leaves me unsatisfied, no matter how little time we may have.

“You are a miracle worker,” I agree, making him smile even bigger.

“I just know what your body likes.”

I make a point of dropping my eyes to the zipper of his jeans. “Yeah, me too.”

“Ah, the truth comes out. The real reason you’re with me is because of what’s swinging between my legs.”

“You know damn good and well I was in love with you before I ever saw you naked. That just ended up being a really big perk to the whole Vitya package, and had my dad kept his word and you’d lost it, I would’ve still loved you and stayed with you.”

He laughs and says, “That’s very sweet, and I’m so glad we’ll never have to put that to the test.”

“Me too. I think I’d end up crying more than you over the loss of it. We’d have to find an extra large shoebox and hold a funeral.”

“Jesus,” Vitya groans, “don’t even joke about that.”

Leaning closer, I kiss him and rest my head on his shoulder while Samantha baby talks and plays with my hair. We sit together until it’s time for Vitya to go take care of something with Luka. I’ve managed to talk him out of making me have a bodyguard when I’m alone in the apartment, but that’s only because Danil and Niki installed a few security cameras that Vitya can access on his phone at any time. He still worries, though, and I’m under strict orders to never leave the apartment without a bodyguard. Gavril is the man Vitya and my dad agreed should be watching over me, and after I met him, I understood why. I’d never seen the man before, but he’s been working his way up in the Bratva, and apparently he’s proven his loyalty in ways that make him the ideal man for the job. He’s trusted and respected and it doesn’t hurt that he’s also in his late forties and the loyalty he feels for my family also extends to his wife. Honor is everything to Gavril, and Vitya isrelieved to know that the man won’t be looking at me in any way that crosses the line.

The few times I’ve left the apartment with him, I’ve felt safe. He doesn’t make sure my hat is pulled down or that I’m wearing my scarf, but I only want my husband doing those things anyway. Vitya does always make sure there are snacks in the glovebox of the SUV, though, which I think is the sweetest thing ever.

“Don’t leave without Gavril,” Vitya reminds me when he stops to put his jacket on after kissing Samantha goodbye.

“Of course I won’t,” I tell him. “Stop worrying. Have I shimmied down any trellises lately?”

“Not that I know of,” he says, raising a brow at me, “but I wouldn’t put it past you.”

I laugh and step closer. Reaching up, I lace my fingers behind his neck and pull him down to me. “My days of trying to escape are over,” I tell him. “I’m right where I want to be.”

He smiles and lifts me up so he can give me a proper kiss goodbye. The kiss is slow and deep and when he pulls back, the first thing I say is, “Hurry home so you can finish what you just started.”

He laughs and gives my ass a squeeze. “Deal,pcholka. Take a nap while I’m gone so you can stay awake for it. I want more than a quickie tonight.”

“I think I can manage that,” I tell him. “Better make it worth my while though.”

He laughs and kisses me again. “Don’t I always?”

“You do,” I admit, leaning down so I can kiss the dragon tattoo on his neck. “You always do.” I kiss him again and breathe in his scent before saying, “Be careful and come back to me as soon as you can.”

“I will, baby. Don’t worry.” Setting me down, he cups my face and kisses me once more. “I love you,pcholka.”

“I love you too.”

Stepping back, I watch him open the door. He gives me a smile before shutting it behind him, and then I lock the door. I know he’sstanding on the other side, waiting to hear the locks click into place before he’ll leave.

I’m walking back to check on Samantha when there’s a knock at the door. Looking at the small screen that’s now mounted on the wall near the door, I see my brother’s face looking at me as he raises his hand to knock again. Before I’ve even reached out to open it for him, I know something is wrong. That weird twin link we share is lighting up like crazy, so instead of saying a hello, I open the door and ask, “What’s wrong?”

He tries to brush my worry off by giving me a smile and shutting the door behind him. “Nothing’s wrong, Sveta. I just figured I’d come down to visit.”

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