Page 82 of Born into Chaos

“Jesus, Sveta, you scared the hell out of me.”

I cling to my twin, sobbing all over again. “He lost so much blood,” I whisper against his shoulder.

“He’s tough,” Val says, trying to reassure me. “This isn’t the first time he’s survived something like this. He did it once, he can do it again. He has everything to live for now. He’ll fight to stay here with you.”

I nod, hoping he’s right, hoping that we haven’t tempted fate one too many times. “I can’t lose him, Val.”

He cups my head, keeping me pressed against his chest. “You won’t.”

I cling to the determination in his words, the absolute certainty in his voice, because I’m desperate to believe it. I have to or I’m going to fall apart, and I can’t do that, not when Vitya is fighting for his life and depending on me to be strong. I nod, and when he feels it, he kisses my head and then takes a step back so I can get to Samantha. Luka’s giving her a bottle, gently rocking her and baby talking to her in Russian. She’s staring up at him, eyes wide as she grips his finger, and when I look at my cousin’s face, I can tell he’s smitten with her.

“Thanks, Luka,” I tell him, stepping closer and running my fingers over her cheek.

“How are you holding up?”

I lean against his shoulder while Samantha watches us. “Not so well,” I admit. “My dad is going to take me to Dominic’s so we can be with Vitya.”

“If you need Lara and me to watch her, just let us know. We’re more than happy to.”

“I might take you up on that,” I tell him, “but I’m not ready to let her go just yet.”

“I understand.” He gives her another smile and then passes her into my arms. “There’s nothing quite as comforting as having a baby in your arms.”

He’s right. As soon as Samantha’s familiar weight is in my arms again, I instantly feel better. I’m still scared to death and worried aboutVitya, but her presence is comforting, and she’s a link to him, one I’m desperate to hold onto.

Luka squeezes my shoulder and then gives both of our heads a quick kiss before walking off to help the others. I hadn’t paid any attention to anything else after Vitya was shot, but when I look over, I see Shane’s body lying in the alley. I’m grateful for the darkness that keeps his body mainly in shadow. He ended up getting the quick death that he didn’t deserve, but I’m just relieved it’s over and we no longer have to worry about him.

Samantha smiles up at me, oblivious to the dead man just a few feet away as I walk her to my dad’s car. Shane may have been the sperm donor for her conception, but that fucker was never her father. Vitya’s been her daddy since the second he saw her, and he’s the only one she’s ever going to remember.

My dad has already strapped her car seat in the back, and after I’ve buckled her in, I get in the passenger seat. I let out a shaky breath as I grab the seat belt, remembering how many times Vitya’s had to tell me to buckle up. My dad and I sit in silence for several miles before he reaches over and grabs my hand.

“I called your mom and told her you’re okay. She’s going to meet us at Dominic’s.” He waits a few more minutes and asks, “Want to tell me about it?”

I look over at him, and while I squeeze his hand for support, I tell him everything. I leave out the more personal details that no dad would ever want to hear, but I tell him about how I’ve always been in love with Vitya and how I thought he couldn’t stand me, and then I tell him about the day I snuck down to his apartment and found him with a baby. My dad lets out a few heavy sighs, but he doesn’t interrupt me. He just lets me talk, and by the time we’re pulling into Dominic’s driveway and waiting for the guards to open the gate, I’ve told him everything there is to tell.

He parks near the front and turns to look at me. “Do you really love him, Sveta?”

“Yes.”

He glances back at the sleeping baby. “You sure this is what you want, honey?”

“Yes.”

He lets out another heavy sigh. “I warned him to never touch you.”

“You can’t cut his dick off, Dad.”

The corner of his mouth lifts up the tiniest bit. “He told you about that?”

“He did.”

“I never go back on my word, Sveta.”

“Well, you’re going to this time.”

He looks at me like he wants to argue, but I don’t give him the chance. “I love him, Dad, and we’re going to get married. We’re going to adopt Samantha, but I want more kids.”

“You know I can’t deny you anything, so this is really fucking unfair.”

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