Page 94 of Born into Chaos

I smile at her bossy tone and kiss her head. I love seeing her protective side come out, and Sveta is fiercely protective of the people she loves. It’s one of my favorite things about her.

She turns to everyone else and says, “I’m taking him home now. Feel free to come by and visit.”

Katya and Vitaly get Samantha into her car seat, and then Val grabs it to follow us out. It feels like it’s been weeks since I’ve been outside, and as soon as the brisk air hits me, I breathe in a deep lungful and then grab Sveta’s pink, knit cap from where it’s hanging out of her pocket, pulling it onto her head before she can fight me on it.

I’ve been watching over Sveta for two years, and now it’s just second nature. It’s ingrained in me so deeply that there’s no way it’s ever going to go away, so even though I know we’re safe on Dominic’s property, I can’t help but give the area around us a quick scan. Once we’re at the SUV, Val buckles Samantha in and then gives his sister a hug.

“Text me when you’re ready for a visit,” he tells her.

“I will. I’m going to make him eat something and take a nap, but I’ll text soon.”

“You’re going to make me, huh?” I can’t help but ask. Val laughs and surprises me by giving me a hug too. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a brother, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather step into that role than Val.

“I am,” Sveta says. “I’m the one giving orders now.”

Val laughs and takes a step back. “I’m going to let you two figure this one out on your own.”

Vitaly tosses the keys to Aleksandr and then gives me a pointed look. “You’re no longer her bodyguard.”

I don’t like the idea of another man being in charge of Sveta’s safety, but we both know I’m in no position to keep her safe right now.

“Fine,” I agree, “but we’ll call him when we need him. We don’tneed someone sitting around in the apartment with us.” I look over at Aleksandr and say, “No offense, man.” He’s actually a really good bodyguard, and I’ve never had a problem with him, but I don’t want him hovering over us.

“None taken,” he tells me. “I’ll drop you off, and then just text me when you need me.”

“Fine,” Vitaly agrees, “but don’t you dare take my daughter out without him.”

“I would never put her in danger,” I remind him, “and I know she’ll need to be assigned someone new.”

“I’m already looking into it,” he tells me, and then he extends an olive branch by saying, “When you’re feeling better, we can go over the options.”

Sveta gives me aholy shitlook and then gently nudges me to get in, clearly wanting to end this visit on a high note. I thank him and let my pushy girl get me situated. When I’m sitting in the back next to Samantha’s car seat, she raises a brow and says, “Seat belt, Vitya.”

I laugh as she buckles me in. “Yes, ma’am,” I tell her, making her smile before she shuts the door and walks around to the other side.

Samantha grabs my finger when I rest my hand on her stomach. She babbles the whole way to our apartment building, but I can’t make out any actual words yet. Aleksandr helps us get everything hauled up to my apartment and then leaves with the reminder to call him whenever we need him, no matter the time.

As soon as Sveta shuts the door, she lets out a relieved sigh and unbuckles Samantha. I look around the apartment, feeling like it’s been ages since we were last here. It’s not the wreck we left it as, though. In fact, there are a few things that are definitely different from when I was last standing here. All the baby supplies have been put away somewhere, and there are a few additions to the place.

Walking into the living room, I smile and look back at Sveta when I see a few framed photos on the shelves. I grab the one that she’d taken of me holding Samantha at the farmhouse. There’s another one of all three of us smiling at the camera, and a few more of Samantha’s smilingface. I set the last frame back on the shelf and then run my fingers over the books she’s added.

“I can change everything back if you don’t like it.”

I turn my head to look at her. I’ve never seen her looking so unsure of herself before, and it’s cute as hell.

“I love it,” I tell her. “I want you here with me, Sveta. I want you both here with me.” I spread my arms out, indicating the space around us. It’s a gorgeous apartment, but it’s not the penthouse, and it’s not what she’s used to. “Will you be happy here?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She gets a worried look on her face right before she asks, “You were telling the truth, right? You’ve never brought anyone here?”

“I told you I would never lie to you,” I remind her with an arched brow. “No woman has been here but you.”

“Then, yes, I’ll be happy here.” She gives me an excited smile and nods towards the hall. “Come on, you haven’t seen what else I’ve done.”

Even though, I’m still feeling a bit dead on my feet, her enthusiasm draws me to her. I grab her hand and let her lead me down the hall. Samantha is nestled in her other arm, happily sucking on her pacifier and excited to come along for the ride.

We walk past the home gym and the hall bathroom before stopping in front of the room that’s closest to the bedroom, the one that’s always been empty because I can’t think of anything to do with it. Sveta lets go of my hand so she can reach for the doorknob, but before she opens it, she looks up at me.

“I really hope I wasn’t too presumptuous. I’ve been told I can be that way.”

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