Page 112 of Mafia Prince's Secret Baby

Katya’s lips press into a thin line, and she stares out the window, her hands twisting nervously in her lap. “I’m scared,” she whispers. “Not that I wish her dead, but what if she comes after me again? Or Sofiya this time?”

The knot in my chest tightens. If anyone deserves peace, it’s Katya. And damn if I’m not going to do everything in my power to make it a reality.

“You’ll have to trust me,volchitsa,” I say softly, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Vasiliy’s on a plane to Moscow with Boris right now. And while I’m not a fan of the Russian secret service, even I have to admit, they’re experts at making people disappear. I’m just glad your brother is on our side, dealing with the Olenkos instead of us.”

Her expression softens, and a small smile tugs at her lips, the worry lines on her forehead fading slightly.

“There’s one more thing we have to talk about,” she says hesitantly. The weight of her words hangs in the air between us.

“Yes,” I nod, my heart thudding as I prepare for what’s coming. “I have all my arguments ready. If you want to do this now.”

She draws a slow breath. “I have a job waiting for me back in Moscow,” she says, her tone weak, like she’s trying to convince herself as much as me. “My sabbatical is coming to an end next month. It’s a good job—an influential one. A job that allows me to make a difference. And I worked very hard for it.”

I take a deep breath, buying myself a moment to collect my thoughts. This shouldn’t be so hard. I have no right to ask Katyato give up her career for me. But at the same time, I can’t lose her and Sofiya.

The car isn’t the best place for this conversation, especially with two kids in the backseat, but if Katya’s ready to talk about it now, I can’t push it aside.

I pull over to the side of the road and shift in my seat to face her.

“I understand everything you’re saying,” I begin, reaching for her hand. “No matter what you decide, I’ll support you. We can make it work over long distance too. The decision is yours. But...”

She watches me, the fingers of her free hand nervously toying with her earrings, that little habit I find maddeningly sexy.

“But I need you to hear me out. Can you do that?”

She nods slowly, her eyes meeting mine, and in that moment, I feel it—the raw vulnerability in her gaze, the way she’s looking to me for answers and reassurance.

“You changed me, Katya,” I whisper. “You came in like a tornado, sweeping away everything dark and stale. From the moment I met you, you unlocked something in me—something I didn’t even know was there. You embraced my darkness. You gave my life meaning again. And damn if I’m not going to fight for you.”

My voice catches, and I take another breath, my grip on her hand tightening.

“I want us to be a family,” I continue, my voice firm and unwavering. “I want you and Sofiya to stay in New York. I want you to be my wife. And if we’re lucky, I want us to have a few more kids.”

Her lips part, her eyes widening, and for a moment, the world stands still.

A tear slips down her cheek, catching the golden light filtering through the window. It clings there for a heartbeatbefore sliding down, and my chest tightens. She doesn’t need to say much for me to know I hit the mark.

“The love I have for you and the kids… It’s a love that won’t dim or fade. I want to be with you, Igor. But…” She hesitates, her hands nervously twisting together in her lap. “I’m not built to be a housewife or a stay-at-home mom. I like working. Ilovemy job. What will I do if stay here?”

It hits me like a punch to the gut. This is so quintessentiallyher.Katya is strong, independent, driven. It’s one of the reasons I love her, one of the reasons I can’t imagine a future without her.

I exhale deeply, inching closer, my hands moving to cup her face. Her skin feels warm under my palms, grounding me as I gather my thoughts.

“Katya,” I murmur, “You of all people deserve the best. Hell, youarethe best. So stay with me. Help me take care of our family and build something of your own. I know it’s not ideal to start over, but I promise I’ll help you set it all up. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

Her lips part slightly, her bright green eyes searching mine. It’s as if she’s peering into my soul, dissecting every word, weighing every promise I’m laying at her feet. I lean closer, letting the sincerity of my words hang in the air.

“You can get a license to practice law in the States,” I continue, warming to the train of thought. “I’ll figure out how. Hell, I’ll sit down and study with you if that’s what it takes. You can take every step at your own pace, and I’ll be with you for all of it. Every late night, every early morning—I’ll be there. We’ll make it work. You’ll never have to give up what you love,andyou’ll have us. What do you say?”

She blinks, and for a moment, I can see the weight of her fears lifting.

“I suppose we can try,” she whispers, her words trembling with the uncertainty of someone stepping into the unknown.

The words are like music to my ears. Relief courses through me as I pull her in for a kiss, desperate to show her how much this means to me. But before our lips can touch, a tiny green blur lands on my shoulder, startling both of us.

“Arnold!” Damien’s delighted cry cuts through the tension, his voice bubbling with excitement.

The gecko clings to me, its small claws scratching against my shirt as I look over at Damien, who’s grinning ear to ear. Innocent, joyful laughter fills the car, wrapping around us like a warm embrace. It’s infectious, pulling a deep, unrestrained laugh from Katya. I glance over at her, and my chest swells at the sight.

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