Page 61 of Mafia Handbook

Bash didn’t hesitate, placing his hand in the center of her back as he guided her toward a bench he knew sat in the tiny garden beside the church.

Tucking her dress under her thighs, Milena practically moaned as the pressure to her toes was instantly released.

Sliding into the spot beside her, Bash laid his arm across the back, his fingers brushing the curls dangling around her shoulders.

“I want you to know it has killed me to be away from you the past few weeks. Even the mission Slate sent me on did little to settle my mind.” Reaching into his jacket pocket, Bash pulled out his phone. “Yesterday, I received a call from Gil.”

Slamming her eyes shut, “That little.”

Laying his hand on Milena’s lap, “Hold on. He told me you came to my office to talk to me, but not what it was about. What he did tell me,” looking at his phone, Bash pulled up the video he’d retrieved last night. “Was the reason you pushed me away was because of this.”Milena glanced down at the phone. “I know what you heard was hurtful, but if you’d tapped that security screen ten seconds sooner than you had, this is what you would have heard.”

Bash kept his eyes locked on Milena as he tapped the screen with his thumb. After getting off the phone with Gil, he’d spent the better part of an hour trying to figure out what she’d heard.

Running her finger along the seam of her purse, Milena felt as if she was watching a horror film instead of two men exchanging pleasantries. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself for the moment which had shattered her into a million pieces.

“You’ve spent your whole life believing every woman you meet is going to leave you like your mother did.”

“Milena is nothing like my mother.”

“You’re right, Bash. Milena is sweet and pretty, and let’s not forget, our client.”

“I said I was doing this pro-bono.”

“Which part of you made that decision? Your cock who wanted to fuck her, or your bloated ego that refuses to learn how to lose? I mean it's one thing to lie to yourself, but—”

“Fine, I admit it, I did all of this because I can’t fucking stand to lose. But one fucking look was all it took to toss my egotistic bullshit out the window. I fucking love her, man.”

Silence hung in the air as Bash pocketed his cellphone. He’d laid his proverbial cards on the table and it was time to see if Milena felt the same.

“I owe you an apology,” Milena’s confession was barely above a whisper. “I allowed my insecurities to make me believe a man like you only wanted someone like me to fulfill his carnal needs.” Lifting her gaze to Bash’s, “Can you forgive me?”

Blowing out a measured breath, Bash stretched out his legs and pretended to ponder her request. “On one condition.”

Nodding, “Name it.”

“You tell me the reason why you came by my office yesterday.” Bash found it impossible to sleep last night, a thousand possibilities of what she could have needed to see him in person to discuss.

Lifting the flap of her purse, Milena reached inside, retrieving the cellphone Kevin insisted she carry.

“Before I show you this, I need to know if you meant what you told Slate, about being in love with me?”

Running his knuckles over hers, “It was true then, and it’s more so now.” Palming her jaw, Bash leaned over, placing a kiss to the edge of her lips. “I love you, Milena.”

Turning her face, Milena gripped the back of Bash’s neck, sealing her lips to his. “I love you, too, Bash,” she admitted, ending the kiss before it became heated. “I came to your office yesterday to show you this.”

Offering her phone to Bash, Milena’s hand shook as he took it from her.

Bash scanned the photo through confused eyes. At first, he thought he was looking at a satellite picture of a body of water. It wasn’t until he scanned the top of the page, finding Milena’s name and a series of dates, did it hit him.

“You’re pregnant?”

Looking at Bash through a watery smile, “Yes, seven weeks today.”

Shifting his gaze back to Milena. “That’s why you look so pale.”

Shrugging, “Part of it.”

“Part of it? Are you okay? Do I need to get you something?” Bash cupped her face with his free hand, wiping an errant tear off her cheek.

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