Page 65 of Sinful Union

Vlad nods. “Of course.”

Before he leaves, he brushes a kiss against my cheek. “I don’t know where this is headed, Kat,” he whispers, “but I’ll protect you and Ana, no matter what.”

Tears sting my eyes. “Thank you.”

He offers me a tight, sad smile, then slips out the door. The air instantly feels cold in his absence.

I feel helpless. The possibility that my own brother murdered our parents, that he’s a traitor to our family and the Bratva, and that we’re standing on the precipice of a war with him, is all too much to bear.

Ana is safe for now, but at what cost? We’ve escalated the conflict by taking her away. He’ll be furious when he finds out she’s living with us.A warm hand settles on my shoulder. I turn, blinking back tears. Pavel is looking at me with warm concern in his eyes.

“Kat,” he says, and that’s all it takes for my composure to shatter.

A sob escapes before I can choke it back. I hate how vulnerable I feel.“I’m sorry,” I manage, my voice quivering, “for all of this.”

He pulls me into a tight hug. It’s warm and solid, and right now, it’s exactly what I need.

Chapter 29

Kat

Ilinger in the doorway of our bedroom, my pulse ticking a little too fast.

Dinner was peaceful. The house is easing into its new rhythm effortlessly. Ana is settled in her room with Camille right next door.It was so good to be able to tuck my daughter in again. It’s been way too long, and I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed it.

Vlad’s gone for the night, making arrangements to have our things sent over. I worry for him, worry what might happen if Piotr were to find out his own family is investigating him.

Pavel stands in front of me, rolling up his sleeves, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “You look tired,” he says.

I step into the room. “It’s been a long day.”

He arches a brow. “That’s an understatement.”

“You’re telling me.” I stop mid-step, raising a hand to my mouth. “God, how selfish of me. You found out you’re a father today, and here I am, making it all about myself.”

Pavel looks away for a moment, then places his hands on my upper arms. His touch soothes me instantly, as it always does. “It’s not about you or me. It’s about all of us. But especially that little girl down the hall.Ourlittle girl.”

I smile. My Ana. Just thinking about her has a way of calming me, centering me.

He grins. “I have an idea.”

“An idea?”

“Yep. I think a bath might help, hot, with lots of bubbles.”

I can’t help but laugh. “That does sound good.”

“Come with me.”

He leads me to our bathroom, flipping on the lights, then dimming them. The tub is massive and inviting. It’s also something I unfortunately never seem to have time for. Pavel crouches down and turns on the water, testing it under his hand and adjusting the knobs until he’s satisfied. A handful of bath salts, a generous pour of bubble solution, and soon foam is swirling across the surface, a lovely scent of lavender filling the air.

Neither of us says much as the tub fills. We just stand side by side, the sound of running water echoing around us as steam fills the room. My nerves hum beneath my skin, tangled up with exhaustion and anxiety.I should tell him about the baby, but I don’t want to break the spell of the moment, not yet.

Pavel tests the water again. “Perfect.” He dries his hand off on his pants leg, then asks, “You ready?”

“For a hot, relaxing bath? Always.”

His lips twitch, a low chuckle escaping as he pulls his shirt over his head. My breath catches when I look at him. He’s all sharp lines and hard muscle. No matter how many times I see him shirtless, it always gets my heart beating faster.

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