Page 76 of Possessive Vows

His eyes round as he studies the different types of scars on my torso.

After a moment, the color drains from his face and horror shines from his eyes. Regret follows, and panic thrums in my chest. I can’t let him go down the road of self-disgust.

“I was very sad when it happened, but I’m okay now. I have you, Maksim, Zoya, and your father in my family now. That’s more than I ever thought I could ask for.”

“Even when we are mean?” he asks in a small voice.

The hope lurking behind his skepticism threatens to crack my heart in two. I nod.

“Yes, even when you’re mean.”

I stop talking before sobs break free of my chest.

Artur wraps his arms around his midsection and blinks at nothing a few times before meeting my eyes.

“I am sorry, Madam Camilla,” he says before fleeing the room.

My heart aches.

So does every inch of my body, but I’d rather cut out my own liver than end my time with Maksim and Zoya in my arms.

Dimitri’s bright blue eyes glint as he catches my longing glance at the pillows. Maybe we should all cuddle up and take a nap together.

A phone buzzes with an urgent staccato. Dimitri pulls his cell out of his pocket.

The shift in his expression may be subtle, but I understand it all the same. He doesn’t like whatever news he just received. Something is wrong.

Dread knots my stomach.

Chapter 18

Dimitri Volkov

I never thought I’d be jealousof my own children, but here I stand, wishing Camilla would hold me to her as tightly as she does Maksim and Zoya.

Her eyes drift toward the pillows. Exhaustion emanates from her. The ice packs crinkle on her limbs.

My phone vibrates in my pocket in a rhythm saved for important messages, so I yank it out and check large the text.

Giorgio’s expert hacker of a wife found signs of Feliks mobilizing groups of men all over the city. I fill in the gaps with ease, since my brother is an egotistical, conniving bastard who only does things that benefit himself.

He didn’t care when I took the two men I overheard heard outside the club because they knew nothing, but the three my soldiers caught an hour ago must have information he doesn’t want me to know.

“Is everything okay?” Camilla asks.

“Da, so´lnyshka. Work can wait until tomorrow. Sit and rest for a few more minutes, then I will remove the ice packs and prepare the bed,” I say.

I will not get the privilege of alone time with my wife tonight, but I do not mind. The gratitude shining from her eyes solidifies my decision and helps me ignore my aching blue balls.

She relaxes her shoulders. I guide Maksim to her side, surrounding her in innocent bundles of joy, and ensure the snacks and drinks are in easy reach before heading into the hall.

I send my brother-in-law a reply, confirming I received the information, and agree to his proposed plan before slipping my phone back into my pocket and starting toward the hall.

The house security chimes, so I detour to the front door and retrieve the food delivery. As I carry it into the kitchen, the delicious smells waft through the home. Tiny feet patter along the floor toward me. Maksim skids into the kitchen.

I recruit him to help spread the food over the table and prep the disposable place settings before giving him the task of retrieving his brother as I return to Camilla. Zoya clings to the seam of her pants and sucks her thumb as I follow them down the hall with the tray.

After an uneventful dinner, with Artur subdued and Maksim yawning at the end of every sentence, Camilla drags herself with Zoya in tow back to the master bedroom as I tend to the boys. When they finally settle into their beds, I leave their door cracked open, put the leftovers away, and turn off all the overhead lights in the house.

---