Page 42 of Bratva Daddies for the Single Mom

“Because no one would dare bother them once they’re under our protection.” Viktor’s nod of thanks solidified our stance.

Fyodor leaned forward so he stared past Viktor. “You have seen the lengths we’re willing to go.”

Maybe that wasn’t the best way to convince her, but Annie already suspected enough about our violence. I understood Fyodor’s point. If I was willing to snap a man’s wrist for touching her, there were no limits to what I’d do to protect her and her daughters. “We will not try to force you to introduce us, of course. We merely wish to protect you.” I tempered the surge of anger that roared at the mere thought of anyone hurting Annie, Hannah, or Hailey.

Understanding of my tactic dawned on Viktor’s face. “No matter what you choose, we would keep the girls away from the violence.”

“How?” Annie splayed her hands in a ‘show me’ gesture. “How do you keep this world from interfering with your lives?”

“We don’t take violence home with us,” Viktor replied. His mouth twisted. “Knife play during sex does not count as violence.”

Annie flushed red from her neck to the roots of her hair. “I wasn’t asking about that.”

“No?” Viktor chuckled. “But you thought it.”

“You’re impossible.” She rolled her eyes.

“Impossible to resist.” Fyodor wiggled his body like a puppy too excited for its skin. He sobered a second later. “The girls don’t have to know what we do. It’s easy enough to hide if we try. We simply didn’t bother hiding anything from you.”

“No?” Disbelief ravaged her tone and crossed her arms.

Viktor darted forward and kissed her cheek. “No. From the moment you walked onto the auction stage and stole our attention, we have shown you exactly who we are.”

“Brave, honorable men,” I added in case she needed the reminder.

“And humble too.” Fyodor scoffed, but his smile made sure no one misunderstood his sarcasm. “What they are trying to say is that when you feel it’s right, when the girls are old enough, we will tell them the truth about us.”

It was the first time we’d made any true mention of the future beyond the next few days or weeks. Fyodor spoke of years into the future, and I realized I’d already placed Annie in our lives forever. It hadn’t occurred to me that she might want to leave.

“I’ve been in this for the long term since the beginning.” I said the words that kept my heart beating. Annie was now part of my life, the soft, innocent part that gave me hope.

“You would do that?” She met each of our gazes in turn. “You’d protect the girls not just from your enemies but from this life?”

“Yes.” Viktor answered for all of us.

I almost offered a hint of truth that this life was not as violent as she seemed to think. Yes, I’d hurt people during our years together. But those days were rare. Viktor’s father set him up for success, and Viktor’s personality and iron-fisted rule kept everything running at a quick and stable pace. Men like Miles Kent were rare.

“Will you allow us to do this for you?” Fyodor’s intensity locked onto Annie.

Most women would shrink into themselves under that glare. Not Annie. She straightened, her body unfurling from its stooped position as a flower toward the light. “I’m willing to try. You’ve shown that you understand how much it means to me.”

“Is there anything else that we need to discuss?” Viktor conducted the situation like one of his meetings, cutting straight to the point and keeping everyone on track.

I had other, more interesting ideas for how to end the afternoon, and they included Annie removing her clothes.

A twitch in her fingers attracted my attention as a guilty look flitted across her face. She remained squared up with Viktor, the look gone so fast I doubted either of them noticed. “No.”

It was a lie. I’d seen and heard enough of them to taste it in the air, the bitterness that followed the darting look to the left and her gulp of breath. Annie hid something more from us. Did I push the issue or leave it to work itself out? Viktor would push until he’d gathered every bit of information. I hesitated to risk pushing her so far that she abandoned us and the tentative offer of commitment. I’d figure it out sooner or later. No one resisted me forever once I began an interrogation. Annie’s would be a questioning of a different sort.

“Then I suggest we kiss and make up.” I puckered my lips and made kissing sounds.

Annie giggled, the sense of desperation popping into thin air. “I like how you think. And I like kissing.” She raised one eyebrow and tilted her head toward the door. “Should we go somewhere else?”

“Here is fine.” I patted my lap. “Let me show you how much we care for you.”

“Make-up sex in Viktor’s office.” She scooted closer. “An interesting choice.”

“Not nearly as interesting as the things I want to do to you.” I unbuttoned the top button on her shirt and slid my hand up her thigh.

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