Page 13 of Secret Bratva Baby
I turn her away from him, still angry with him for taunting me with the endearing name he used to call me when we were in love.
“Mommy, what is it?”
“What is what, my sweet girl?” I ask, glancing nervously at Luka.
“Where we? Want to go home.”
“Me, too little one, but um—um, we’re sleeping here tonight.”
“Sleepover?”
“Yes, baby. A sleepover, like you have at Lily’s house.”
She grins, her eyes red with sleep. “I like sleeping over.”
“I know you do, my sweetheart,” I smile at her.
My eyes drift to Luka. I don’t want to scare Lily. After everything that’s happened tonight, I want to just get her to sleep, and maybe we can figure this all out in the morning.
Luka clenches his jaw and shifts his weight from one foot to the other as he shoves his hands into his pockets.
“Follow me,” he says, tilting his head towards the passageway leading off the living room.
He walks ahead, and I follow a few paces behind, unsure of what to expect from him.
Where will he make me sleep?
Is he going to make me share a room with him? Or do prisoners get dumped into cells? I don’t know what to expect at all.
When he pushes open a door and gestures for me to go inside, I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s just a normal bedroom with a big, king-sized bed in the middle.
Then I realize, dammit, he’s going to stay in here with me. But he takes a step out of the bedroom.
“The bathroom is through that door. You’ll find everything you need in there. Tomorrow I’ll have someone bring things for your daughter—uh, Lily. Some clothes or whatever—you can make a list, whatever kids need,” he shrugs. I can’t help but wonder how he’d react if he found out she is his.
“Thank you,” I mutter. For now, I’m just grateful that Lily and I have our own room, and it’s comfortable and way fancier than my room at home.
Luka clenches his jaw, his eyes lowered to the floor.
“Goodnight, Rose,” he says, without looking at me.
“Goodnight, Luka,” I reply.
He pulls the door shut, and I wait a few breaths before letting myself relax. “Mommy, who that?”
“It’s a friend of mommy’s from a long time ago.” I smile, setting Lily down on the bed. She wiggles, crawling across it, giggling.
“Oh, no, we aren’t playing now. Get your little butt underneath these blankets and close your eyes.”
“But I want a story,” she pouts.
“I can tell you a story. But only once you’re tucked in. Do you need to wee?”
“No.” She shakes her head seriously. I tilt my head and put my hands on my hips. “Lily Ann, do you need to wee?”
She giggles and scrunches her nose. “Yes.”
“Come on.” I laugh, lifting her in my arms.
