Page 78 of Secret Bratva Baby
I laugh, shaking my head.
“I highly doubt the picnic blanket would be packed in the cabinet with pots and pans,” I tease him.
He shrugs, pulling a face that suggests he’s clueless. “Where do people keep picnic blankets?”
“Are you sure you even have one?” I ask, sliding the juice into the cooler box in between the little containers of assorted snacks.
“It should be a default in every home,” he announces with a mock serious tone.
“Let’s just find another blanket. Any blanket. We’ll just wash it after.”
“Good idea. I’m tired of hunting.”
Lily is tucked safely into her baby seat in the back of the car, and I am strapped in at the front. She’s singing a song from one of her favorite cartoons.
Outside, Luka has just finished loading the goodies into the trunk. The car shakes when he closes it and I glance at the rearview mirror to see him dusting his hands together in triumph. “We’re ready,” he says, climbing in.
He turns to look at Lily. “Are you excited for an adventure?”
“Yes,” she squeals, holding up her dragon teddy.
She rests the toy against the edge of the closed window so that he can look out at the scenery as well.
“To the beach,” Luka grins.
In the car behind us, following us through the city, are three security men. They have been told to be discreet and keep a distance. We want to at least pretend for a moment that this is a normal day and we’re just a family out for a picnic.
But we also want to be safe.
“It’s the perfect day to laze about in the sunshine. Soon we’ll run out of these hot days, and it’s going to be cold, fireplace weather,” he chats, his eyes on the road ahead.
“I know of fun ways to stay warm in winter,” I say suggestively.
“I bet you do.” He chuckles. “We can put that extra fluffy blanket in front of the fireplace.” He raises his brows.
I grin, wondering if I’ll still be with him by the time winter is in full swing. No, I shouldn’t think about that now. But still, the thought taints my smile, chipping away at the happiness in my heart.
Stop that, Rose. Enjoy the moment.
We pull into a parking lot near the beach. Lily starts panicking and wiggling against the straps securing her to her seat.
“Hey, hey, what’s going on?” Luka says, turning around to try and help her.
“Need out,” she says, kicking again.
He laughs. “She’s excited.”
“She’s only been to the beach once, and she was too small to remember,” I muse.
“What? But you live in a city right by the beach,” he says in disbelief.
“And I worked seven days a week,” I sigh.
He pulls his mouth tight, his eyes show guilt, but he says nothing.
I didn’t say it to hurt him; that wasn’t my intention. It’s just the truth. And I shouldn’t feel bad for saying things that are true.
I sigh and push the door open, then tug Lily’s door open to help her free herself of her prison seat. Luka gets busy gathering the blanket, umbrella and our snacks.
