Page 23 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

“Didn’t know you guys were such softies,” I tease, nudging Maxym with my elbow.

He shoots me a look that’s half annoyance, half amusement. “We’re not soft. Just appreciating the art.”

“Yeah, the art of making grown men uncomfortable,” Ivan adds, but I catch him quickly wiping his eye.

As the movie progresses, their comments become fewer, their attention more fixed on the screen. By the end, as the credits roll, there’s a heavy silence.

“Well,” Viktor finally says, “that was...something.”

Ivan stretches, trying to act nonchalant. “Yeah, something. Like a two-hour lesson on what not to do.”

Maxym shakes his head. “I need a drink.”

I can’t resist the urge to tease them a little more. “Oh, come on, admit it, it wasn’t that bad.”

Maxym pauses, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever watched,” he concedes, “but don’t expect me to start quoting it anytime soon.”

Ivan, who’s been quietly collecting the empty popcorn bowl, chimes in. “Yeah, and if I ever start writing you love letters every day for a year, just shoot me.”

Viktor, standing by the door, adds, “Or build a house with our bare hands. That’s a no-go as well.”

I laugh, enjoying their discomfort. “Well, it’s good to know your limits. But admit it, it got to you. Even just a little bit.”

Maxym rolls his eyes but there’s a lightness to his tone. “Maybe a little. But if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it.”

Ivan grins, a rare sight. “Yeah, what happens during movie night stays in movie night,” and still grinning, adds, “next time we’re watching something with car chases and explosions. I need to balance out all this sentimentality.”

I’m nestled comfortably between them, the warmth and the shared laughter making the room feel cozier than it ever has. It’s strange how a movie can bring people together like this.

Maxym’s gaze suddenly turns serious. “So, have you finally made your decision?”

I look up, puzzled. “What decision?”

“Whose baby you want to carry,” he clarifies, his tone even.

Oh. That decision. I pause, taking a moment before I respond. “Oh, about that... I was thinking... all of you.”

Ivan chuckles, disbelief written all over his face. “What? We only need one baby. Not... three.”

I rush to explain, “I know. Just one baby. It’s just that... I don’t really want to choose...”

Viktor’s voice is firm. “But you must choose.”

I look at them, each face showing a different reaction. “Does it really matter to you guys who is the father out of the three of you?”

Maxym’s response is immediate. “No, not really, as long as it’s ours.”

“Okay then, I’ll have all three of you as the father,” I declare, a bit more boldly than I feel.

Ivan, ever the joker, chuckles as he takes a sip of his drink. “Well, that’s not how biology works, sweetie.”

I roll my eyes, not in the mood for a lesson. “Don’t teach me biology. I know it. What I was trying to say is that, if I have sex with all three of you and you can’t be sure who’s the father, then it would technically be all of your kid. Isn’t that right?”

There’s a short silence as I wait for their reaction, watching them closely. I can almost swear I see a hint of a blush on their tough faces.

Finally, Viktor breaks the silence. “So, you’re suggesting a foursome?”

Maxym and Ivan exchange a glance, clearly trying to process this new development. I can see the desire and curiosity in their eyes, but also the fear of stepping into uncharted territory.

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