Page 56 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

“Listen here, ??????? – darling.” My voice drops low, the Russian term of endearment tumbling from my lips. “I’ve got you.”

Despite the mask and regulator, her face speaks volumes of her trust in me, a trust I’m determined not to betray.

With a firm grip on her hand, I lead us into the embrace of the ocean, the dark abyss swallowing us whole. As we descend, the world above fades away, replaced by the silent, pressing depth of the sea. The only sounds are our regulated breaths, bubbles racing to the surface, our lifeline to the world we’ve left behind.

The water’s chill seeps through our suits, but Sofia’s hand in mine is warm, a tangible connection in the enveloping darkness. I squeeze it reassuringly, guiding us deeper until the ocean floor comes into view, a shadowy landscape illuminated by the faint glow of our dive lights.

Shadows move in the periphery, the sleek forms of sharks gliding through the water with an elegance that belies their power. Sofia’s grip tightens, her fascination clear even through the mask. I lean in close, pointing out a particularly large shadow that’s come to investigate, its curiosity about us as clear as ours about it.

The shark, a magnificent creature, circles us once, its eyes reflecting a world so different from our own.

As we begin our ascent, leaving the sharks to their domain, I can feel Sofia’s exhilaration, her body practically vibrating with it. When we break the surface, the world seems brighter, more vivid.

Back on the boat, she’s all smiles and laughter, the thrill of the dive igniting a light in her eyes I’ve never seen before. “That was incredible,” she exclaims, her words tumbling out in a rush. “I can’t believe we did that!”

I can’t help but laugh, her happiness infectious. “Told you it’d be an adventure, ???????.”

Changing back into our clothes after the dive feels like stepping out of one world and into another. The adrenaline still courses through my veins, a reminder of the surreal experience we just shared.

“Wow!” Sofia says, pulling her hair back into a loose ponytail. Her eyes are alight, the thrill of the dive painting her features with excitement. “I never thought I’d actually swim with sharks.”

I can’t help but grin at her enthusiasm. “Told you I’d show you a good time. You think I’d let you get bored with me?”

She laughs, a sound that’s quickly becoming my favorite melody. “Bored? With you? Never. Although, I was half expecting you to wrestle a shark down there.”

“Give me some credit, ???????. I know how to impress a lady without resorting to brute force,” I retort, closing the distance between us. She’s standing there, in her simplicity, more stunning than any weapon I’ve ever wielded.

“Yeah, well, you definitely made today memorable,” she admits, her gaze softening as she looks up at me.

As we make our way back to the shore, the silence around us is comfortable, filled with unsaid words and shared secrets. The kind of silence you only get when you’re completely at ease with someone.

“You know, I didn’t just do this for the thrill,” I find myself saying, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “I wanted to share something different with you. Something out of the ordinary.”

She stops, turning to look at me, her expression thoughtful. “Different is good, Viktor.”

I realize that this is what I want—more days like this, with Sofia, with our growing family. It’s a future I hadn’t dared to imagine before, but now, it’s all I can think about.

Chapter 22

Sofia

Waking up in Maxym’s bed wasn’t part of any plan. But last night, with the house echoing too much silence and my thoughts too loud, seeking comfort seemed like the only option. And Maxym, well, he was the only one around.

The morning light filters through the curtains, casting soft patterns across the room. I’m hyper-aware of his warm body next to me, his breathing even, a peaceful expression on his face. It’s rare to see him so unguarded, the constant hardness which shadows his features softened by sleep.

I shift slightly, and his arm instinctively tightens around me, pulling me closer. “Morning,” his voice is rough with sleep.

“Did I wake you?” I ask, though I’m not really sorry if I did.

He cracks an eye open, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. “Was hoping it wasn’t a dream,” he murmurs, and damn if my heart doesn’t skip a beat.

“Me, in your bed? Sounds like a nightmare,” I tease, trying to lighten the moment, to ignore how right it feels being here with him.

He laughs, the sound deep and genuine. “Best nightmare I’ve ever had then.”

We lie there for a moment, comfortable in the silence that wraps around us. But I can’t help the restlessness that starts to creep in, the need to push against the boundaries of this unexpected intimacy. “So, what’s the plan for today? More brooding and scowling at everyone?”

Maxym sits up, running a hand through his hair. “Thought I’d start the day by making breakfast. You in?”

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