Page 59 of The Bratva Bosses' Surrogate

“Damn right,” I say, my tone brooking no argument. “No one’s messing with my girls.”

Just then, a wave splashes against the pier, spraying us with cold sea water. Sofia squeals, a sound so full of life it cuts through my usual grimness like sunlight through clouds.

“Maxym!” she exclaims, half annoyed, half laughing. “You did that on purpose!”

I can’t help the smirk that forms on my lips. “Wouldn’t dream of it, ???????.”

She shakes her head, droplets of water catching in her hair like diamonds. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” I shoot back, the ease of our banter a rare treasure I’ve come to value more than anything in my guarded world.

Before Sofia can retort, my phone rings and when I answer it, I put it on the video.

“Are we interrupting a private moment?” Ivan’s voice is dry, the hint of a smirk playing on his lips as he eyes us.

Viktor claps his hands together, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “Don’t let us stop you. We love the entertainment.”

Sofia rolls her eyes, but her smile is indulgent. “Maxym needed a moment of peace and quiet. We were about to head to the pool. Care to join us?”

The idea of spending the day together, away from the weight of our responsibilities, is appealing. The pool area, secluded and secure, offers a rare opportunity for relaxation, a brief respite from our daily lives.

“Pool day it is, then,” I say, standing up, extending my hand to help Sofia to her feet. Her pregnancy hasn’t slowed her down much, but I’m ever watchful, protective instincts dialed to the max.

As we make our way to the pool, the mood is light, laughter and teasing banter filling the air. Sofia, radiant and lively, becomes the center of attention, her wit sharp enough to keep even Ivan on his toes.

Viktor dives into the pool with a showy splash, challenging us to join him. Ivan follows, more subdued but with a precision that speaks of his disciplined nature.

Sofia sits at the edge, dipping her feet into the water, her laughter ringing out as she splashes water at Viktor when he swims too close. “Behave, or I’ll make sure you regret it,” she warns, but there’s no real heat behind her words.

I slide into the water, positioning myself near her, a silent sentinel even in moments of leisure. “You should get in,” I suggest. “The water’s perfect.”

She hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but then nods. Carefully, she lowers herself into the water.

“We need to do this more often,” Ivan comments, floating on his back, looking more at peace than I’ve seen him in months.

“Yeah, before we’re knee-deep in diapers and baby formula,” Viktor adds, swimming over to where Sofia and I are.

Sofia splashes him lightly. “You’ll be a great dad, Viktor. Just no teaching her any of your bad habits.”

“Who, me?” Viktor feigns innocence, but we all know better.

“Bad habits? I’ll have you know, my habits are nothing but exemplary,” Viktor protests, his tone dripping with mock offense.

Ivan, floating nearby, interjects, “Exemplary at getting us into trouble, maybe.”

I can’t help but chuckle, watching the easy banter unfold. “Let’s not scare Sofia. We’ll be model dads, won’t we?” I say, directing my question towards Viktor and Ivan, offering Sofia a reassuring look.

“Absolutely,” Ivan agrees, pushing himself upright in the water. “We’ll teach her all the important things. Like how to throw a punch and how to spot a tail.”

Viktor nods, swimming closer. “And the art of a well-timed escape. Essential skills for any child of ours.”

Sofia shakes her head, amusement clear in her expression. “How about we start with something simpler? Like, I don’t know, nursery rhymes instead of escape plans?”

“Escape plans can be nursery rhymes,” Viktor quips, earning an eye roll from Sofia.

I wrap an arm around her, pulling her gently against me. “Don’t worry, we’ll keep the teaching material age appropriate. For the first few years, anyway.”

Her laughter blends with the sound of the water, a melody that eases the constant tension that threads through my life. “I’m holding you to that,” she says, her voice light but carrying an undercurrent of sincerity.

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