Page 60 of The Bratva's Hostage Bride

“He’s so cute,” I comment.

“He’s cute like his father,” she giggles. “Except his lips. Those lips are mine.”

“Such kissable lips,” Asher jokes.

Penny pulls a tongue at Asher. “Not all of us can have your stunning eyes.”

They go back and forth like that, and for a few minutes, the doctor is gone. When she walks back in, she looks at me. “Mrs. Milov, do you want the results in private?”

“Is it bad?” I ask. I look at Penny and Asher and then say, “No, it’s fine. What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing wrong. You’re actually pregnant.” She smiles brightly as though this is the best news I could possibly have received.

“Oh my gosh! Hannah! That’s brilliant news!” Asher declares. “I mean, of course, it’s a shock, but this is awesome. Jadey, you’re going to have a little cousin,” She coos at her daughter.

I put a hand over where I imagine the baby is lying. “I… How did you get from headache to baby?”

“Lesser known symptoms,” Dr. Anthony says. “I’m sure your husband is going to be excited. The Milov family loves having babies.”

Penny sets Samuel in his stroller and comes to hug me. “This makes you officially an official sister. Luka is going to be so happy.”

“You can’t tell him,” I look at Dr. Anthony, then at Penny and Asher. “Please,” I beg. “Please don’t tell Luka.”

“It’s okay, sweetie,” Asher says as she rocks Jade. “The men in the Milov family make excellent fathers. They really step up, and Luka will dote on you and the baby with all his love.”

“I’m not ready to have a baby,” I whimper. I sit down, and Penny kneels in front of me.

“I didn’t plan my baby either. At least you’re married. Kervyn and I had a one-night stand, and little Sammy was conceived. I also didn’t marry into the family on the best of terms. Neither did Asher. But our men are passionate, and when they want something, they will burn the world to get it. Especially for their women and their children. Family is everything to the Milovs.”

She takes my hand and squeezes it. “We’re not going to tell him, but you should. He deserves to know, and you can work out everything afterward.”

I look at her with tears in my eyes. “What if he doesn’t want a baby?”

“He will. Trust me.” Penny squeezes my hand again, and I get up quietly.

Penny turns to the doctor. “Don’t let anyone know until I give the word.”

“Yes, Mrs. Milov,” she says, looking a little scared. If Kervyn is head of the family, then it reasons that Penny wields some power too.

“Let’s get you home rather than go shopping,” Asher says, putting Jade in her stroller. “Luka will be home by now, and you can decide what you’re going to do.”

The drive back is mostly spent with Asher and Penny trying to comfort me as best they can, though I feel little comfort at the moment. They drop me off, tell me to be brave, and call them later, and they take off. Jonah walks beside me as I approach our houses. Our house. Is it really our house? Is it not Luka’s Estate?

I walk in as he’s coming out of his study across the foyer.

“Hello, beautiful,” he says.

I burst into tears and he crosses the space quickly to take me in his arms. “What happened?”

I sob into his chest while he strokes my back. He is so gentle. He holds me like I’m so fragile. He’s rubbing my back, then stroking my hair gently and kissing my head.

I look up at him. “Please don’t be mad.”

He looks at me concerned. “What’s wrong? Tell me. Maybe I can help?”

“I’m pregnant,” I burst out, starting to sob again.

He hugs me tightly, and I think for a moment that he’s dumbstruck, much like I was in the doctor's office. Then he’s hugging me and kissing my head. He tips my face up to look at me, kisses me deeply, and smiles.

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