Page 53 of Secret Bratva Twins

Her hands cupped my cheeks, and she tiptoed, peering into my eyes as far as hers would let. “Max, what was that? Are you okay?”

I moved away from her grasp. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Talk about falling and breaking your head.” She scoffed and stepped away.

I managed a strangled laugh despite the bangs that tried to split my head open. “You caught me and stopped that from happening.”

But she wasn’t finding anything funny, far from it. The corners of her eyes creased, showing just how upset she was. I didn’t want her worrying, so I stood my ground. “You’re feeling headaches again, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not. I’m fine, okay? Don’t you have a play date with the kids? You should go get ready for it.”

“Well, that’s why I came in here until I saw you moving to the bathroom. Someone that got shot, almost died, and is supposed to be on that bed, resting,” she fired rapidly.

“It’s not time yet for me to die. When the time comes, trust me, I’ll be the first to find out.”

Pain crossed her eyes. I was shutting her out, which meant I was dropping the topic. She took a step forward. “Max—”

“I said I’m fucking fine, Gianna! You and my brothers have to stop with all the fuss. No one can convince me to get back on that bed and do what? Rest?” She flinched. Fuck. I massaged my temple. What the fuck was I doing? I let out a sigh and a frustrated growl.

When I was sure the flames in my eyes had cooled out, I hung my head to the side and stretched my arms out. “Come here...” I coaxed. Cautiously, she covered the distance between us, and I pulled her in. “I’m sorry, princess, but you can’t ask me to pretend like we’re in some fucking world where your lives are not in danger. I have to wake up and face the reality.”

I kissed her nose.

“So, no. No resting until we’ve squashed every fucking cockroach under our feet.”

Her voice was tiny when she said, “I hate cockroaches.”

I pulled her even closer, missing her body heat. “Me too.”

She exhaled. “It’s obvious there’s no talking you back into bed.”

“Depends on what the reasons are.”

She wacked my chest lightly with a smile I wanted to kiss. “I refuse to be an addition to the headaches.”

My lips found hers, and I kissed her like our lives depended on it. She held onto me, and I dipped her head back, delving as deep as our lips would go. She tasted sweet, like strawberries, and it fucked with me. I wanted more of it. Craved more of her. We moved in sync, feet backing until hers hit the foot of the bed.

She stilled, and I understood her hesitation. She cared so much; she thought something as light as a quickie would hurt me. So fucking adorable it almost hurt. I let her go and ignored the relief in her eyes.

With one last kiss on her lips, I breathed, “You should know you’re the cure to my headaches.”

Her giggle echoed in the room as she placed her hand on my chest and gently pushed me away. “I know that, but there are other things we need to do.”

I pursed my lips. “Like what?”

“Ms. Popov was flushed when she saw the boys. Your family is downstairs too,” she said, rising to her feet and stretching a hand to me. “We should join them.”

I took her hand and followed her lead downstairs.

My brothers and sisters-in-law went quiet the moment I came in. Whatever they were discussing, they probably didn’t want me to hear. Nikolai’s brow raised, his forehead creased with worry. “You sure you’re supposed to be walking around?”

“I’m fine.” I glanced to the center of the living room where the boys were sprawled on the rug, playing with their cousins. They seemed to be getting along just fine until they noticed us. Our boys ran to Gianna, cradling her legs.

She squatted, her eyes beaming with so much love as she looked at them. I grew misty eyed as well as I squatted next to her.

Gianna held their little hands. “Boys, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

One of them—they were so identical I couldn’t tell the difference just yet—looked at me. “Santa?”

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