Page 146 of The Lazarov Bratva

Would my father kill me to avoid the shame? Force me to get rid of it? Would they lie to the world and let me bring the baby to term and attach a different father?

Honestly, nothing feels beyond my father’s capability now.

“Alena!” Kristof barks my name, and his grip tightens on my jaw. His other hand clasps my upper arm and he pulls me close. “Talk to me. What are you so afraid of?”

“Alyona, she knew. She kept pushing me and pushing me to take the test, but I didn’t want to because I was scared of what it could mean. Of what could happen and what could change, but if she told them where I was, then she had time to tell them.”

“Tell them what?”

My world blurs as tears fill my eyes, and Kristof’s handsome face swims before me, his face grim with concern.

“I’m pregnant, Kristof,” I gasp out in one breath. “And Alyona knew.”

9

ALENA

There’s a terribly tense silence in the wake of my words. No one moves, not even Andrev. Both he and Kristof turn into statues, and the next few seconds stretch out like hours.

We’ve never spoken about children. I’ve never even seen a hint of fatherly instinct within Kristof. He’s all work, work, work. Rough edges and dark thoughts, fighting constant wars, and doing things that would make most men sick, just to keep people safe.

It’s not a world to bring a child into. I know that from experience, and yet the last few days have quietly taught me one thing. I want to keep this baby. Our baby. The protective urge to keep it safe from everyone who attacked my house and from my father has been primal.

But that hinges on Kristof, the man I love, and yet despite everything we’ve done together, we’ve never talked about children and what it could mean.

Is this a mistake? Should I have kept quiet? Will he tell me to get rid of it?

Fear lances through me, and I’m locked in place just like the others as seconds tick by at a snail's pace.

Then, Kristof’s face suddenly melts into the widest smile I have ever seen grace his handsome, weathered features. He sweeps me up into his arms, and the moment our chests collide, time kicks back into motion again and his laugh reaches my ears.

Kristof clutches me close and spins me around so quickly that my feet leave the ground. I clutch at his shoulders for balance, but I’m safe in his arms.

I’m always safe in his arms.

“Alena,” he cries out, and it hits me that this is the first time I’ve seen him properly smile since we were reunited. “This is amazing!”

My stomach lurches from the spinning, but nothing comes of it as Kristof swiftly sets me down and positively drowns me in kisses. Our lips collide repeatedly. One arm remains locked around my waist while the other cups my face and keeps me angled to receive every swift, greedy press of his mouth.

“This is fantastic!” Each word reaches me between several kisses, and the concern in my heart slowly bleeds away, replaced by an overwhelming exhilaration. Cupping his face, I lean away from his output of affection to look into his eyes. They shine like stars, and my heart swells.

“Really?” I ask softly, my lower lip trembling. “You’re not mad?”

“Mad?” The word spits from him as something so ridiculous. “Alena, why on earth would I be mad?”

He kisses me again so hard that my head swims.

“I’m so proud of you, so fucking proud of you. Look at you. You’ve taken everything so well, and now you’ve taken my seed just as well, and we’re going to have a baby!” He plants another firm, deep kiss to my mouth, and I can’t contain the smile that blooms.

“You’re happy.” I laugh softly, tears welling in the corners of my eyes. “You’re really happy.”

“Of course I am!” Kristof drops to his knees before me and cups my waist, then he presses a tender kiss to my belly.

When he looks up at me, there’s such awe and hope in his eyes that I lose control of the tears welling up and they spill over as I laugh.

“Our baby is in there,” he says softly, kissing my belly once more. I caress his hair, letting the thick strands trail through my fingertips as he lavishes love over my belly. He’s happier than I ever could have imagined, and in this moment, nothing else matters.

Kristof stands abruptly and scoops me up with one arm, placing me down on the counter. Before I can react, he disappears underneath my skirt, and I glance wildly at Andrev, who, thankfully, takes his cue and immediately vacates the kitchen with the other guards.

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