Page 153 of The Lazarov Bratva

It explains why he takes the death of men under his employ so personally.

It pains me further to know how often Kristof thought he had a family and home here, now knowing of Alyona’s betrayal. It’s a wonder Kristof is still—mostly—sane. Having Andrev by his side, though, seems to be a partly deciding factor in ensuring Kristof stays in one piece.

That relief stays even now, given how terrible things have gone with my father. With Ivan and Nastja still absent and Alyona’s betrayal, I’m pleased that Kristof still at least has one constant by his side.

It’s a late Saturday afternoon when Kristof finally appears and presses a long, lingering kiss to my lips.

“What was that for?” I ask, sliding my bookmark into place so I don’t lose the page I’m reading. I lightly grip onto his soft shirt collar, pulling him down before he can retreat and pressing another sweet kiss to his lips.

“I don’t need a reason to kiss you,” Kristof murmurs, moving his hands to the leather cuff wrapped around my wrist. “But if you must know, it’s because you’re irresistible, and I just can’t help myself.”

“That’s a good excuse,” I muse gently.

The cuff clicks softly and falls away from my wrist, causing my heart to jump slightly. Kristof had been clear about the rules. Are we going somewhere? Releasing his collar, I massage my wrist on reflex. The leather isn’t painful against my wrist, but the restriction lingers with every movement I make.

Freedom is refreshing.

“It’s almost too sweet, so what’s going on?”

Before Kristof can answer, Andrev walks into the room with a strange man in tow. He’s tall, with blond hair buzzed so short that he looks bald and a strange golden glow across his head. Square glasses sit on the end of a squashed nose, and when he smiles, a set of picture-perfect pearly whites gleam at me.

Alarm pulses through me, and I clutch at Kristof’s elbow. “Who is this?”

Knowing Kristof is particular about who he lets near me doesn’t calm the burst of anxiety at having a stranger in our bedroom.

“Alena, this is Doctor Barnadon. He’s here to check on you and the baby.” Kristof meets my gaze and clasps my hand. “Don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe, and he’s not going to do anything you don’t want him to, okay?”

I nod, keeping one eye on Barnadon as he glances around the room.

A doctor? Of course. Considering how quickly I'd learned I was pregnant, I hadn’t given much thought to that, but it makes sense. Trust Kristof to be all over this.

“Can I just set it up here?” Barnadon points toward the bedside table.

I nod quickly, slowly relaxing my grip on Kristof’s arm. “Sure.”

Barnadon sets down his large case and begins pulling out all sorts of instruments. The only thing I know the name of is the portable ultrasound, and that’s only because the name is stamped on the side in blue letters.

Kristof kisses the top of my head and then excuses himself from the bed, moving to stand near the footboard with his sharp eyes on the doctor.

Ever my watchful guardian.

Watching Barnadon pull all sorts of items from his case, it strikes me suddenly how little I know about babies and how painfully unprepared I am. I never talked about this with Mara beyond the expectation that I would have a baby one day. The Orlova heir to continue the line.

Other than that, it was barely discussed and my knowledge of everything to come is limited.

“Is there any chance we could call Nastja?” I ask softly, glancing up at Kristof. “I mean… I feel like I barely know anything, and she’s a woman, so…”

A strange look passes between Andrev and Kristof, but before I can press the issue, Barnadon straightens up so suddenly that his back clicks.

“Alright, then, are you ready?”

He gains my full attention, and I nod. “What do you need me to do?”

“I can talk you through everything. Don’t worry, pregnancy and the like can be stressful for first-time mothers, so it’s completely natural if you feel overwhelmed at any point. Your partner told me you have been in an accident?”

“Yes, of sorts.” Is that what we’re calling the attack now?

“It’s best to avoid stress as much as you can. Everything you feel gets passed on to the baby, so rest and peace are incredibly important.” As Barnadon talks, he briefly jabs my thumb with a needle and then presses a device against where blood wells up.

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