Page 39 of The Bratva Queens' Kings

Luca grins, a challenge sparking in his eyes. "Oh? Betting against me already?"

I can't help the laugh that bubbles up. "Always," I quip, the atmosphere between us light and sparking with playful banter. "Let’s just wait and see who’s buying dinner when the time comes."

"Deal," Luca agrees, his hand still lingering on my belly as if waiting for another sign from our tiny rebel. "But either way, this kid’s going to be a fighter. Got the best of both worlds."

"True," I concede, leaning into his touch, the moment softening around the edges. "A perfect mix."

The laughter fades, a shadow crossing my thoughts. The weight of our reality, the dangers that lurk just beyond the safety of this hospital room, presses in. I find myself voicing a fear I've kept buried deep, a whisper of doubt that chills the warmth between us. "Luca, have you ever thought... maybe it would be safer if... if we gave the baby up for adoption? To keep them safe from... all of this?"

Luca's expression shifts, the joy of moments ago replaced by a depth of understanding that only someone who's lived through our kind of storm could offer. "Lana, I know you're scared. I am too. But think about it—"

The baby kicks again. It's as if our unborn child is listening, casting their vote to stay with us, to fight alongside us.

I continue, the words spilling out with a mix of fear and resolve. "If someone can get into our house to hurt me, they’d probably track down our baby too. It's better to keep them close, to raise them to be so ferocious that they can protect themselves."

Luca nods, his grip on my hand tightening. "Exactly. We'll teach them, protect them. They'll have us, Lana. And we're not just anyone; we're their parents. We'll make sure they're strong, smart... ferocious, even."

His words, sincere and filled with an unwavering commitment, bolster my resolve. The idea of parting with our child, once a fleeting thought born of fear, now seems unimaginable. This baby, our baby, belongs with us, despite the dangers that our life entails.

With Luca's help, I pull myself back together.

As if sensing my need for a shift, Luca leans in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, if our kid inherits your stubbornness, we're in for quite the ride."

I can't help but snort, the tension easing as I shoot back, "Oh, as if your flair for dramatic entrances is any less of a trait to worry about."

He chuckles, the sound warm and grounding. Closing the distance between us, he places his hand gently on my cheek, his touch soft but filled with an intensity that sends my heart racing. "Well, then," he says, his voice dropping to a more flirtatious tone, "I guess we'll just have to teach them the art of the dramatic exit. Starting with how to make their mom blush on cue."

The air between us crackles with a playful yet palpable energy. I roll my eyes, but the affection in my gesture is unmistakable. "As if I'd ever fall for such an obvious ploy."

His response is a grin, one that promises both challenge and reward. "Oh, you fall for it every time."

Before I can retort, Luca pulls me in, the space between us disappearing as his lips meet mine.

His grin grows wider as he pulls me closer, one hand now sliding up my spine to cup the back of my head. His other hand slips down my waist, tracing the curve of my hip before pressing against the seam of my jeans. “I missed you.” he says.

He starts kissing down my neck.

“Luca… We can’t do it here. What if the doctor walks in?”

Luca chuckles, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Then we'll have to make it quick," he whispers in my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.

I can't help but laugh, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. "You're so bad," I protest, but my words are lost in another kiss.

His hands move up to my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. They're full of heat and need, making it hard for me to think clearly. "We both know you like it when I'm bad.”

But before the heat between us could ignite further, the door creaks open, a figure stepping into the room. We break apart, our breathing ragged as we hastily straighten our disheveled selves. The guard's eyes flit between us, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," he says with a playful tone, though his eyes betray a hint of mischief. "Just making sure everything's alright here."

I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment, shooting a quick glance at Luca whose grin refuses to fade. "Everything's fine, thank you," I manage to say, trying to sound composed despite the lingering traces of desire in my voice.

The guard chuckles knowingly, his gaze lingering on us for a moment longer before he nods and exits the room, leaving us alone once more. I let out a shaky breath, my heart still racing from the close call.

“We’ll continue this later.” I say.

Luca’s eyes sparkle with a mixture of mischief and longing as he nods in agreement. “Count on it,” he murmurs, his voice low and filled with promise. I watch him for a moment, his tousled hair and crooked smile making my resolve waver ever so slightly.

For a moment, I just watch him, taking in the tousled hair that looks like it's seen its fair share of running hands through it, probably mine. His smile, so effortlessly crooked, seems to hold a world of stories we're yet to tell. Every part of him, from his steady gaze to the way he stands—poised yet relaxed—makes my resolve waver, my heart yearning for more time wrapped up in this bubble we've created.

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