Page 107 of Little Blue

A brow cocks, and he chuckles. “We’ll see.”

“No, no. I know my limits. Three, Ilya. I’m serious.”

His eyes shine. He’s truly happy.

It touches my heart in a way that makes me think I’ll foolishly give him ten kids if he wants them.

Thankfully, I keep my mouth closed. He watches me until my belly rumbles loudly. Then he reaches for his phone and shoots off a text. When he’s finished, he sets his phone down and gets up. He moves to the closet and disappears inside only to reappear in black sweats.

“Polina will bring us breakfast.”

“Why don’t we go downstairs?” I start to sit when he shakes his head.

“We’re not leaving this room today. I’m not done with you.”

Forty-Three

Irelynn

Ilya kisses me outside the car, both hands on my face.

“Why don’t you just come with me,” I tease, knowing he can’t. He took the entire day with me yesterday, making love, talking, letting me get to know the man I’ve fallen madly in love with.

I’ve learned that although he might be the head of the bratva, a title inherited by his father, and his father before him; Ilya owns and manages many other legal businesses in many countries. He’s a machine. I’d teased him that he surely doesn’t have time for a wife and children. He’d assured me that he would be promoting some very trusted individuals in the near future, so that he would have his hands free for family.

I’d teased him about changing diapers, and he’d kissed me tenderly before telling me he would absolutely be changing diapers, because he intends to be an involved father.

How has this become my life?

The crime boss mastering the diaper change. Ha!

“I wish I could.” Ilya touches his lips to my forehead before he pulls the back door of the SUV open. “Boris will keep you safe.”

“I can’t believe you’re trusting me to go on a shopping spree without you.”

A brow arcs. “Are you planning to run, Little Blue?”

I give him a wicked grin. “Oh, I don’t know.”

From the front seat where Boris waits, he calls, “She won’t get far, Pakhan.”

Ilya grins at me as I roll my eyes. “I might not run, but I can do damage to that card you gave me.”

Ilya chuckles, eyes dancing. “Do your worst.”

I huff. Then I lean in to throw my arms around his neck. “Do I have to go?”

“You need clothes for Christmas at my family home.”

I relent. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Good girl.”

I pout. “But I’m going to miss you.”

That happy light flashes in his eyes. “Hurry then. I’ll be waiting.”

“I will.” I slide into the back seat and grin wide at Boris as he peers in the rear-view mirror at me. He’d surprised me by volunteering to take me shopping when Ilya had asked Luka this morning over breakfast. Luka had muttered something about hating shopping when Boris had offered, and Luka had jumped at the chance to get out of it, grateful to hand over the task.

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