Page 90 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

I clasped my hands together, my nails digging into my skin as Daniil drove on. I couldn’t help but worry about the kids and how they would manage. Lots of thoughts overlapped in my mind, mostly negative thoughts that had to do with bullies or accidents. I was a nervous wreck.

“Hey, calm down,” Daniil said, glancing at me with a reassuring smile, like he knew exactly what I was thinking. “They’ll be fine, alright? They’re in good hands.”

I nodded, trying to breathe deeply. “I know, I know. It’s just…they’re so little. And the world can be so scary.”

He laughed lightly.

“So can I,” he said. “They’re Wolkovs; nothing in the world will scare them. In fact, they will be the ones to be feared.”

Somehow, his words helped me calm down a little.

Daniil reached out and took my hand, his touch warm and comforting. “We've prepared them well, Vivian. They’re smart and brave. And we’re always here for them. Both of us.”

I squeezed his hand, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I know, and you’re right.” She sighed. “I’m just worried, Daniil. What if they don’t make friends? What if they get bullied or their teachers don’t understand them?”

“Too many what ifs,” he said with a smile. “What if they thrive?” He looked at me. “And believe me, they will.”

I stared at him, trying to tap into his confidence.

“Listen, the kids are together, and Leo…he’s brave, you know?”

“True.” I smiled.

“He’s always going to be there to protect his sister. He’s a Wolkov, after all. It’s in his blood, his genes. So, don’t worry that beautiful mind of yours,” he explained.

“You’re right,” I said. “Daniil Wolkov is their father; they’ll be fine.” I gently nodded, reassuring myself.

“And Vivian Wolkov is their mother,” he replied. “Cut yourself some slack. You’re more daring than you know.”

His words made me blush.

“Do you remember when you ran your car over that ramp in a bid to escape me?” He chuckled, still looking impressed by it.

I laughed.

“That was the scariest thing that I’ve ever done in my life,” I admitted.

“It was scary as shit,” he said. “My heart skipped at the thought of losing you when your car was airborne. But, in the end, you proved to have known what you were doing.”

“If I’m being honest, that was a reckless move, and I sincerely did not know whether or not I was going to make that jump,” I confessed.

“That’s what made it more daring, milaya,” he said.

“Quick question,” I began. “I’ve been meaning to ask what milaya means since that’s what you call me.”

He looked at me and smiled. “It means sweet one, or simply, darling.”

My lips quirked into a smirk. “And your name, ‘Daniil,’ what does it mean?”

“God is my judge,” he replied.

“That’s ironic, given you’re the judge punishing those who dare to defy you,” I said, chuckling.

We laughed, and I watched him pull over outside a fancy restaurant.

“This is the best restaurant in the city, and for a long time now, I’ve wanted to bring you here to have lunch with me…like a normal couple,” he said, looking into my eyes.

I’d never been here before, but I’d heard of the restaurant’s reputation for glamor and style. I’d always wanted to come here, though I’d never really told him about it. Daniil must have read my mind because, once again, he’d done something that I wanted despite my silence on the matter.

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