Page 63 of The Bratva's Secret Twins

I exhaled sharply. This was actually a huge opportunity for me, and I wasn’t sure that I was ready. Addressing a couple of newbies was one thing, but sitting in a room with the big players of the industry was an entirely different thing—it was an honor, one that I couldn’t…I wouldn’t mess up.

“I’m on it, Boss. I'll ensure everything goes smoothly,” I replied, making my words as confident as I could muster.

“I know you will. That’s why I reached out,” he said. “I’ll send over the details and materials in a bit.”

“Alright, Boss.”

“One more thing,” he began. “I need you to maintain your confidence, okay? You’re a young woman, and these men might not take you seriously, especially Mr. Petrov, the businessman that’s heading the deal. He’s not really known for his support for women in this line of work. So, you have to be careful around him, but don’t lose your confidence,” he advised.

“Understood.”

I’d dealt with men like Mr. Petrov before; therefore, I knew just how to handle such situations.

“Hey, Keith?” he added quickly.

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” he sighed, his voice filled with gratitude. “I owe you one. And I know you’ll do great tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Boss.”

“You have a good one.”

He ended the call.

No one had believed I was going to be Mr. Rodriguez’s favorite employee, and in this short time, we’d been a great team. I’d grown to enjoy working with him and vice versa. Of everyone in that office, I was the one who knew about his personal life: his wife and kids. He’d learned to loosen up around me, and even though he was naturally harsh, he wasn’t like that with me.

“This is going to be a long night,” I muttered to myself as I picked my bag up from the front passenger seat.

As I opened the door and stepped out of the car, heading into the house, my phone chimed in my hand, and I glanced at my lit screen. It was a text from Tyler. He’d sent me a funny sticker that made me laugh lightly as I replied with one of mine.

Tyler had been such a great friend, and I couldn’t have asked for a better bestie, even when we weren’t in the same country.

I hit the side button of my phone, and the screen locked while I opened the door.

As I stepped into the house, Alba turned to face me. She was sitting on the couch, her long, curly brown hair tied back in a ponytail, and her bright smile was a welcoming sight. Alba’s warm, hazel eyes sparkled as she glanced up from her book, a hint of a tan on her cheeks from spending time outdoors with the kids.

“Hi, Ms. Keith,” she greeted.

“Are they asleep?” I asked, returning her smile.

Alba shook her head, her silver hoop earrings glinting in the light, “No, they’re watching TV in the lounge.”

“Of course, they are,” I replied softly, dropping my bag and keys on the table.

I rolled my neck in a massaging motion as I made my way to the lounge. This was usually the best time of my day after work: coming home to these little cuties, Sophie and Leo.

They were the only good thing that had come from Daniil. They were my source of joy and happiness and the reason why I busted my ass, working hard and smart.

Sophie and Leo were twins, a little over the age of three, but these tiny tots were a real case.

I entered the lounge with a smile on my face as I saw them sitting on the floor, surrounded by toys while cartoons played in the background.

They spotted me instantly, and with a squeal of delight, they dropped their toys and ran toward me with open arms.

“Mama! Mama!” they chorused, wrapping their arms around my legs.

With a joyous heart, I scooped them up, each in one hand, and showered them with kisses.

---