Page 85 of The Bratva King's Claimed Bride

I climb in after her. Yvonne and Matvey are in the car behind us.

She balances Peter on her lap and coos at him as we pull out of the driveway.

I watch them fondly. “He’s getting so big. Soon, he’ll be walking and speaking.”

“Don’t wish time away,” she scolds me. “I want him to stay this little forever.”

“He can’t,” I chuckle. “He has to grow up.”

She kisses his head and tucks him in her arms. “Not for now, he doesn’t.”

I lean over and kiss her head. “You silly dreamer.”

We settle into a comfortable silence, and I watch Peter fall asleep in Arina’s arms. By the time we’re at Mama Milov’s house, he’s out cold.

I help Arina out of the car, and Mama Milov stands at the front door when we reach it. “Oh, he’s asleep. Why don’t you take him to my bedroom and put him in the camper cot there.”

“Thank you, Mama,” Arina says before leaving my side.

“Hello, Igor,” Mama Milov says, touching my face in shaky hands and kissing my cheek. “You are getting taller every time I see you.”

I smile and kiss her cheek back. “Thank you for taking care of Peter tonight.”

“Of course, he’s my grandson.” She waves me in. I go to the living room, where Kervyn and Danil are talking.

Kervyn sees me and waves me over. “Oh, Igor, good you’re here. Come settle something for me.”

I smile and walk over. “Yes?”

How things have changed in such a short time. I would never have thought it possible that Kervyn would want my counsel on something, let alone my friendship.

“Danil says there’s an uptick in blood diamonds. Do you know if that’s true?”

“No, in fact, they’re not as popular as they used to be. They’re getting hard to sell now,” I turn to Danil. “If that stupid Karl is the one you’re getting your information from, don’t trust him. He only trades in blood diamonds and always makes out like they’re on the rise.”

Danil nods. “It was Karl, fucking asshole.”

“Watch your language,” Asher says as she comes to stand by her husband.

“Where are the girls?” he asks, looking over her head.

“With the nannies, they’ve finally arrived.” Asher smiles and squeezes his arm. “Don’t stress so much.”

Soon enough, Luka, Hannah, and the twins Arseny, Elena, and Tiana arrive. The kids are ushered to the nannies, and Penny joins all of us in the living room. Thankfully, Mama Milov has a huge house. I’m just wondering where Arina is when she appears next to me.

“Sorry, I was cuddling Peter.” She grins. “I can’t help myself.”

“Well, he is adorable,” Penny points out with a smile. “We’re lucky; we have such beautiful babies from the Milovs.”

Kervyn smiles and kisses her softly. “Maybe we should have some more.”

I raise an eyebrow, and as I’m about to say something, Mama Milov calls, “Dinner is ready.”

We all take our seats at the table, Kervyn and I at either end, with the family between us.

We start eating dinner, and the conversation turns to summer plans. Kervyn wants to go away, but Penny wants the whole family to go, not just the four of them.

“I’d love to say we could go, but I have special guests coming from Russia during the summer, my younger brother and sister. I’ll be entertaining them for the summer.” I smile at Arina. “They’re tough, so I may have to protect Arina.”

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