Page 24 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

“Because you want something,” I say, grabbing the roots of my hair and tugging them.

His voice is calm, much more than mine is. “That’s what this is about, darling. We both want something from each other, and the marriage is simply to ensure we both get what we need. Or have you forgot that already?”

I grit my teeth at his response, but he’s right. We agreed not to have feelings, and the first thing I did when he left was start daydreaming about our future together.

Silence settles over us, and I let out a sigh. “Okay, so what is it that you want?”

He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "The Governor's wife is hosting her annual birthday bash next week. I need to attend."

"And you need me because...?" I prompt, even though I have a sinking feeling I already know the answer.

"Because you always get an invite," Luka says, confirming my suspicions. "And because the good Governor owes me a substantial sum of money. I intend to collect."

I stare at him, incredulous. "What are you, a loan shark?"

Luka's laugh is dark and without humor. "Not quite. I murdered his opponent so he could become Governor. He seems to have forgotten that little favor lately. It’s time he had a reminder.”

The casual way he admits to murder sends a chill down my spine. It's easy to forget, sometimes, just how dangerous Luka really is. How different our worlds are.

"That's..." I struggle to find the words, disgust and a reluctant sort of admiration warring within me. "That's horrible. And illegal. And... God, Luka, do you have any idea how corrupt that is?"

He shrugs, seemingly unbothered by my reaction. "It's business, Natalia. Nothing personal. And if the corruption of Moscow is new to you… well, I regret to inform you that it’s part of the fabric of our society.”

“Your society. Not mine.” I shake my head, pacing the length of my living room. "I can't believe you're asking me to help you with this. It's wrong on so many levels."

"Says the woman who married me to protect her family," Luka counters, his voice maddeningly calm. "We all do what we must to survive in this world, kitten. At least I'm honest about it."

His words hit home, and I stop pacing to look at him. He's right, in a way. I made my choice when I agreed to this arrangement. Can I really judge him for playing by the rules of his world? A world I willingly stepped into, knowing what I was getting in the end?

"Fine," I say after a long moment. "I'll take you to the party. But only because I hate cheaters and liars even more than I hate corruption. At least you're upfront about your misdeeds."

Luka's answering smile is predatory, sending a shiver of equal parts fear and excitement down my spine. "I knew I could count on you, wife."

He stands, adjusting his suit jacket. As he moves towards the door, I'm struck by a sudden, irrational fear that if I let him walk out now, I might never see him again. The thought makes my chest ache in a way I'm not prepared to examine too closely.

"Luka, wait," I call out, surprising myself.

He pauses, turning back to me with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"

I open my mouth, then close it again. The truth is there, on the tip of my tongue.I'm pregnant. We're going to have a baby.But the words won't come. Instead, I hear myself asking, "Will you... will you stay for dinner?"

Surprise flashes across Luka's face, quickly replaced by something softer, almost vulnerable. "I'd like that," he says quietly.

As I move to the kitchen to start preparing a meal, my mind races. I should tell him about the baby. He has a right to know. But the memory of his words from our honeymoon echoes in my ears: "My world isn't safe for real relationships. For families."

Would he even want this child? Would he resent me for trapping him in the very situation he swore to avoid? And what kind of life could we offer a baby, with Luka's dangerous lifestyle and my own career ambitions? I swore that I wouldn’t be like my mother, that I wouldn’t give up my career for a family. But the truth is, I don’t know how to do both.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't hear Luka approach until his arms wrap around my waist from behind. I stiffen for a moment before relaxing into his embrace, hating how right it feels, grateful that my stomach is still flat.

"What's really going on, Natalia?" he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear. "You're not yourself today. I know I haven’t known you for long, but even I can tell that much.”

I close my eyes, leaning back against his solid chest. It would be so easy to turn in his arms, to bury my face in the crook of his neck and confess everything. To let him take control, to shoulder this burden with me.

But I can't. Not yet. Not until I figure out what I want, what's best for this unexpected life growing inside me.

"It's nothing," I lie, forcing a smile as I turn to face him. "I'm just glad you're here."

Luka studies me for a long moment, his piercing gaze seeming to see right through me. It travels through my flesh and bones, entering my core where my nervous soul rests. Then, slowly, he leans down and kisses me.

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