Page 34 of Accidental Bratva Daddy

I pause in the doorway, taking in the scene before me. The room has been transformed in the past two weeks, going from a bland guest room to a warm, inviting space filled with all the essentials for our coming children. A beautiful crib stands against one wall, flanked by matching dressers. Shelves line another wall, already filled with books and stuffed animals. In the center of it all is Natalia, perched on a rocking chair with a sketchpad in her lap.

She's so engrossed in her work that she doesn't notice me at first. I take the opportunity to study her, drinking in every detail. Her brow is furrowed in concentration, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she focuses on her sketch. The late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window catches in her auburn hair, setting it ablaze with golden highlights.

She's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

As if sensing my presence, Natalia looks up. Her face breaks into a radiant smile that never fails to take my breath away. "Luka!" she exclaims, setting aside her sketchpad and rising to greet me. "Come look at what I've been working on!"

I cross the room to her, unable to resist pulling her into my arms for a quick kiss. She melts against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine. When we part, her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are bright with excitement.

"Look," she says, retrieving her sketchpad and holding it up for me to see. "I've been designing some outfits for the twins. What do you think?"

I examine the sketches, impressed as always by Natalia's talent. The designs are beautiful—tiny dresses and suits that somehow manage to be both whimsical and elegant. "They're perfect," I tell her honestly. "Our children will be the best-dressed in all of Moscow."

Natalia beams at the praise, but then her smile falters slightly. A shadow passes over her face, and I tense instinctively, sensing the shift in her mood.

"What is it?" I ask, cupping her cheek gently. "What's wrong?"

She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly. "It's nothing, really," she says with a small shake of her head. "I just... I'm worried about how my family will react to all of this. The marriage, the babies... it's all happening so fast."

I swallow hard, guilt gnawing at my insides. If only she knew the full truth, how much danger her family is really in. "They'll come around," I say, trying to inject confidence into my voice. "How could they not love these little ones?"

Natalia's hand drifts to her stomach, still flat but carrying our precious cargo. "I wish Uncle Viktor were here," she says softly. "He'd be so happy about the twins. He always said I'd make a wonderful mother someday."

The mention of Viktor's name is like a bucket of ice water down my spine. I struggle to keep my expression neutral as I carefully ask, "Do you know where Viktor is now? Have you spoken to him recently?"

Natalia shakes her head. "Not directly, but Alina mentioned he's in the U.S. on business. Something about expanding the coffee company, I think."

I nod, my mind racing. This could be the opening I need, a way to gather more information without arousing suspicion. "You should reach out to him," I suggest, hating myself even as the words leave my mouth. "Invite him over when he returns to Moscow. I'm sure he'd love to hear about the twins from you directly."

Natalia's face lights up at the idea, and I feel like the lowest form of scum. I'm using her love for her uncle, her excitement about our children, as bait in a trap. But if she understood what Viktor was really capable of, what he's done... maybe she'd see things differently.

"Do you really think so?" she asks, hope shining in her eyes. "You wouldn't mind?"

I force a smile, pushing down the guilt threatening to choke me. "Of course not. He's your family, and family is important."

Natalia throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Luka," she murmurs against my chest. "You don't know how much this means to me."

As I hold her close, breathing in the sweet floral scent of her hair, the possibility that I'm making a terrible mistake creeps into my mind like a winter frost. But what choice do I have? Viktor is a threat that needs to be eliminated, for Natalia's safety as much as my own. And if using the twins as bait is what it takes to draw him out... well, I've done far worse things in the name of protecting what's mine.

"Why don't you call him now?" I suggest, pulling back slightly to look at Natalia. "I'm sure he'd love to hear your voice."

Natalia nods eagerly, already reaching for her phone. As she dials, I step back, giving her some privacy for the conversation. But I remain in the doorway, watching as she paces the nursery, one hand resting protectively on her stomach as she talks animatedly to her uncle.

The sight of her, so happy and unaware of the danger lurking just beyond these walls, makes something twist painfully in my chest. I've spent my entire life in a world of violence and betrayal, never allowing myself to form attachments or trust anyone completely. But Natalia... she's changed everything.

For the first time in years, I have something—someone—worth fighting for. Worth dying for, if necessary. And I'll be damned if I let Viktor or anyone else threaten that.

As Natalia ends the call, turning to me with a beaming smile, I make a silent vow. I will protect her and our children, no matter the cost. Even if it means becoming the monster I've always tried to keep hidden from her.

Because in the end, that's what love is, isn't it? Sacrifice. Protection. Doing whatever it takes to keep your family safe.

And Natalia Volkova is my family now. God help anyone who tries to come between us.

17

Natalia

The gentle whirr of the ultrasound machine fills Dr. Petrov's examination room as he moves the wand across my still-flat stomach. Luka stands beside me, his large hand enveloping mine, thumb stroking reassuringly across my knuckles. The screen shows grainy black-and-white images that I'm still learning to decipher, but I can make out two distinct shapes now. Our babies are growing stronger every day.

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