Page 73 of Forced Marriage Vows

“Honestly, Anastasia, I’m fucking terrified. No one taught me how to do this. I’m not sure if I’m equipped to raise a dog, let alone a child.”

“You won’t have to do it alone. You’ll have me and Sierra as well. And being a parent isn’t something that’s really taught, you just learn as you go. Lucia helped me realize that.”

“Lucia seems like a smart woman,” he murmurs.

I run my hand through the front of his hair. “She’s the best,” I agree. “And you’ll be the best dad.”

“I certainly can’t be worse than mine.”

“Are you going to tell him?” I ask, referring to his father. “He’ll want to know he has a grandchild.”

“Maybe. I’m not sure I’m going to make Jalen’s existence common knowledge. At least not yet. The Bratva is still unstable, after all.”

The air in the room tenses, like it always does when the subject of my father and his evasion comes up. I avoid his eyes, looking down at the hem of his shirt.

“That’s a good idea. We should keep him a secret until we’re sure it’s safe.”

“How about you,solnyshko?” Mikhail asks.

I look into his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, how do you feel about all of this? You’re my wife and now you’re essentially going to become a stepmother. Where’s your head at?”

I hadn’t really thought about my feelings. I’d been so worried about him and how he would react.

“Honestly, my head’s in a really good place. I like kids and I’m sure Jalen and I will get along just fine. Plus, I’ve been meaning to tell you. I’m not sure I want to have kids of my own. Maybe someday I’ll be ready, but not for a very long time. What do you think of that?”

“I think that sounds amazing, baby. And I’ll be ready whenever you are.”

“You’re the best,” I say, relieved, throwing my arms around him.

“I know.” His chest rumbles on a laugh. “And you know what I just thought of?”

“No. What?”

“Anthony’s reaction when I tell him about Jalen.”

I brighten at that, laughing softly. “Oh my God, I have to be there when you tell him. He’ll lose his shit.”

“Yeah, he will,” Mikhail says with a smile.

CHAPTER 22

Mikhail

I’m pacing the length of the apartment, waiting for Sierra and my son to show up. She agreed to bring him over today and Anastasia and I have done our best to prepare. My wife is leaning against the wall, watching me with an amused glint in her eyes.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you nervous before, babe. It’s cute.”

I’m too distracted to even bother with a reply.

“Relax, Mikhail. You can’t be this frazzled when he arrives. Kids respond to a person’s energy,” she says soothingly.

“What if he doesn’t like me?”

“You’re his father. He has no choice but to love you,” she says automatically.

I give her a look. “Like I keep telling you,solnyshko. That’s not how it works.”

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