Page 159 of For a Price

But it was a new season. It was over time that he came out of his room. That he started showing some interest in things like riding his bike.

Neither of us have experience raising a child. We’ve taken it by the day, learning together, becoming a family of our own.

I’ve even started bonding with Lucero. He’s curious about the bratva, though we keep him away from the specifics. He seems to understand the criminal world to some degree, likely a product of the environment he was born into.

Someday, when he gets older, I’ll tell him more. Maybe I’ll take him under my wing.

Kat rests her head on my chest and sighs. “I didn’t think it could ever be like this.”

“Me neither. But it is.”

“How did the meeting go with Mancino?”

“Well. We are on the same page.”

“That’s good. No more wars, okay? At least not for a little while.” She tips her head back to aim a pretty smile up at me.

I squeeze her closer, my arm still swathed over her hip. “Wait ’til you come to Russia with me. If you think that was a war, you have no idea what real fighting in the bratva is like.”

“You better be kidding!”

“Ya shuchu?*, remember?”

“Mudak?*!”

I bark out a laugh. “I should’ve never taught you that word.”

“Little do you know, I’ve been having your staff teach me more.”

“Good. Then you really will be prepared for Russia.” I laugh some more as her eyes widen and she goes still in my hold. I drop a kiss on top of her curly head and say, “Kitty cat, you know I would never bring you to a place that was dangerous. You will come with me to visit Russia eventually, but you will be kept safe at all times.”

“I’ve never been out of the country before.”

“Then it’ll be one of many places we go. Lucero too.”

That evening we settle down for a dinner prepared by my private chefs. They often make us authentic Russian meals, but I’ve made sure they incorporate foods that Katerina and Lucero are used to as well.

At the table, Lucero talks our ears off about what he’s learned from the tutor we have him seeing. It’s what’s best for now instead of attending public school.

Katerina and I listen in amusement until he grows bored and then asks if he can play video games in his room.

“An hour and a half tops,” Katerina scolds. “Then you have to start getting ready for bed. I’ll be up to check.”

He almost rolls his eyes before catching himself and then nodding. “Okay, okay.”

I wait until he’s gone and it’s just the two of us seated at the long table.

“You are becoming a mom, devochka,” I tease. “You’ve even taken on the tone.”

Her jaw drops open. “I have not!”

“You saw him. He almost rolled his eyes. That’s what sons do when their mothers nag them.”

“And what about you?” she asks accusatorially. “I heard you telling him he can have an extra slice of honey cake when you thought I wasn’t listening.”

“He’s a growing boy. He needs to be big and strong like…”

She arches a brow. “Like who? His surrogate father? You?”

---