Page 13 of Savage Boss

“Da, she fell asleep on our way over from the airport, so Laney is putting her to bed.”

Vlad realized Boris must’ve gotten his jet ready within minutes of hearing about Jane’s collapse.

“You didn’t have to come all this way,” Vlad said gruffly. “A call would have sufficed.”

Boris looked at him steadily. “No, it would not.”

Vlad understood. If something similar had happened to Boris or Laney, Vlad wouldn’t have hesitated. He would have made his way to his brother’s side in the shortest amount of time possible.

“I am very glad to see you, moya brat,” Vlad told him seriously.

“As am I,” Boris assured him.

Jane burst into tears and covered her face with her hands. “I love you guys so much,” she wailed.

Vlad chuckled and reached for her once more. He loved that she was more emotional than usual, leaving her heart on her sleeve for all to see.

Chapter Seven

Jane was allowed to go home late the next day with strict instructions to rest. She had been diagnosed with hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. The doctor suggested it was likely due to stress. The obstetrician assured them the baby was doing well but advised Jane try to put on a little more weight. She had only gained eleven pounds since the beginning of her pregnancy.

“I just don’t gain weight easily,” she complained as Vlad set a tray piled with food next to their bed.

As soon as they’d arrived at home, Vlad had carried Jane upstairs, then relayed the doctor’s instructions to his staff. Their housekeeper, Elyse, immediately rushed to the kitchen to gather food, sniffling about ‘poor Jane and her munchkin’ as she bustled away.

“You will eat, malysh,” Vlad said mildly, handing her a bowl of sliced bananas and strawberries. “Everything on the tray.”

She took it from him and ate hungrily while arguing that she didn’t need more food. “Seriously, I eat like a horse and I’ve never gained an ounce. Have you seen my boobs?” she demanded, reaching down to pull the collar of her shirt out so she could look at her own breasts. Her bowl of fruit tilted precariously toward the bedspread, forcing Vlad to reach out and steady her hand.

“Pathetic,” she sighed unhappily, letting her shirt fall back into place. “I thought pregnancy was supposed to make them bigger. When is that supposed to happen?”

Vlad chuckled. “Your breasts are ochen' krasivo.”

“What does that mean?” she demanded, pulling her fruit away from him and shoving another strawberry into her mouth.

“I said that your breasts are very beautiful,” he assured her. “You must believe me, malysh, as that is my favourite part of a woman’s anatomy and yours are the most spectacular I have ever seen. I look forward to seeing them naked every day of my life.”

She blushed and ducked her head. It amused him that such a brash woman could still blush so easily. Though his wife could be trying at times, he appreciated that she was always genuine and honest in her responses.

“I hope you know being a boob man is very cliche,” she said quietly.

He shrugged. “Since meeting you, I have also become a butt man.”

“Still cliche, Vlad.”

He bent over and kissed her ear. “Also an ear man, a lips man, a knees man,” he tapped her foot. “And a toes man.”

Jane laughed and wiggled her toes. She let out a sigh, sank back into the mess of pillows Vlad had provided for her and set her bowl in her lap. “I get tired easily,” she admitted, her anxious gaze on Vlad.

“The doctor assured us the exhaustion is normal,” he told her, though he was also anxious. As much as he loved seeing Jane pregnant, the constant anxiety over something going wrong was giving him more grey hairs and possibly an ulcer.

“I can’t wait to get out of this bed,” Jane grumbled. “I have too much to do to just sit still all day long.”

“Best to settle in, my love,” Vlad said sternly, crossing his arms over his chest. “It will be a long few months.”

“Months!” Jane exclaimed. “No, not happening. I’ll be out of here in a few days.”

Vlad closed his eyes and called on a whole lot of patience he didn’t have. “You must remain in that bed, Jane. Except for short walks around the house for exercise, you are to be on bed rest until the baby comes.”

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