Page 62 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

After bracing myself for disinterest or disapproval, it was a relief. My heart softened, even if I suddenly found myself at the center of their interest.

“Congratulations to both of you,” Alex said, reaching for his glass while raising it. “I believe this calls for a toast.”

At once, everyone did the same, filling the room with a greater sense of unity and tenderness.

“To a new little one…to Val and Tia.”

A chorus of cheers and echoed sentiments surrounded us while everyone clinked their glasses together, and despite myself, my cheeks started to ache from smiling.

After the fact, Livia was the first to turn to me. “I don’t know when, but we’re going to throw you the best baby shower you’ve ever seen.”

Angel hummed her amusement. “At least you’ll be busy.”

“You don’t have to do anything crazy,” I reassured them, only able to imagine just how far they’d take it.

Despite Silvia’s generally reserved demeanor, she gave me a knowing smile. “If Livia’s involved, then it’s definitely going to be over the top.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Aria said, using a somewhat authoritative tone with them until she cracked a more pleasant expression. “But it’s definitely going to be the best.”

A soft hum of laughter filled the room, and while I had been afraid to have Val’s child, there wasn’t a trace of hesitation left in that moment.

Regardless of how I felt about their business, the obvious support system around us reassured me that our baby wouldn’t go a day without being overwhelmed with love and attention. There were more than enough people at that table already anticipating their arrival, and it helped me feel better about it all.

In the wake of the announcement, I felt Val’s gentle touch against the back of my hand under the table while the meal continued, and I didn’t miss the pride that flooded his features. He looked sincere in his contentment while he brushed his thumb against my skin, grounding me in the moment.

Before, I didn’t want to give in to Val or the life that was being laid out at my feet. I didn’t want to accept the situation I had no say in.

But in that moment, feeling the appreciation and awe in his eyes helped that resistance fade even more.

It had been easy to see how much he was looking forward to becoming a father in the last few weeks, but then and there, I had no doubt in my mind that he was prepared to do everything in his power to provide our child with the life we both wanted for them.

Those tender touches lingered while the conversation became livelier and centered around the pregnancy, from the brushes against my hand to the slow, careful trailing of his palm along my thigh.

Despite paying attention to what his family was talking about, Val kept offering me his subtle attention, seemingly expressing just how happy he was about it all.

I felt his affection through every touch, and for the first time in a while, I couldn’t help but wonder if we were on the right track.

Chapter 23 - Val

In the grand scheme of things, standing around and waiting for one of our exchanges to go down wasn’t exactly where I wanted to be. But of course, it was business, and someone needed to be there to oversee it.

Plus, it was the first time we were trading with that particular dealer, so Daniil and I were there on the outskirts of the city in preparation for their guys rolling up.

“You think these guys are going to show?” I asked, crossing my arms while we stood outside our vehicles.

Daniil huffed a breath and gazed through his sunglasses while he looked across the open space around us. “They’d better, or else we’ll be making a house call. If the product is as good as they say, then we have a lot of money riding on this one.”

“No kidding,” I murmured, well aware of how much Alex had been willing to front for the trade.

Even if we certainly had our grip on New York alongside the Levovs, and we had the resources to do whatever was necessary to get ahead, there was always a risk that accompanied partnering with someone new, hence why we didn’t do it often.

But in our world, if you didn’t keep expanding, you’d eventually be stomped out by someone else, and they’d take your place without question.

For us, there was always the chance to keep growing and to reach further beyond our expectations. It was only a matter of making the right moves and standing by those decisions.

“Eyes up,” one of our guys said, making us all straighten at the first sight of vehicles approaching the abandoned lot.

Daniil’s gaze was hard while they approached, keeping a solid grip on his gun in its holster. He looked more on edge than usual.

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