Page 227 of Gilded Cage (Kovalyov Bratva 1)

Am I repeating the same mistake here? Hadn’t I just promised Esme the same thing I promised Marisha?

Why would this time be different?

I walk into the cabin just as Esme sets our plates down on the table. I join her, but I’ve completely lost my appetite.

“We need more milk,” she says as she drains her glass. “And eggs. And bread. And, um… everything else.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Hey, I’m pregnant,” she reminds me again.

“I know, I know,” I say, lifting my hands up in surrender. “And it’s my fault.”

“Right.” Esme nods, satisfied. “So you need to keep me fed and happy.”

“Aye-aye, captain,” I say, giving her a mock salute. “Do you wanna join me today?”

She thinks about it for a second. “I think I’d rather just stay in the cabin,” she decides. “But if you happen to pass by a book store—”

“I’ll see what they have.”

“Thanks,” she says, with a contented smile. Then her eyes glance down to my plate. “You’re not eating,” she points out.

I pick up my fork cut out a piece of my omelet, but that doesn’t seem to appease her.

“What’s on your mind?” she asks.

“What makes you think there’s something on my mind?”

“That look on your face.”

I smile. “I didn’t realize I was easy to read.”

“You’re not,” she replies. “But we’ve spent a lot of time together lately and I’ve starting picking up on some of your tells.”

“Hmm… that’s dangerous.”

She laughs. “You’re worried?”

“A little.”

“About the Bratva?”

I hesitate. I’ve never been open with my feelings. It was something that used to drive Marisha crazy. She’d ask me what was on my mind all the time, and every time I would reply with the same set of answers.

Nothing.

I’m fine.

Nothing’s wrong.

It’s just Bratva business.

I look up at Esme, at her beautiful, empathetic hazel eyes, and I decide to be better than I was then.

“Yes,” I admit. “I am worried about the Bratva. But I’m also worried about you and the baby.”

Her eyes go soft. She gets up from her seat and walks around the table to me. She sits on my lap and puts her hands around my shoulders.

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