Page 256 of Gilded Cage (Kovalyov Bratva 1)

As a construction worker.

Each one is as laughable as the next.

That blossom of hope in my chest starts to wilt. The honest truth is that I can’t see him in any of those roles.

I can’t picture him doing anything other than leading the Bratva.

But I refuse to let that completely derail the future I’ve envisioned for our family.

“It’s hard now, I know,” I tell him. I’m trying so hard to keep the edge of desperation out of my voice. “But that’s just because we’ve never entertained the possibility of a normal life before now. You yourself said that you didn’t think you’d enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains as much as you have. Right?”

“Right,” I nods. “But that’s also because I know this stint up here is temporary.”

“Artem,” I say, putting my hand against his cheek, “I don’t want to have to worry about my child every second of every day. I want more for this baby than my childhood. More than yours.”

“I have responsibilities, Esme,” he says. “I can’t just disappear. I have men that follow me. Cillian has given up everything for me. I can’t abandon all of them.”

“I’m not asking you to,” I say quickly. “But give them new marching orders. Tell them to… to…”

“To what, Esme?” he asks. “They’re not exactly the kind of men who can find a job in construction and be happy with that.”

I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I push them back and sit up, pulling the sheets around my chest.

“Esme,” Artem murmurs, his hand on my back.

“I’m fine,” I say, but I can’t stop my voice from shaking just a little.

I get out of bed as fast as I can and head to the bathroom where I attempt to pull myself together.

It was foolish of me to think that Artem would be as happy as I am to give up the old life, but the disappointment still chokes me with tears.

I cry silently in the bathroom for a few minutes. For a future that slipped through my fingers before I ever had a chance to seize it.

Then I splash cold water on my face and get dressed.

When I come back outside, Artem is waiting for me in the kitchen.

I give him a small smile and move to the cabinets. “What would you like for breakfast?” I ask, trying to gloss over our earlier conversation.

He comes up from behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I feel his lips against the back of my head and I sigh and lean back into him.

“I’m sorry,” he says quietly.

“Don’t be,” I say, shaking my head. “It was probably naïve of me to think that—”

“It’s possible, Esme,” he says, cutting me off.

“What?” I ask, going still.

“I can’t make any promises,” he says softly, in my ear. “And if we do it, it might take some time…”

I turn in his arms so I can see his face. “I know.”

“But it’s a possibility that I’m willing to think about,” he finishes.

I can’t stop the joy from showing on my face.

I see the smile in his eyes as he looks down at me. “Just you and me, right?” he asks.

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