Page 76 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Oh?” I ask, feeling a nebulous sense of pride.

“She was strong and proud. Even when her siblings ignored her, she kept her chin up.”

“They ignored her?” My hands clench into fists.

“Her sister wouldn’t even look at her for most of it,” he says. “The brother was dazed. He barely paid attention to anyone, to be fair. Showed up late, too. Didn’t even shave. Poor fuck.”

“No need to feel sorry for the asshole. He asked for this shit.” I rub away the headache tightening at my temples.

“You look like shit,sobrat,” Demyan remarks.

“Thanks. You look the same as you always do.”

“Fountain of youth, baby,” he says, patting himself on the chest.

I lean back in my chair. “I haven’t asked how you are in a while.”

“Yeah, well, you can be amazingly self-involved most of the time.”

I roll my eyes. “I won’t ask twice.”

“I wasn’t aware that you asked once.”

“That was me asking.”

He sighs. The ever-present nonchalance on his face wavers and his shoulders droop. “The move is happening,” he admits quietly. “Miranda isn’t staying here.”

“You can ask for joint custody.”

“I can, but I’m not gonna.”

I frown. “Why? You love that kid.”

“Exactly, which is why I’m gonna do what’s best for her. She needs her mother. She belongs with Miranda. I’m just gonna have to get down there as often as possible so I can see her.”

“That sucks, but… it sounds like the right decision.”

He raises his brows. “I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Well, I get it now.”

“Now that you’re gonna be a father?” Demyan asks. “It consumes your entire life. I’d have told you not to touch it, but I suppose it’s too late for that.”

I nod. “It’s not the way I imagined it would happen.”

“But you don’t regret it, do you?”

I don’t even need to think about that. “Not even for a second.”

“Didn’t think so. It’s weird, isn’t it?” Demyan asks. “How you can love someone you’ve never even met.”

“Still doesn’t feel real, to be honest.”

“Wait until her belly pops. It’ll sure as hell be real then.”

I nod. “I’m going to go see how she’s doing,” I say, rising to my feet.

“Of course,” Demyan says with a nod of understanding. “Go take care of your woman.”

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