Page 28 of The Bratva's Nanny

“Because I wanted to.” It had to be one of the most reckless things he had ever done. There was no deep or meaningful reason. He wanted to knock up Alix. He wanted to make her his.

Silence fell between them and as it did, the alarm on his cell phone went off, alerting him that the test was ready for them to see the results.

In all his life, he had never wanted anything. Never prayed for a toy or wished for his father’s support. He had gone through life expecting everything that was thrown at him without questioning a single part of it.

Until now.

Dmitry wasn’t used to wanting. One look and one interaction with Alix had made him want her. It was the first time in his life that he wanted something he couldn’t have. Now that he had her, he prayed to keep her. He loved her smile, enjoyed spending time with her, even if they were silent in each other’s company. It wasn’t awkward.

Alix made him fucking feel, which he knew was a bad thing.

Before Alix, he stepped up to the bathroom and checked the results on the test. He confirmed with the box, and then he couldn’t help but smile.

Turning toward Alix, she looked at his face, then at the box. “What does it say?”

“You’re pregnant, Alix. We’re pregnant.”

He dropped the test into the sink and then pulled her into his arms, taking possession of her lips. “It means we’re going to have a baby.”

Alix wrapped her arms around him and he carried her back toward the bedroom, dropping her down on the bed. What it meant to him was he didn’t have to ever let her go. He would find a way to keep her by his side for fucking ever.

All his life he had sacrificed everything. He had given everything he was to his father, to the Bratva. This time, he was going to take his little slice of heaven as his own.

He moved toward Alix’s side and then ran his hand down her body, pressing his palm against her stomach. As he did this, he realized this could also work to draw out his enemies. Alix was not part of the Bratva. Taking her as his wife would cause some upset and there would be a challenge, but if she gave him a son, then people would back off. He didn’t give a shit if it was a son or a daughter. Even if she gave birth to another girl, he wouldn’t get rid of Alix.

For the first time in his life, he felt fucking happy and no one was taking that from him. But, announcing his marriage to Alix, and their upcoming child, would potentially show a weakness. While he was weak, those that felt they could overthrow him would attack. He’d deal with George and Angeloff.

“Alix,” he said, staring into her brown eyes. He couldn’t quite read what she was thinking and he took hold of her hand, locking their fingers together.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Marry me,” he said.

He had only said those words once before and he thought of his first wife. He often made the effort to not think about her. There had been no love between them. When it came to his first wife, all he felt was hatred. She had been so disloyal and such a disappointment. The only reason he cared was because of Sofia.

People would whisper about her mother, point at her, and maybe even consider her a traitor as well. He wouldn’t allow that to happen, but rumors always ran rife through their circles. They would instantly pin the crimes of her mother on her. Everyone was always looking for someone to blame, regardless of the situation.

“You can’t be serious,” said Alix.

“Not the answer I was expecting.”

Alix put her hand to her mouth and once again he saw the tears in her eyes. “You’re proposing to me.”

“You’re expecting my child.” He’d not gone around fathering a bunch of bastard children. All he had was Sofia, and now he had Alix, and their child. He wanted to do everything in his power to bind her to him, and if that also meant drawing Angeloff out of the woodwork, then that was exactly what he was going to do.

“But … you … this … are you sure?”

“Yes.”

There was no hesitation and it wasn’t just for the plotting he was currently doing. No, this was because of Alix. He needed her. Craved her. She had to stay by his side, no matter what.

Reaching out, he pushed some curls off her face. “I can take care of you, Alix. I want you to be with me. Not just as the nanny to my child, but to the mother of ours. I know Sofia adores you.”

“I’ll never be able to replace her mother,” Alix said.

“Why not?” he asked, seeing the surprise in her eyes as they widened just a little more. “It’s not like her mother was ever good at the job. She ignored Sofia. She wouldn’t feed her, cuddle her, or spend time with her. I did all of that.” He’d never told a soul, not even his own father, what his first wife had been like. She’d hated Sofia from the moment she came out of the womb. Time didn’t heal anything. Dmitry had done the hard work. While his wife had hated their child, he’d loved Sofia the moment he saw her. He’d known there would be disappointment because she was a girl, but he’d loved her instantly.

“Yes,” Alix said. “I will marry you.”

---