Page 1 of Secret Baby and the Bratva

One

Margot

Thenursesanddoctorshave left the room. This moment is my first official experience as a single parent, with no one here to help. Am I a fool to wait another month to tell his father? I trace my finger over Maverik’s cheek.

His dark gray eyes blink open and remind me that he belongs to the dangerous world of the Russian mafia. Yep, I made the right decision. There’s no telling how the three potential fathers will react. I want to be solidly as comfortable as possible with the sleep-deprived state I’ve been told will become my new norm before I deal with paternity.

Hiding for nine months may have been a little selfish but I was truly worried when I found out I was pregnant with a mafia heir. Thankfully my two best friends, Harper and Sadie, have insider information and this particular mafia is cleaning up its act.

Is that a smile? Worries instantly vanish. It doesn’t matter if all of the parenting books are in agreement that newborns don’t smile as a show of happiness. Whatever caused it gave me hope that I’m doing the right thing. I will keep Maverik safe and happy.

He grunts and squirms against the tight swaddle as I snuggle him a little closer and lift him to plant a kiss on his forehead. Then he poops. Great.

Using the supplies the nurses left in my room, I take care of the first diaper change. This is a responsibility I wouldn’t mind sharing.

Being a mom with a baby in my arms is so much scarier than this morning when he was still in my belly. When I didn’t know he was a boy—the first one of his generation. My friends have kept me posted about the weight the Pakhan of the Lazovski Bratva put on the first male heir.

On Maverik.

“I’ll protect you, little one.”

I shift the tiny bundle to one arm then reach for my phone with the other. I guess I’ll have to get used to one-handed messaging. I tap out a brief email to my professor, letting him know I’ll miss finals. Thankfully, we discussed the possibility of my schedule being disrupted.

Returning my phone to the rolling table beside my bed, I turn my attention back to the only thing that matters right now—Maverik, my six-pound three-ounce bundle of joy—and so many other emotions.

I tug his knit cap down to cover his ears, grateful that the biggest immediate threat is the chilly air. If only we could exist in this protected bubble forever.

Is it possible to stare at another human being for the rest of eternity? I feel like I could, and I’m certain I’ll spend the entire rest of my life watching him grow, but the older he gets—

Knock, knock, knock.

The nurse enters and extends a paper. “You’ll need to fill this out for the birth certificate.”

A shudder stops my hand in midair. The birth certificate. Inevitable, but I wasn’t ready for the bubble to burst. I extend my hand the rest of the way to take the paper. She gives me a sympathetic look as she sets a pen within my reach on the rolling table.

“Anytime before you’re discharged is fine.”

I glance at the form, giving extra attention to the box labeled ‘Father’s Name’. Without shifting my eyes from it, I ask the honest question, “What if I don’t know who the father is?”

The nurse knew I wasn’t expecting him to show up, not just because the delivery was so fast, but this last gem is new to her. I don’t elaborate because even the most sex-positive person would choke on my story.

She moves a step closer and sets her hand on the rail of the bed. She’s young, only a few years older than me, and gives a non-judgmental smile.

“It’s okay. Leave it blank.”

I angle my head up at her. “Thank you.”

She doesn’t ask questions, and I’m not sure she’d believe I lost my virginity to three brothers and got pregnant on Virgin Night at the Aubergine Affair sex club despite being on birth control, anyway.

In a month or two, when I’ve finished my IT Security degree, secure a better-paying job than a transcriptionist, and get used to being a mom, I plan on letting the guys know. We can settle paternity then.

I tap a finger on Maverik’s nose. “I hope you’re a good sleeper. Typing will be a lot easier with both hands.”

The good news is that I can work from home and take care of this little one. The scarier situation will be how Yulian, Feliks, and Maxim react when they find out they have an heir for their legacy.

My friends Margot and Sadie are in relationships with my baby daddy’s bratva cousins, which is how I found out they needed a son. My friends were also how I found out the guys I hooked up with are the violent part of the Bratva.

My goal at Virgin Night hadn’t been to find a relationship. I’d been ecstatic that it was supposed to be a night with no strings attached. But when I found out who they were I had all the more reason to keep my distance.

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