Page 11 of Secret Baby and the Bratva

I’ll have to go home and jerk off. I can do that.

Then I watch her kiss my brothers. My heart is as full as my balls. We’re onto something good.

Eight

Maxim

Wesettleonarestaurant with outdoor seating for our date. The fresh air is good for our son. Seeing Margot smile in public does things to me I didn’t understand could be done to my cold heart.

My purpose in life has been protecting the world by ending lives. That’s how I brought happiness. For the first time, I realize I’ve brought happiness into the world by creating and nurturing a life.

As usual, Margot had a rule regarding our date—no public displays of affection. But sitting beside her, lost in the floral scent of her perfume, I wonder if she realizes what the scent of roses does to me now.

My dick has a Pavlovian response after that first night with her. I can’t walk past a rosebush without my dick twitching. She put the perfume on for our date.

I reach under the table and take her hand. The tablecloth keeps anyone from seeing my public display. Our joined hands rest on her thigh. My pinky and ring fingers dip to her inner thigh, and I caress gently.

I never knew I could want a woman this badly. Not just sex, or making love, or a relationship, but the all-consuming need to protect her and provide for her. She squeezes my hand and angles her head up at me with a smile. I wink, and it makes her smile even wider.

“I love you, Margot.”

Her eyes widen.

Shit, I must have said it out loud. I shrug my shoulders. I was bound to say it at some point. “It’s okay if you’re not ready. It’s true. I love you, which is why I promise to always take care of you.”

Felix and Yulian are huddled over Maverik. I cherish the moment that gives me with Margot.

She squeezes my hand again. “Thank you for your patience. It’s helping me feel comfortable about moving our relationship forward.”

Forward? As in—

Feliks pipes up. “Well, Maxim, I believe it’s your turn to change the nappy.”

I don’t want to let go of Margot. I don’t want to kill the moment, but it is my turn and I will fulfill my responsibility. I carry the little guy to the bathroom, diaper bag hoisted over my shoulder, and do my deed. It’s not even disgusting anymore, which is weird.

Exiting the bathroom, in the corridor, a Russian accent from around the corner catches my attention. It’s Lilia Solonik, my arch-rival, grumbling to someone.

“I’ll find a way to show my sexist father I’m as capable as a man. Fucking leave me alone for five seconds. I don’t need constant handling.” She bolts around the corner faster than I can regroup and crashes into my side.

Holding her hands out carefully, making sure the baby is safe, she gets her bearings before lifting her eyes to see who she crashed into.

My nemesis is touching my child. No Solonik will ever harm my child, touch my child, or even look at my child. Lilia’s personal guard is a step behind her. He recognizes me first.

“Hands off.”

“So, this is the glorious heir.” She makes a show of removing her hands slowly, her fingertips dragging away last.

It doesn’t surprise me that she knows about Pakhan’s challenge, but I don’t like the glimmer in her evil eye. The Soloniks are the reason we Lazovskis moved to Eggplant Canyon. We heard about their activities nearby and wanted to put a stop to them.

I bolt past her, find the waitress so I can pay our bill, then return to our table. I reach for Margot’s hand without bothering to sit.

“Let’s get you home. Let’s get you some rest.”

“It’s nice out. Why hurry?”

“Maverik’s getting fussy. I think there might be too much stimulation.”

He’s sound asleep already, but the inconsistency should be enough to give a hint.

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