Page 15 of The Bratva's Secret Baby

The Varkov mansion was a home to criminals. The infamous Bratva, whom I hated only a tad less than The Circle, occupied the wings of this building. The only reason I hadn’t turned around yet and bolted to my car—was because of my friend Bella.

Bella and I hadn’t seen or spoken to each other in a while—almost a year—since I got busy with my investigations and studying. Although my instincts kicked against accepting the birthday invitation for her little girl, I’d missed Bella very much, so accepting her invitation was my way of making up for being such a lousy friend.

Reaching the porch, I padded inside, taking in the chattering and bustling in the foyer. Soft music by Enya seeped into the background, smoothing the atmosphere.

The interior of the Varkov manor was oddly minimalistic. Obscene chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, pouring a goldish glow that glinted off the white marble floors and pale walls that towered over me as if judging my every move.

Whoever built and decorated this building must’ve had a feud of some sort with color. Guests bustled in and out of the foyer and in the garden was a big bouncy castle keeping the kids entertained.

Even on the walls hung black and white portraits that I assumed were of previous generations of Varkov men. I walked over to the portraits, scrutinizing all seven of them. All their faces had one thing in common: the expressionless faces and dark eyes that matched their souls.

All of them had blood on their hands.

Crap! A shiver ran down my spine like a hundred spiders. This place creeped me out. This place is haunted by the blood of the innocents they’ve killed.

“Ro!”

I spun around as I heard my name. Bella came walking down the hallway, the excitement blushing her cheeks.

“Bella!” My attempt to bite back a smile failed. A genuine smile stole my countenance.

Bella sped up her steps, her hazel eyes sparkling with delight. When she reached me, she threw her arms around me. “I’ve missed you so much, Ro.”

I hugged her back, the scent of her expensive perfume invading my nose.

“I missed you too, Bella.”

We pulled away from each other, both of our faces beaming with a smile.

“You’re looking gorgeous,” I said to Bella. She was draped in an emerald, green dress with a plunging neckline. A diamond necklace shimmered around her neck; I guessed it must have been a gift from Vlad.

Her brunette hair was arranged into elaborate curls that fell down her back.

She was just so beautiful I couldn’t help staring.

“Thank you.” She spared a moment to look at me. “You look amazing too.”

I didn’t look too bad, but I also didn’t look nearly as good as she did. I’d thrown on the first dress my hand caught from the closet; a thin-strapped, black dress with black heels to match.

I muttered, “Thank you.” Glancing around, I asked, “Where’s your daughter?”

“Right behind you.”

When I whirled around, I froze at the icy blue eyes staring right back at me. You’d think Vlad would be less stone-faced after he found love, but he hadn’t changed one bit. And I didn’t like him any more than I did when he and Bella got married.

My grudge against crime wasn’t limited to members of The Circle, it stretched to the Bratva, Cosa Nostra, and by far every crime organization in the country. The only reason I could endure being in the same space as him was for Bella.

“Hey,” I crooked awkwardly. I didn’t wait for his reply, instead, I twisted my head to Bella’s daughter. She was a splitting image of both her parents. Inheriting both their features in equal amounts. While she had Bella’s nose, and her hazel eyes and olive skin, she inherited her father’s thick, lush dark brown hair. She was so cute.

“Hey, Tatianna,” I cooed, giving her chubby cheeks a little squeeze. “It’s so good to see you again.”

A glow brightened in her eyes, then she flashed an almost toothless smile at me.

God, my ovaries just exploded.

Becoming a mother wasn’t something I’d considered, but now I think of me… and Damien. My cheeks turned red with a blush as my imagination ran wild.

Stop, Rosanne. It was one night! You don’t know him.

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