Page 46 of Surprise Quadruplets for the Mob

To his credit, at least he’s being honest and open with me. He’s laying it all out there, giving me the whole truth and nothing but.

The problem is, I’m not sure what to do with it.

Chapter 22

Maksim

Ishould be working, but I’m not. I haven’t been doing anything at all for the past fifteen or twenty minutes. Instead, I’ve been looking out the window of my study at the courtyard.

Or, more specifically, at Abby and the babies playing together in the courtyard.

Abby is sitting on a blanket in the grass, dressed in a flowing white summer dress. The wind keeps blowing her hair into her face, but she doesn’t seem to mind. She just brushes it away and keeps laughing as she talks to the babies.

My heart aches with happiness, watching her with the four of them. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my life.

And yet, there’s a nagging sense of unease tugging at the back of my mind. I want this so badly, and I’ve never wanted anything more than to make it real.

But is it? Can it be?

I’m not a good man, and I know that. I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. I’ve hurt a lot of people. Hell, I’ve killed people. Not a single one of them was innocent, and I’ve never given any of them a second thought. Until now. Because I’ve never had a reason to care that the life I’ve chosen is a dangerous one until now.

It’s a violent and bloody business, and the longer I’m in it, the higher the chances are that my world will spill over into hers.That my choices and the life I lead will impact her, the babies, and everyone she loves.

I know it, and it kills me to admit it, but I can’t escape the reality of it.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of someone quietly clearing their throat behind me. I turn to see Nadia with a faint, gentle smile playing on her lips.

“It’s okay to love her, you know.” She steps into the room and moves closer to the window, joining me as we watch Abby and the babies play.

“Who said anything about love?” I ask, a little surprised by her observation.

“You didn’t have to say a word, Maksimochka,” she replies. “I’ve known you your whole life. I can read you like a book.”

I huff a laugh, not bothering to deny it. “You’ve always been able to see through me, haven’t you?”

She nods. “Of course. And I can see that you’re happy with her.”

“I am.” It’s the truth, but the words don’t come easily. “I care about her. She’s a good mother.”

“She is.” The older woman steps into my study, pulling the door closed behind her. Nadia is nothing if not discreet. She’s been around long enough to know everything that goes on in this family and in our business.

“She seems to have adjusted pretty well here,” I muse, hoping it’s true even though I honestly don’t know for sure. We spend our nights together now, but Nadia sees her more than I do during the day. “Don’t you think?”

“I do,” Nadia agrees. “She’s a brave young woman. Smart and capable, too.”

“Yeah.” I turn back to the window, watching Abby with a growing ache in my chest. “I wish she didn’t have to be, though.”

Nadia looks at me with a question in her eyes. “You don’t want her to be strong?”

“Of course I do.” I shake my head. “I just wish she didn’thaveto be, that it wasn’t required for her survival. I want her to be whatever she wants to be. I want her to have the life she wants. The life she deserves. I want that for her, and the kids, too.”

“And what is that life?” Nadia asks. “What do you think she wants?”

“I don’t know.” I run a hand through my hair. “I don’t think she knows either.”

“I think you should ask her.”

I glance at Nadia. “What would you say if she decided to leave? What if she told me she couldn’t be a part of all this, even if I tried to change the business or go straight?”

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