Page 54 of The Bratva Bosses' Nanny

“I like the sound of that,” I say.

In an instant, Dmitri’s lips are on mine, and the world falls away. He kisses me hungrily, his arms pulling me closer against him.

As we kiss, the tension which had been building inside of me begins to release. The worry, the fear, the uncertainty, it all fades away in this moment.

***

The first light of dawn sneaks in through the curtains, and I find myself awake before the alarm. I spent the night in Dmitri’s bed, with Alina tucked safely between us. For a moment, I watch them sleep, the rise and fall of their chests synchronized in peaceful slumber.

I brush Dmitri’s cheek with my fingertips, then Alina’s, a silent thank you for this quiet moment. Careful not to wake them, I slip out of bed and quickly change out of my pajamas.

Stepping out the door, I’m met by Aleksandr. He’s stationed himself like a sentinel in the hallway, dark circles under his eyes betraying a night spent on alert.

“Good morning,” he greets, his voice rough with fatigue.

“Good morning,” I reply, trying to match his tone of normalcy.

“Have you slept well?”

“Yes, I... yes, I have,” I manage, the assurance more for me than him.

“Are you ready for this?” he asks.

“I’m not sure,” I admit, the weight of the coming day settling on my shoulders.

“Look, Emma, if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to,” Aleksandr offers, and there’s a softness there I hadn’t noticed before.

But I shake my head, more to affirm my resolve than to dismiss his concern. “I have to,” I assert, the words firm. “I have to do it to prove my sister’s innocence.”

His nod is almost imperceptible. “If anything happens, we’ll be listening, okay? We’ll step in right away. You’ll be safe,” he assures me.

And I want to believe him, I really do. Because right now, his promise is the only thing I have to hold onto.

I hesitate for a fraction of a second, the reality of the situation sinking in. The intimacy of it, the danger, it’s all too much and not enough at the same time.

“I don’t know how any of this works,” I admit, my voice betraying the tremble I feel inside.

Aleksandr offers a small, reassuring nod. “I’ll show you,” he says, his tone business-like, trying to dispel the tension. “Lift your shirt.”

I comply, lifting the hem of my shirt to reveal my stomach. He reaches into a small bag on the floor next to him. His hands are professional as they guide the wire along my skin, cool and precise.

As Aleksandr attaches the wire to my skin, I can’t help but feel a sense of vulnerability. This isn’t something I ever thought I’d have to do, let alone be comfortable with. But for Alina’s sake, I’ll do whatever it takes.

“Okay, it’s all set up,” Aleksandr says, checking the connection. “Just remember to keep the receiver with you at all times.”

I nod, taking the small device from him and tucking it into my pocket.

His lips press lightly against my cheek, a fleeting touch that leaves a trail of warmth. “Good luck,” Aleksandr murmurs, the simple gesture a surprising contrast to his usual stoicism.

I touch the spot where his lips just were, the intimacy of the act sending a shiver down my spine. It’s a silent acknowledgment of the danger I’m stepping into, and a reminder of the personal stakes for everyone involved.

“Thank you,” I manage to say, mustering a brave smile. “I’ll need it.”

I make my way outside. They already called an Uber for me. I look back at the mansion and see Nikolai on the balcony. I smile at him. He smiles and waves back at me.

I enter the Uber, the city blurring past me as we head toward the Madden’s beauty salon. The familiar streets do nothing to ease the knot of anxiety in my stomach. As the car stops, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come. “My sister’s innocent,” I repeat in my head a million times.

Stepping into the salon, the scent of hair products and nail polish fills the air. It’s busy, buzzing with the chatter of clients and stylists, the same as it always was.

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