Page 122 of Bratva Brother’s Bride

“You’re up early,” I say.

“Couldn’t sleep.” She doesn’t turn around. Her eyes are fixed on her reflection. “Do you think I’ll start showing soon?”

I come up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leans into me, her back against my chest. I rest my chin on her shoulder and look at our reflection in the mirror.

“You’ll look beautiful pregnant,” I say. My voice is low, rougher than I intend. “All swollen with my child.”

She shifts against me. “That’s one way to put it.”

“It’s the truth.” My hands splay across her stomach, possessive. “Everyone will know you’re mine. That you’re carrying my baby.”

She turns her head to look at me. “I’m already yours, Roman.”

“Are you?” I kiss her neck, my teeth scraping gently against her skin. She shivers. “Are you really?”

I turn her in my arms and kiss her. When I pull back, her lips are swollen and her eyes dark with desire. I want to push her against the wall and take her right here, right now.

But my ribs are screaming and she’s still exhausted from yesterday. So I settle for what I can have.

“Breakfast,” I say. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

I take her hand and lead her from the bedroom.

Oksana is in the kitchen when we arrive. She’s at the stove with a spatula in hand, humming something that sounds vaguely like a lullaby. The smell of coffee and bacon fills the air.

“Good morning,” she says when she sees us. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Starving.”

Vera slides onto a barstool at the island. I take the one next to her, our knees brushing under the counter. Oksana sets a mug of decaf coffee in front of each of us, then returns to the stove.

There’s something strangely domestic about this moment. It feels normal, like something regular people do.

“What’s on the agenda today?” Vera asks.

“Nothing.” I sip my coffee. “Absolutely nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing.” I set my mug down. “No meetings or family drama.”

Mostly because my family is all dead. The thought is accompanied by a twist in my gut, but I shove it aside.

Oksana sets a plate in front of each of us. There are scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. It’s simple, but all I can stomach right now anyway.

“Thank you,” Vera says.

“My pleasure.” Oksana wipes her hands on her apron. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

She disappears down the hallway, leaving us alone.

We eat in silence for a few minutes. It’s not uncomfortable. It’s just... quiet. Peaceful.

“What if I get bored?” Vera asks finally. “I’m so used to the drama, I don’t know how to just exist.”

“Then we’ll find something to do.” I push my plate away. “We could go to the museum. Or take a walk along the lake. Or stay in bed all day.”

“Those are my options?”