Page 6 of Bratva Menace

I scoffed. “Please. We all know who their favorite is going to be, and it ain’t gonna be you.”

I had every intention of getting Favorite Uncle status. It wouldn’t be hard. My only competition was Aleksandr, and he was big and grumpy. He was liable to make the babies burst into tears the moment they saw him.

“Don’t you think it will be Aleksandr?” Autumn asked, a mischievous smile on her face. “One of the twins is named after him, after all.”

I pointed a finger at her. “That’s yet to be decided.”

Tatiana laughed. “Sorry, Lukyan. It has definitely been decided.”

“Fine. Lukyan works for a girl too.”

“I’m not naming my daughter Lukyan,” Nikolai blustered.

“What about Luky?” I countered.

“No.”

“Lukinda?”

“No.”

“Lukyana? A combination of Lukyan and Illayana?”

“I like that one.” Illayana nodded.

“Drea’s a good name too!” Drea cut in.

“Well, if we’re throwing names out there—” Autumn began.

“What Tatiana and I decide to name our daughter will be between Tatiana and I,” Nikolai declared.

“I kind of like the name Lukinda. It has a nice ring to it,” Tatiana said, a cheeky smirk on her face.

Nikolai’s eyes widened in fear and disbelief. His jaw clenched, and his next words came out strained, as if it pained him to utter them. “Really?”

Tatiana burst out in laughter. “No.”

His shoulders slumped in relief. “Thank God.”

I locked eyes with Arturo. Because I was a loveable, sociable chap, I stuck my hand out toward him. “Arty. Nice to see you.”

His eyes narrowed. He placed his hand in mine and squeezed. Hard. Fucking ouch. “I wish I could say the same.”

Illayana rammed an elbow into his ribs and gave him a scathing look. He rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Nice to see you too.”

I smiled brightly. “I know you like me. Deep, deep down. I make you laugh. Admit it.”

“I’ll do no such thing.”

I didn’t need him to admit it. I reminded him of his own brother, and because of that, I would always have a special place in his heart.

Speaking of which, Vincenzo was standing just outside of our little circle, waiting to offer his own greeting. “I’m gonna go mingle. Catch up with you crazy lot later.”

At Vincenzo’s side were his younger siblings, Lucian on his left and Theodora on his right, their little hands in his. I smiled broadly, clasping his forearm. “You sneaky fucker. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Standing at 6’3, he was tall, lean, with short dark hair styled in a meticulous way that looked both neat and messy at the same time. His emerald eyes were a big hit with the ladies. And the men, if we’re being honest. Coupled with the sharp jaw, high cheekbones, and dimples, he was almost attractive enough to give me a run for my money.

Almost.