There was an unspoken truce between us. No war, yet we couldn’t fully let our guards down enough to enjoy the peace.
His fingers brushed down my palm and fingers.
The days he didn’t leave any underwear out for me spoke volumes about his intentions. It wasn’t always sex—sometimes it was just to tease me beneath my skirt or dress. Sometimes it was just the games he loved to play.
I reached the top of the stairs and turned east to his room—our room. I paused to watch them from the balcony. The house guards, brothers, and even his byki were all invested in Runa, and she loved the attention.
She would soon remember her hunger, or her father would extract her from her over-exuberant uncle.
??????
I lay in bed messaging my brother while I waited for them. It wouldn’t be long—Vadim knew Runa would suffer at night if she didn’t have her afternoon nap. I’d drawn the curtains to darken the room.
Ruslan kept me informed with what he knew on the ground. A few other shestyorka had been questioned, but not Ruslan. I sighed and placed my phone beneath my pillow. He was moving up to become a soldier soon. There had been no special treatment for him.
The door opened and closed with a soft click.
“I changed her downstairs,” he said, giving Runa a kiss before passing her over to me.
“You need to leave me better breast access in clothing,” I said, taking her from him.
He stared at me, but I ignored him and pulled Runa beneath the covers where she latched on easily. Once she was settled, I glanced at him—he was still standing beside me.
In his hand he held a familiar black card.
“For maternity clothes only, or baby items. No chemicals or herbs,” he said sternly.
“As long as no one upsets me while I am pregnant, they are safe,” I said, taking his card.“But hormones could make me volatile.”
He grunted as he shrugged out of his jacket. That’s when I saw the leather holster for his gun. This was new.
I’d never been turned on by firearms before, but he armed himself to protect us—our babies. The latest one nestled in my belly. He joined us on the bed and Runa raised her hand for him.
“We’ll have two cots in here soon,” I whispered.
“The room was extended. Two is a good start,” he said, kissing Runa’s hand before placing it on his cheek as he snuggled closer.
He could say whatever he wanted, but he would soon learn that juggling two babies wasn’t easy. Apparently, a baker had told him otherwise. I didn’t even question the bizarre statement.
“Once she is asleep, I want you in the basement,” he said.“I’d like to test those hormones out.”
And just like that the relaxed silence turned to anticipation. It was scandalous—it was only the afternoon—but he wanted to make up for leaving early this morning.
“It’s your house on the line,” I murmured.
“You’d be placed in the basement on a permanent basis.”
He was saying that like it was a punishment.
“Under lock and key,” he whispered, kissing the soft hair on Runa’s head.“I’d visit often.”
I smiled as I watched Runa’s eyes droop.
??????
They all knew where he was taking me and why. My cheeks were red hot by the time I reached the bottom of the basement steps. Olya had been charged with monitoring Runa in case we were still down there when she woke up.
“Does anyone know about the room down here?” I asked.
