Page 37 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

Lily’s eyes widened. “She’s getting married? She seems so young. Doesn’t she want a career and adventures first?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business. It’s the same as asking you why you dedicated your life to a man who used you to support him instead of providing,” I snapped.

The thoughts I was having about Lily were making me temperamental. They felt like a direct insult to my late wife. I expected her to look away, but she just steadily met my eyes. “I am a modern woman, Daniil. I don’t need to be kept like some precious trophy wife.”

The nerve under my eye twitched in shock. “Maybe that’s true,” I said in a much calmer voice. “But that still doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to be looked after. Anya has always known her place in the world. She wants to be married.”

Lily opened her mouth to speak and shut it again. “It’s really not any of my business, sorry. I don’t know,” her eyes darted up to me, “anything about the way you live your life. So I shouldn’t pass judgment.”

“That’s right, you don’t, so you should—” I froze. I was being a serious dickhead. Timothy was right there, staring up at me with his wide eyes that were so much like his mother’s. If Claudia were alive, she would tell me off for being such a jerk as well.

Raggedly, I let out a breath, my hand ruffling my hair. “Sorry,” I mumbled. “I shouldn’t take my bad mood out on you.”

A lot of concern tightened her features. “Is there something I can do to help?”

I almost smiled. Almost but not quite. Oh, there were plenty of things she could do to calm the tension running through me, like drop to her knees and give me relief with that sweet, hot mouth of hers. I almost said it, but I didn’t because my son was sitting right there.

With him back home, I would have to be extra careful about my sexual relationship with Lily.

“No,” I said instead. “You’re off the clock for the evening. I’m going to get Timothy bathed and into bed, and then I’ll be in my office if you want me.”

The invitation was clear and open. If she wanted to spend the night with me, she would need to seek me out.

Anya thought I was being difficult for no reason. She had repeatedly told me so when I had taken her out to the car. It wasnt like I wasn’t attracted to Lily, but there had to be more than physical attraction if I was to bring a woman into my life permanently.

For starters, Timothy would have to absolutely idolize the woman.

“Want Lily,” Timofey said firmly.

“What?” I asked because what the hell? He had never in his short life ever asked for anyone else to put him to bed but Anya or me.

“Lily.” He wrapped his skinny arms around her neck, and she easily shifted him to her lap. Leaving me even more shocked.

I met her eyes. “Do you—”

I didn’t even get to finish before she smiled. ”I don’t mind. Timothy and I have become great friends, but he’s going to have to show me his room and where his things are. Can you do that?”

I’d never seen him look so enthusiastic. Climbing from her lap, he tugged at her hand until she had no choice but to follow him. Brushing past me, my senses were assaulted by the sweet smell of her perfume.

Reaching out, I caught her wrist in my hand, my thumb broke over her pulse point. “Thank you.”

She was so good with him, and she was good for me as well. That’s all I kept thinking as I sat in my barely lit office two hours later. The only light source was from an antique lamp and the roaring open fire. At the office, everything was modern and sleek, but here? In my home, I preferred a warmer feel, especially here, where I spent most of my time.

Pouring myself another vodka, I sank into the padded leather chair and took a sip. Why did she have to be so good with him? Watching Lily bathe and put my son to bed had been eye-opening, especially when she sang sweetly to him in her off-key voice, smoothing his hair back until he had fallen asleep.

Lily was made to be a mother. And Timothy liked her a lot. But that didn’t mean she was born to be his mother. He had a mother.

Again, guilt rippled through me. It felt like I was betraying Claudia, even though I knew that was stupid. I’d had women in my life since she had died, usually women I paid to give me the release I needed and leave straight after. I didn’t do relationships, and I never let women stay over, let alone meet my son.

Lily had changed all of that. The moment I had seen her video, I knew I had to have her and not just for one night either. A woman like her was—

The tiniest of sounds came from the door, and my hand snapped upwards. “Who is it?”

“It’s Lily.”

I glanced at the bank of monitors on the side of my desk. She was alone, dressed in a thick robe over her night clothes, and she was plucking at the belt secured around her waist nervously.

“Daniil?”