Page 65 of Sexting my Bratva Daddies

“Well, after the initial gasps and ‘Oh, my God’ from my older sister, they were incredible. I knew they would be. It’s just hard to say some things, especially to the people we care about. You know? Which is weird, because they are the first people we should be able to talk to about that stuff.”

Elena nodded along, but with a dazed expression. “Yes. Right. But how are you doing?”

“Great.” I sighed so long, my vision dotted with black spots. I stopped and took her hand. “I know you were worried about me, but you really don’t have to be. I’m great. I didn’t know it was possible to feel like this.”

Leo’s laughter sounded from down the hall, and I was pulled that way without thinking.

Elena turned with me, her intensity growing.

“I’m falling for them, Elena. They seem scary, but underneath it all, I’ve never felt more cared for or protected.” I stirred my coffee and refused to drop my head.

Elena made a noise in the back of her throat that sounded like a scoff. “You do not know who they really are. I have tried to tell you.”

“I know. And I’m sorry that I don’t believe you.” I put a hand on her arm. “They asked me to move in with them. I’m staying at the penthouse.”

“They what?” Elena’s coffee sloshed at the force of her turn.

“Temporarily.” I rushed to explain, needing her to understand. “For safety reasons. There’s something going on with the business, and it’s why didn’t want me to be alone until it’s over.”

“Safety.” She repeated the word slowly. “Should you be worried?”

“No. They don’t think the risk to me is high. It’s just a precaution, you know? Isn’t it romantic?” I put my hand over my heart and faked swooning. “I thought stuff like that only happened in movies.”

Elena blinked and tore her gaze away from Leo and the others. “It’s something.” Her eyes narrowed when Viktor turned our way.

I had no explanation for the gut-wrenching sensation that hit when all three men pulled around and stared. They were not being subtle anymore. And even though they were not trying to rush me, I patted Elena’s arm and put a lid on my coffee. “I have to go.”

“Check in with me.” Her hand shot out, and she grabbed my arm. Concern ran rampant in her eyes. “That is all I ask, Peyton. Keep checking in with me.”

“Every day if that’s what you want.” I gave her a quick one-armed hug. “Thank you for being my friend. I never would have found the courage to agree to that first meeting without you. I’m so glad I did.”

I meant every word. This life had happened because of her friendship, her reassurance that I could do this. Viktor, Leo, and Misha reinforced the idea, and I’d grown stronger because of them.

I hurried down the hall, joining them in the elevator for the ride up.

We went our separate ways at my desk. Knowing I could have them at any time had not put a damper on how often I sought them out, but today had a heaviness to it that pushed me into my seat.

I listened to their voices until the doors closed, then focused on the computer screen.

My phone pinged, and I grinned before flipping it over to check the notification, certain it would be a dirty message on Intivibe.

Instead, the small pink question mark sent my stomach through the floor. A quick swipe down brought the message into view.

You’re a week late checking in. Is everything okay?

A week late?

My stomach knotted for a new reason. I swallowed hard and put the phone face down on the desk like that would change what I’d seen.

Five years. Five years of using the same app to track my menstrual cycles and I’d never been a week late.

I’d been so absorbed in the whirlwind of the last few weeks that I hadn’t even noticed. I turned the phone over and double-checked the dates I’d marked last month, just to make sure I hadn’t marked them wrong.

Nope. All exactly the same. My head pulled to the left, toward the offices. Should I tell them my suspicions? No. Not yet. We hadn’t talked about the future in any capacity. I had no idea whether any of them wanted children.

Okay. Next steps. I stared at my computer screen, my mind whirling.

This wasn’t exactly the kind of thing I preferred to think about in the middle of the work day. I’d rather run to the bathroom and hide, but Viktor needed me to check in his client for his first meeting.