Page 89 of Sexting my Bratva Daddies

“Because you have an incredible family who will make sure you get plenty of rest and don’t stay up all night on baby duty.” Scott winked at Daphne, who snorted and rolled her eyes dramatically before she giggled.

“He’s right.” I hugged her from the side, being careful not to jostle her. “We do have an incredible family.”

They’d helped me find some semblance of peace after the devastation of my romantic tryst. They had hounded me with questions, and I’d been as honest as possible. We were united in one thing. We would do whatever it took to protect our family.

Luka careened into the room, his smile wide and laughter exploding out in a deep belly chuckle. “No, Bella. No tickle.”

Bella, Daphne’s first child, ran after Luka with her hands outstretched in claws. “Tickle, Luka. Tickle, tickle.”

Luka screamed and scrambled into my lap, throwing his arms around my neck and laughing hysterically.

Bella’s legs locked, and she snapped to a stop so fast her sideways ponytail bobbled. “Oh, sister’s here. I hold her.” She held out both arms, then jumped up and down. “I hold her. I hold her. I hold her.”

“What did we say about you holding your sister?” Scott nodded toward the rocking chair, and Bella ran over.

I ran my fingertips along Luka’s ribs, drawing out his squealing laugh. This was what I’d been working so hard to protect.

Did I miss Viktor, Leo, and Misha? Every. Single. Day.

But I would not change anything as long as I got to keep Luka safe. I hadn’t seen them in five years. I didn’t dare look them up online. I knew myself too well.

If I saw them, I’d be even more tempted to regret my decision.

Better for all of us if I left it alone. Scott’s mishap today was the first in five years.

It would be fine. I had no doubts they’d moved on.

Three days later, standing in Mom and Dad’s kitchen with a cup of coffee as I tried to talk myself into going to work, a series of hard knocks banged on the front door.

“That’s probably Scott. He’s supposed to come pick up their laundry today.” Mom flipped pancakes onto a plate for Luka.

“I’ll let him in.” Despite being part of the family for years, Scott still felt it necessary to knock. I turned and crossed the room, gripped the doorknob, and pulled the door open.

My knees went weak at the sight of three very large, very angry–very not Scott–men glaring at me.

“Leo. Viktor. Misha.” I whispered their names and took a step back, my legs giving way until I crashed into Dad’s recliner.

My brothers’ footsteps pounded down the hallway from the kitchen to the living room. Tommy cut in front of me. “What are you doing here?”

I swallowed the boulder lodged in my throat and tried to speak. No was the only word that came to mind. They were here. Why were they here?

“Hello, Peyton.” Leo’s voice slashed through the ringing in my ears.

Viktor took a step into the room, shoving past Tommy.

They were thinner than I remembered, with haggard expressions and lifeless eyes.

Especially Misha. The weight of his stare stopped my heart.

“Get out.” Tommy grabbed Leo’s arm.

Leo flung him off, sending Tommy stumbling back.

“Stop.” I didn’t have enough breath to do more than whisper the word.

“How could you?” The hurt in Viktor’s face almost took away the fury that rolled off him in waves.

Leo bared his teeth at Tommy when all my brothers, by blood and by marriage, tried to come between us. “How could you do that to us?”