Page 96 of Sexting my Bratva Daddies

Motherhood looked good on her, but more than that, the way she looked at us had changed.

The meekness gave way to a protective instinct that kept her chin up and her eyes wary.

The old Peyton would have trembled.

This one met us look for look, standing toe to toe without backing down.

None of us had moved since we left the room. Leo pressed his shoulder into the wall, his arms crossed.

Viktor had made it a step further, but the stillness in his body failed to deceive any of us. His heart was as shredded as my own.

Peyton’s right shoulder twitched toward her ear, and she crossed her arms, her head tipping back and turning to check both ends of the hallway. “It feels strange and yet so, so good to be back here.”

A sigh of relief punched all the air from my lungs. “Peyton.” I’d spent enough time hesitating before. I wouldn’t fall into that trap again. “Can I hold you?”

Her arms relaxed, and then she was in my arms. Her head landed on my chest, her arms tight around my ribs. My chest ached from the rightness of it. “I’ve missed you so damned much. You have no idea. I was dying from the inside out.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “I don’t know what you want our relationship to look like moving forward, but I need you to know that I’m here for all of it. Whatever you want. Whatever you need from me. I’m here.”

I might never let her go. How could I?

Her arms tightened, and she let out a quiet sigh. “I’d like you to take me to bed. All of you. If that’s still an option. I’ve missed all of you. I still feel like this is a dream.”

“We can make it real.” Viktor pushed forward and hugged Peyton from the side. Leo followed his example, and for several blissful seconds, we simply held Peyton, the love of our lives and the mother of our child.

Peyton made a sound against my chest, not quite a word but not a sob either. Her cheek moved from side to side, and she lifted onto her tiptoes to kiss my cheek. “Take me to bed, Misha.”

I didn’t need any other incentive to sweep her into my arms and carry her into the bedroom three doors down. Our room.

Nothing had changed here either, though none of us had entered since the day she left.

Peyton kicked her feet, her head tucked close to my chest and her arm around my neck. “You’ve been working out.” A giggle rippled through her body and vibrated down my arms. “Didn’t think you could get any more buff.”

I could tell her that lifting weights was the only time I felt even a sliver of hope that I’d survive.

I’d lived in our home gym for hours, moving my body despite being trapped in my head.

Instead, I kissed her, releasing her legs to let them slide down my body and pulling her flush against me.

With nothing more than a look at Leo, we made an agreement. We’d take our time tonight, each of us spending time with Peyton one on one. And I was going first.

I ran my hands through her hair, down her shoulders, then back up to cup the sides of her neck. “I love you, Peyton. I never want to lose you again.” I kissed her before she could respond.

We moved toward the bed slowly, neither of us willing to rush. I sat on the edge and pulled her between my knees, my arms once again going around her waist as I buried my head between her breasts and simply breathed her in.

Her nails scraped over my scalp and down the back of my neck.

She tugged on my collar, unbuttoning the first few buttons, and slid her hands across my bare skin.

A shudder turned into liquid hot heat that sent my hands underneath her skirt. I stood, bringing the dress up with me. “You still wear dresses.”

Her laugh and the shrug put light in her eyes. “They’re comfortable. And when you’re chasing after a four-year-old, comfort matters.”

“I can’t wait to learn that for myself.” I kissed my way across her collarbone, then the side of her neck.

“I’m sorry.”

“No.” I framed her face in my hands. “No more apologizing. No feeling guilty. You did what you had to, and we’re together again. That’s what matters.” I dipped my head to taste her lips. “You’re both safe. That’s all that matters.”

Loving her had never been a choice. It was like gravity. She held me captive, and I had no desire to escape.