Page 10 of Inked in Devotion

“I’m not clueless,” I retorted, chafing with impatience.

Both De Lucci and Trevor cleared the path for me, and Chloe stood to the side chewing on her finger.

I approached the boy who appeared to be curious but subdued. No, he was downright suspicious of me. His head was bowed, then he looked up at Dora, clinging to her as if he wanted to disappear.

It wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. Fuck. I couldn’t describe the emotion I was feeling. Disappointed? Indignant. Shame. Guilt.

How could this little creature’s rejection make me want to roar? And there was something else. I was yearning for his acceptance.

I was comparing him to the children of the bratva.

Babies passed around to family members, where even an aunt, uncle, or cousin was a caretaker.

I released a fractured breath, and I didn’t push forward. But it was making my case for my son growing up bratva. He wasn’t about to become a pansy-assed King billionaire’s protégé.

It would smother him, and he wouldn’t survive once his bloodline was revealed.

“He’s been isolated.” Something had been bothering me. “When Lucy found you in the cabin, he wasn’t with you, was he?”

Chloe visibly paled. I pinned her in place with an accusatory stare.

“That’s enough, Petrov,” Dom warned. Well, fuck him.

I barked an incredulous and derisive laugh. “You left my son to be cared for by this woman?”

“And Dora did a fantastic job!” Chloe shouted.

Sebastian turned red and started to cry. Both Chloe and I surged forward, but the older woman turned and walked away.

My fingers curled into my palms to keep from yanking Sebastian away from her. Who was this Dora woman? A nanny?

“There’s too much tension in the room and it’s not good for Sebastian,” she called over her shoulder. “Until then, I suggest you all figure out custody.”

“Custody? What custody?” I glared at Chloe. “I admit it’s not ideal to bring him home right now. There are arrangements to be made.”

“Custody,” Chloe enunciated. “Learn the meaning of the word, Ni—Kolya, because it will be a cold day in hell before I let my son be raised in the bratva.”

Dom sighed and checked his phone. “That’s Kirill. He wants you back at his house to explain this shitstorm you started.”

I didn’t want to leave. “We have much to discuss⁠—”

“Negotiate,” Chloe said coldly.

“You honestly think I’ll let you raise my son outside the bratva?”

“Get a lawyer, Kolya,” she shot back.

“Do I have your word that you’re not going to disappear with my son?”

“I will not keep you from seeing him.” Her shoulders slumped. “I just want what’s best for Seb.”

I held my tongue because I was single-minded about this and probably should step back from the situation to see clearly. It had been reckless to storm in here. Any enforcer worth their salt knew better than to head into a job unprepared.

I was not only unprepared.

I was outnumbered.

I acquiesced. “Fine. I’ll be in contact.”