Page 112 of Inked in Devotion

Water sluiced all over us as we reached our climax.

When we reached the bed, Kolya tucked me under the covers and slipped in behind me, drawing me into his arms.

“Check on Sebastian,” I mumbled at the base of his throat.

“Sorcha said he’s sleeping,” he said.

“I feel like such a bad parent.”

“Don’t be. You’re not alone in this, Chloshka,” he said. “In the bratva, and even with the Petrovs, we believe it takes a village to raise a child.”

Even in my relaxed state, I thought about the difference between the Kings’ way of raising children versus the mafia. As I’d experienced with the De Luccis, close-knit family ties were important. The bratva was slightly different. Toughness and stoicism were prized traits, but unlike the Kings who used money and professionals to solve the problems, the bratva relied on their people, and it wasn’t about money. It was about loyalty.

Lucy thawed Kirill’s iciness. And I’d overheard one of the soldiers saying how Sorcha smiled a lot nowadays. I couldn’t even picture the housekeeper with an unsmiling face. Maybe I could belong.

That was the last thought I had before I fell into slumber. The next I knew, Kolya was waking me up with his mouth. My orgasm hit me so fucking hard, I cried out. He didn’t even give me a chance to come down when he drove inside me again.

When he finished, I was laughing, incredulous, and I shoved him off.

“My God, Kolya, have mercy on my poor pussy.”

I tried to sit up, but he jackknifed and caged me in again.

“Give me a break,” I snapped, part outraged but also part amused, which seemed to be my default reaction to this man.

“I can’t help it, Chloshka.” He nipped my lower lip. “You had me so worked up today.”

I rolled my lips, filing away Kolya’s jealous reaction. “Have you checked on Sebastian?”

“I told Sorcha we’re coming over to pick him up.”

“We,” I sighed. “Are you saying we’re together again?”

He scowled at me. “Yes. Even now, you could be pregnant.”

My eyes widened. “Shit, I haven’t been taking my pills since The Astorian.” With Dora staying with me and with our merged toiletries in the bathroom, I had not thought about it. I barely had a functioning routine. Wait. I didn’t remember seeing my pills on the bathroom counter.

He grinned.

“Kolya!”

“What?”

“Did you throw away my pills?”

“Is that even a question?”

“I can’t believe you!”

“Believe it. You’ve triggered something in me, princess. I can’t explain it. You can take the morning-after pill if you want. I’m not stopping you, but I’m not going to stop trying to get you pregnant. A girl, preferably, this time.”

That caught me by surprise. “A girl. Don’t you want another Petrov male?”

He cupped my cheek and kissed my nose. My toes curled. I was so stupid for this man.

“If you give me all boys, I don’t have a problem with that. But De Lucci’s sassy daughter⁠—”

“Sam?”