Page 27 of Inked in Devotion

Kolya’s eyes sought my face first, then dropped to Sebastian. As he approached, the corner of his mouth kicked up.

I was about to introduce Marena when she intercepted Kolya, extending a hand. “My name is Marena Rodriguez. I’m⁠—”

“I know who you are,” Kolya cut her off in a flat voice. “You’re here to make sure I behave.”

He stared at her outstretched hand several seconds more than was courteous, and I held my breath. Why was he antagonizing Marena?

I released the tensed-up breath when he acknowledged the handshake.

“I’m not here as your enemy, Mr. Petrov. My report is unbiased.”

“Meaning?” he asked, but he wasn’t looking at her. He’d already dismissed her, and his full attention was on Sebastian. He stopped a foot in front of the stroller. “Is he still suspicious of strangers?”

“Not like he was the first time you saw him.”

Sebastian peeked up at Kolya but only gave him a passing glance before his focus diverted to the new space. Specifically, at the play area in the center of the penthouse, which was clearly set up just for this meeting. I didn’t know how much Theo paid Margo for the covenant, but it must be hefty enough to facilitate the resolution of any conflict in my relationship with Kolya.

He turned to Marena. “Belligerent father might be the term you’re looking for.”

Marena’s mouth curved in derision. “I don’t need help with my vocabulary, Mr. Petrov.”

“Hold on, Marena.” I wasn’t about to let this meeting crash and burn. I pushed Sebastian’s stroller toward the sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows, looking pointedly at Kolya to follow me. He appeared unbothered, and that irritated me because I had been anticipating this meeting with dread and a weird emotion I couldn’t identify.

“Why are you antagonizing the family liaison officer?”

“Fancy title.”

“Kolya!” I snapped. “This is not a joke.”

“My son is far from a joke.” His voice turned serious. “But I’m not about to let a stranger judge me on how I interact with my son.”

“It’s for⁠—”

“His safety?”

“Please don’t make this difficult.”

He inched closer. “The only reason I allowed that woman in this meeting is because I don’t want to make it difficult for you.” The brilliant blue of his eyes pinned me to where I stood. I was lost in them when I shouldn’t be. Was that how he distracted his marks before he slit their throats? That his beautiful eyes were the last image they saw. A flash of him above me, moving inside me, flickered in my head.

Oh, shit.

I dropped my eyes. “Do you want to hold him?”

“Ah, princess. Yes.” He expunged a long sigh. “But I’m afraid I might not want to let him go.”

“Is everything all right there?” Marena called.

“That bitch,” Kolya swore softly.

“We’re fine!” I answered her before I glared at him. “Please watch your language around Sebastian.” I bent down to release him from the stroller. He eagerly went into my arms before turning curiously toward his father. Unlike the first time when he clung to Dora, this time he was more interested. Not that he’d suddenly become this fearless boy. He’d be an explorer one day and just become clingy the next. But today, I was glad he was the former. Even with the uncertainty between us, I wanted Kolya to experience what it meant to have half his DNA owned by Sebastian.

“Hey, buddy,” Kolya whispered and tentatively held out his arms. Sebastian made some bababa sounds before he tilted his body forward and fell into his father’s arms.

Tightness clenched my chest as I watched Kolya’s face transform.

A smile kicked up both corners of his mouth. No sign of mockery anywhere. His face losing all its sharp edges as I witnessed a hardened man fall in love with his son.

Sebastian kicked his feet, enjoying how he was being held up higher, and giggled. I didn’t know why, but tears stung my eyes and the pressure in my chest intensified with what was relief and happiness. I thought I would feel fear, but my heart really wanted Kolya to accept his son not as a future bratva soldier, but the way a normal father would be proud to hold his son.