My eyelids fly open. No fucking use trying to get anymore sleep; I've been tossing and turning in this damn hospital chair since the early hours, alternating between aiming for some shuteye and texting instructions to my staff.

I glance over at Eva; she's still sleeping. Hasn't made a sound whereas I probably snored like a fucking trooper. My morning wood is a reminder of what happened last night. I reach down and cup my balls. Fuck, she'd tasted sweet. The way her tight little pussy had responded had made it difficult for me not to shoot my load in my pants there and then.

I'd loved every second of getting her off.

Her moans.

Her wetness.

The look on her face when she'd lost her shit.

She'd wanted me almost as much as I'd wanted her.

I blow out a breath; I hadn't been joking the other night when I'd accused her of giving me blue balls. Last night I'd needed relief but couldn't bring myself to tell her to give it to me... not appropriate behavior on the pediatric floor of a hospital.

Since when have I ever concerned myself with 'appropriate behavior' ha?

I hadn't jerked off in years, hadn't needed to as I've always found it easy to find a willing woman. It's only been a couple of weeks since Eva came back into my life, and, strangely, I haven't felt the need for anyone else.

Only her.

Which is insane.

I'd wrapped my hand around my cock in that stall in the Gents, masturbating like a fucking teenager, pumping my dick to thoughts of my kitten until I'd filled my fist with cum.

Elousha.

She's changing me.

Having a son is changing me.

But I need to keep up my front.

The world sees me as the Beast.

Only my family knows the other version of me.

I stare at the gun holster on the table next to my armchair; my Glock is tucked beside me.

I shudder to myself.

Yes, I have used it.

I have killed with it.

And almost certainly I'll need to kill with it again.

My shoulders slump and I give a halfhearted shrug.

I'm aware of a sound emanating from the bed and I can't resist a chuckle. My kid is babbling to himself. A couple of hours ago, a nurse had come in to check on him and had removed the IV from his arm. He'd slept right through, but now he appears wide awake.

Slowly, so as not to startle him, I go to his bedside. "Hey, little bud," a smile creases my face, "I'm your papa."

He stares at me with big blue eyes and his bottom lip trembles like he's about to burst into tears.

Idiot, I tell myself. Any kid would be terrified to wake up to a scary man towering over him.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I look around for something to divert him and my gaze lands on the bag Eva had the foresight to bring with her. I rifle through diapers and onesies until my fingers touch a teddy bear. It looks like it has seen better days, the fur has almost all been rubbed off and one ear is hanging by a thread. I pick it up and wiggle it at Kir, making silly noises as an afterthought.

He laughs from his belly and holds out his arms. My heart melting, I lift him up and he clutches the teddy between us. I kiss the soft hair on the top of his head, holding him close, breathing him in and walking him up and down the room. "I'm sorry I haven't been in your life up to now, Kir. From now on I'm going to be here for you."

I sense Eva's eyes on us and I return her gaze. What is she thinking? She'd clammed up on me last night...

She gets out of her chair and approaches.

My son’s cute little face breaks into a wide smile. "Mama," he gurgles, turning in my arms.

I hand him to her; she swings him over her head. His giggles are intoxicating, and I laugh with him until we're interrupted by a knock at the door.

"The lab tests are back," Dr. Hughes says, entering the room. "As I thought, your son has a mild bladder infection. I'll prescribe a course of antibiotics to make sure it clears." He takes Kir from Eva. "I'll just check him over then you can take him home."

Eva's golden eyes dance with happiness. "Thank you, doctor," she says in a bubbly tone of voice. "We're so relieved." She glances at me. "Aren't we, Gleb?"

I nod curtly, too overcome with emotion to speak. I clasp the doctor's forearm to convey my thanks. My mouth is dry and unexpected tears well up behind my eyelids. I excuse myself and head for the bathroom.

I stare at my face in the mirror.

Put your Beast mask back on, Gleb, or people will think you've grown a pussy.

I take a piss and return to Kir's room. Yuri has arrived to relieve the bodyguard who'd stayed with us all night... Dmitry, my housekeeper's husband. There's something I need to tell Yuri, but I'm distracted by the arrival of Brash, who's arrived to drive my Porsche home. He's brought a child seat for the Merc, like I requested in the SMS I sent earlier.

Dr. Hughes hands me paperwork to complete while Eva dresses Kir. I hand Brash my car keys and lean in so only he can hear what I say. "Ask Olga to prepare two rooms. One for Eva and one for my son. We'll stop by her parents' apartment on our way home."

"Yes, sir," he smirks as if he knew this was always on the cards. I wish I could be so sure... I still need to broach the subject with my kitten, and she'll fight my suggestion like she's fought almost every suggestion I've made to her up to now.

"What did you mean when you said things are about to turn complicated?" Eva asks as she buckles Kir into the child seat in the back of the car outside the hospital entrance. She gives him his teddy then sits herself next to him, placing her bag by her feet.

I'm sitting on the other side of our son but lean across him to explain my worry that if Vadim finds out about Kir he might try and get at him, to get at her and ultimately me. I deliberately keep my tone neutral so as not to upset my boy. "I want you to move into my place with Kir," I tell her, "so I can take care of you both."

I rub the back of my neck while I wait for her answer.

She stares at me, and I know she's going to argue back.

"That's not necessary," she says firmly. "I'll be extra vigilant at home."

I shake my head. "How can you be vigilant? You don't have adequate security. My estate is a much better option. It's surrounded by a high fence with an intrusion detection system. And I have a team of people who can protect you and Kir."

She chews on her lip, avoiding direct eye contact with me. "Who will look after him while I'm at work? My mom is like a second mother to him."

"I don't want you serving cocktails at the club, Elousha." I set my jaw and lean toward her. "Not the right job for the mother of my son."

"Ha, you had no such qualms before you found out about Kir," she shakes her head slowly and finally meets my gaze. "And what about my father and his debt to you?"

"I'll wipe it out. My housekeeper will be happy to give you a hand with Kir." I touch my fingertips together. "Your mother is welcome to visit any time she wants."

Eva's eyes rove over my face. She settles back into her seat and heaves a deep sigh. "Okay... as a temporary measure, I agree to move in with you. But only until the danger has passed." Worry creases her brow. "If you are willing to help me support Kir in the future, I'd like to get my own place, then go back to college and finish my dance studies."

To say I'm surprised by her forthrightness would be an understatement. I snort out a laugh. "Consider it done, my sweet. You know this makes sense." I reach for her hand and squeeze it. "It's a strange way to start a relationship. I mean, starting with having a baby. Most couples get to know each other first..."

Christ, what have I just said?

Me, in a relationship? With this smart-ass kid?

I should be laughing, but, fuck me I'm not.

It appears Eva can't believe what I've just said either. Her eyes almost pop out of her head and her face reddens. She doesn't say anything to me for the rest of the ride to the Petrenko building. Instead, she busies herself with keeping Kir distracted, pointing through the window and talking to him about what they can see... other cars, people walking their dogs, kids on skateboards.

She's a good mother, it occurs to me.

And I'll be a good father to my boy, so help me God.

After we arrive at the Petrenkos', and Eva's mom and dad have kissed and cooed over Kir, expressing their relief that he's on the mend, we go through to their small living room. Eva places our son on the floor, and he toddles over to his toy box in the corner of the room.

"No easy way to say this," she grabs both parents' hands, "so I'll come right out with it. Gleb is Kir's papa."

Again, I'm surprised by her candor; there's so much I have yet to learn about my kitten.

Ludmila Petrenko gives a yelp. Ivan simply squeezes his eyes shut.

They ask myriad questions, to which Eva responds calmly. She again highlights her fear that I might have taken Kir away due to her melt-down.

"That's not on the cards," I reassure them. "I will stand by your daughter, support her and my son."

I wait for their reaction, pulling in a deep breath.

A slow smile spreads over Ivan's face, and Ludmila reaches out to Eva, enveloping her in a hug.

"Thank you," Ludmila says to me. She offers me tea, which I accept for politeness' sake. Eva goes to fix Kir a drink in his sippy cup and settles him on her lap.

I can't remember the last time I sat and drank tea like this. Such a Russian thing to do; it gives me a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. I glance at Eva, give her a brief nod.

"There's something else," she says with her habitual directness. "Kir and I will be moving in with Gleb right away."

Ludmila releases a groan. She tugs at her graying hair. Skin bunches around her eyes, and she shoots me a pained look. "I helped bring Kir up," she wails, tears furrowing her cheeks. "He's like my own little boy. Please don't take him away from me."

I decide to come clean about Vadim. "If he finds out about Kir, he might try and get to him. He's already got Eva in his sights. I need time to prepare to take him down," I deliberately keep my voice calm. "In the meantime, Eva and our boy will be safe with me."

Eva reaches across and strokes her mother's arm. "Gleb says you can visit whenever you want, Mama. Every day if you like."

Ludmila nods, sniffing and wiping at her nose. "I know it's for your protection, my dear," she touches the gold cross at her neck for comfort, "but it's hard." She huffs out a sigh. "I hope you understand."

I reiterate my promise she can have full access to her grandson. What else can I do?

Kir finishes his drink and squirms to be put down. But Eva lifts him up and sniffs his butt. "This little guy needs changing," she announces. "Come with me, Mama, and help me pack our things."

They do as Eva suggests, leaving Ivan and me glaring at each other. Petrenko has been silent since his daughter dropped the bombshell of moving out.

"I'm prepared to write off your debt," I say to him, my head cocked to the side. "And I'd like to invest in your business, help you get back on your feet."

"Thank you," he presses his thin lips together. "Even before you came here today I was going to tell you something." He strokes his throat and grimaces. "I despise Vadim Rayt. Would you believe his second-in-command came to me yesterday? He offered me a shit load of money if I would sell my daughter to him."

"You refused, of course," l scowl.

"Of course, he's even worse than you." Ivan's tone lacks guile. "You might be a beast, but that man is a monster."

I bark out a laugh.

If only you knew, Ivan, if only you knew...