PROLOGUE

Four weeks later…

 

 

A quiet knock on his office door had Lukas looking up from his laptop. “Come in.”

The door opened to admit one stunning creature in an emerald bikini the same color as her eyes.

He sat back in his chair. “Wife.” The switch between business and pleasure was smooth and effortless.

“Hubs.”

His Magdalena walked her perfect body over and pointed to the windows.

“Yes?” he inquired with a feigned innocence when she didn’t say anything.

“I’ve been waiting next to the pool forever. You said we could do this today.” She shifted on her hip. “It isn’t very hot outside, I’m in need, and we’re alone in the house for at least another hour.”

He frowned around the punch of a hard-on as thoughts of yoga lessons turned to concern for his father. “My father isn’t back yet?”

“No. Should he be?”

He made a call.

“Papa.”

A long-suffering sigh sounded. “Lukas, for Christ’s sake, you nanny worse than your mother ever did. We’re just coming up the drive.”

He put his phone down, smiling, when a dead line sounded in his ear. “He’s just pulling in.”

Dale crossed her arms and gave him a stern look from under her lashes. “Did you time that on purpose?”

“I know you’re trying to show your annoyance with me, but when you look like this while wearing that?” He waved a finger to encompass the whole package of beauty. “You just look totally fuckable.”

She dropped her arms and started backing away when he got to his feet. “Really. Well, fuckable isn’t how I’m feeling at the moment, so keep your monster contained because there won’t be any creaming the Twinkie right now.”

“Creaming the Twinkie?” he laughed as he advanced on her and her lush ass.

“Yeah. You know.” She danced behind his desk on the tips of her toes, grinning her beautiful head off. “There won’t be any shellacking the canoe for you. No putting any ranch dressing in the Hidden Valley. Your wife isn’t in the mood to play a game of Mr. Wobbly hides his helmet.”

He leaned on the desk, noting they’d done nothing but trade places. “How old are you? Are you sure I didn’t mistakenly marry a high school student?”

She poked her tongue out, which did nothing but make him want to suck on it. “I’ll be twenty-three in exactly five days, old guy. You better not forget my birthday, or you’ll be dropping stomach pancakes for—”

He lunged and caught her around the waist because she couldn’t very well dive through the window to get out of his reach. He barely understood her curse because she was laughing as he dragged her across his desk and fell into a leather armchair with her in his lap.

As papers fluttered to the floor and pens stopped rolling, she snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You’re such a spoiled brat.”

“I know.”

“But you can’t have what you want right now.”

“Oh?” He slid his palm up her inner thigh to get at what he wanted. “Why’s that?”

“Because the minute your dad walks in—”

The doorbell chimed, interrupting her.

“He hits the bell, and you go running,” she finished with a soft giggle.

He gently stroked her covered pussy. “Does that bother you?” He watched her nipples harden. And then saw her brow wrinkle for a second as she put her hand over his to stop him from getting under the edge of her bikini bottoms.

“No,” she snorted. “Why would it?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m choosing him over you.”

“Lukas,” she rolled her eyes, “don’t be silly. I might describe sex and masturbation in a juvenile way to get a laugh out of you, but I don’t have the mindset of a child. I know you and your father are running an operation that means you need to be in constant contact. It doesn’t bother me in the least. Unless I don’t hear from you for a long time. Then I shit myself because I can’t help but think something’s wrong.” She pressed his fingers against her, but still wouldn’t let him in.

He knew all of this, but it didn’t hurt to have it verbalized. “Wanna make a deal?”

Her eyes began to sparkle. “Okay.”

“You come with me to see what he wants. When he sees you, if it isn’t anything important, he’ll let it wait and we can go upstairs and f—”

“Finally get to those yoga poses you promised to try that will help you deal better with stress?”

Her concern for him was an incredible thing. “I was going to say fuck, but your idea sounds okay, too.”

She whacked his shoulder. “Dirty mouth. How about yoga first, then we can get naked. Better yet; naked yoga. Mmm. Think about it. I’m the instructor, so you can look all you want, but you’re not allowed to touch until I say so. Think you can do it?”

“No.”

“Will you try?”

“For you? Of course.” He stood and put her on her feet then went to the corner and took a hoodie off the coat tree. She’d left it in here the other day after he’d stripped her of it so he could get a look at her stunning breasts in the sunlight that had been shining through the windows.

After he pulled it over her head, he took her hand and led her out of his office and down the hall to the entrance where his father waited with his regular byki. One of Lukas’s boys was just coming in the door with a fistful of mail.

As Lukas spoke to his father about a deal they were working on with an MC Vasily had vouched for before he and his crew had left, Dale remained quiet and unobtrusive next to him.

“You and Dale continue with your day,” his father eventually said. “We can talk later.”

Lukas was gearing up to sprint to their bedroom when Adam’s voice stopped him. “There’s a letter in here for a Mr. M.”

“Mr. M?” His father frowned as he turned from sending his byki to the kitchen for lunch.

“That’s probably for you,” Dale whispered, giving Lukas a shove. “You’re the only Mr. Murdery I know in this house.”

He grinned and put his hand up as he made his way over. “Claimed. My wife has a warped sense of humor,” he explained when the frown didn’t leave his father’s face.

“It isn’t really warped,” Dale assured her father-in-law as Adam also took his leave. “It’s a private joke. Just a little something I call him when he gets funny on me.”

His father leaned against the door jamb and crossed his arms before rubbing at his closely cut salt-and-pepper beard. “I cried when Lukas’s mother said ‘I do,’ and from then on, her private nickname for me was the Grim Weeper.”

Lukas tore open the plain white envelope as Dale laughed.

“See?” she said, watching him take out a card, “Mr. Murdery isn’t so bad after all.”

It wasn’t bad at all, he thought absently as he saw the card was grey with white polka dots. In the center, in a flourishing print were the words Property of the Zavrazin Organization.

“Did you have yourself registered?” He was only half joking.

She rolled her eyes. Her glittering eyes. “Turn it over,” she recommended in a voice that barely worked well enough to carry across the entrance.

The tension in the room skyrocketed. Even his father straightened and gave Dale a careful look.

Lukas headed for her as he flipped the card…

His knees turned to water, and he stumbled to a halt. A baby girl. There was a photo of a baby girl…a wave of heat blew over his face when he saw that it was a goddamn birth announcement.

December 18

Nine months away.

His breath left his lungs as his head came up. “Dale?”

She nodded, making tears splash down her face. “We did it.”

“Did what? What the fuck happened?” his father demanded in his most daunting Pakhan voice.

“Get over here.” Lukas scooped his wife against him before handing the card over, then he clamped his jaws shut and tried not to sob like a fucking girl. He held her for a long time, and when he pulled back, his father had discreetly disappeared. He’d taken the card with him.

“When did you find out?” He coughed the knot of joy out of his throat. “Jesus Christ,” he whispered as he slipped his hand down the front of her pants and laid his palm across her tight navel where his growing child was currently residing. He enjoyed the slow breath she took, and the warm look she gave him from under her lashes as she reached up to wipe the moisture from his cheeks.

“Last night. And no crying, yet, Papa. That part comes when we have our first ultrasound done and it shows two babies.” Her wink was the sexiest shit ever.

He knew she was teasing, but he asked anyway. “Are there twins in your family?”

“My aunt had twins, but, according to my mom, no one knew where they came from, so I’m assuming not on her side. On my dad’s? I don’t know. I’ve never asked.”

“Then we’ll revert to ways past and wait to find out. We don’t have any in the family, so I think we might be able to enjoy our children one at a time.”

She let out a shaky little breath. “Sounds wonderful.” She pressed forward, which sent his hand deeper into her pants.

The front door opened behind him and, as he regretfully removed his hand away from paradise, he heard Farah griping about the heat.

“You live in Texas, babe.” Samuel pulled her through the door. They were in running gear and covered in sweat. “Besides, we both know you’re just trying to make excuses for why you lost again. This isn’t even a challenge anymore. Hey, you two.” He waved. “This one is getting up there.” He winced and pointed to the ceiling. “She owes me another backrub.”

Farah landed a sound slap on his ass. “He shoved me into the brush when he said go. I almost fell on my ass. Where’s Kostya? I’m telling.” She was jerked back when she went to walk away.

“I didn’t push you hard enough for you to fall, you liar.” Like they were on a movie set, Samuel bent his wife over his arm and looked down into her face. As was the norm, he didn’t attempt to hide the love he felt for her. “How about we forget the backrub and you let me chase you around the pool for a while? That’ll cool you down nicely.”

Farah came up and kissed her man. “Deal. Get rid of our audience.”

Samuel pulled her up and waved them off. “Go find something to do. I need some alone time with my old lady.”

“Actually, we have—”

“Lukas.”

He turned at the sharp note in his father’s voice. He was in the doorway of the living room, wiping tears from his cheeks.

“Kostya?”

“Papa? What is it?”

Samuel and Farah came across the foyer wearing matching expressions of concern.

Lukas’s father put a hand up. “Go upstairs. I need to speak with Lukas and Dale.”

The air stilled at the command in his voice, and as if they’d planned it, Farah and Samuel turned in unison to look at Lukas and Dale.

“Go,” Lukas said. “We’re heading up soon ourselves, so you guys can have the pool. But give the boys a warning. It is the middle of the day.”

Farah grabbed Samuel’s hand and dragged him away. “We’re just going to swim, Lukas. We’ll leave the inappropriate stuff to the newlyweds. Would you come on?” She pulled harder on her husband who was looking between Lukas and their father, but it was a slow departure.

Once they were alone, they went into the living room where his father closed the door. He looked down at the card then swiped at his eyes again. Dale pushed Lukas forward. She had her fingers pressed to her mouth as she tried not to cry.

“Papa?” He put his hand on his father’s shoulder, and avoided looking at the small part of his ear Yuri had been able to save. Eighty percent of his hearing was gone on that side.

“Son.”

Lukas was pulled into a hug, but when his father didn’t say anything, the reason for it became clear. And clearer still with what was said after he was released.

“I must ask you both to humor an old man and do as I tell you.” He looked at the card again. “Did you send these to anyone else, Dale?”

She shook her head. “No. I just wanted to do something special, something memorable, for Lukas.”

His father smiled around a sigh and let the card fall to his side. “If you were Farah, I would not request permission to hug you, but I know we are still getting to know—”

After a quick glance at Lukas that read aw, he’s so adorable, Dale hugged her father-in-law with an affection that seemed to grow more and more apparent every day. Thank God she’d never seen him at the hangar with those who’d crossed them.

“You’re a very sweet man,” she said. “If you ever need a hug and I’m handy, you let me know, okay?” She kissed his cheek before going to step back.

She was stopped when his father took her hands. “You must forgive what I am about to ask you, but please do not refuse me.” Before Dale could say anything, he added, “You cannot tell anyone you are pregnant.”

When Lukas’s fears were confirmed, he almost groaned. Seriously? Was his father really going to foist these outdated Russian traditions on Dale? Traditions that revolved around keeping such a blessing under wraps just so some imaginary evil spirits wouldn’t learn of the coming baby and try to harm it? He bit back a curse. “Papa, we live in—”

“I know where we live, Lukas,” he said impatiently, “and so do…others. I will not put your child or its mother in jeopardy when such simple measures can be taken to prevent it.”

When Lukas went to argue, Dale put a hand up to stop him. “It’s okay. I understand. It’s why I didn’t put a name on the announcement even though I’m pretty sure, uh, anyway. I won’t say, um, okay,” she laughed, “this is hard. What am I allowed to talk about? And can I really not buy anything? Because I’ve been waiting for this for what feels like my whole life, and when I read that I’m not allowed to prepare, well, I have to admit I cried.”

His father’s face fell. “I am sorry, rybka. Our customs…”

Dale put her hand on his arm. “Are wonderful. Really. Don’t apologize. I wasn’t complaining. Just…griping a little. So, tell me if I have it right.” She started ticking things off her fingers. “Lukas isn’t expected to be very involved in…the entire process.”

Lukas wasn’t sure what caused him to stiffen. Hearing the bullshit expectation she’d just voiced? Or the flash of guilt that had whipped through her eyes as though she didn’t like the fact that she was pregnant with their first child and was afraid to say the goddamn words.

“I shouldn’t hide away in the pantry and stuff my face with chocolate or oranges because the…uh, fearfulness might be passed along…? Right?”

Lukas shook his head when he saw how careful she was being as she went through the superstitions he’d heard all his life. And that need to please in her eyes as she looked at his father who was smiling with encouragement, seemingly thrilled Dale had obviously gone to the trouble to learn about their culture? Yeah. That wasn’t necessary. “Okay. Fuck this. We are—”

“Going to take a day or two to get used to this before making any decisions,” Dale cut in. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed his waist until he looked down at her. “I’m sorry. I should have gotten this straight by now because I’ve been reading up on it all week, but I’m flustered because you’re angry. Don’t be angry.”

He cupped her nape and held her against his neck where she’d kissed him. “I’m not angry at you, yagodka. I’m angry because bringing up these outdated traditions killed my fucking buzz.” He glared at his father, but then felt his anger wane when his wife started laughing.

“Killed your buzz?” She wriggled out of his hold and tipped her head back to knock him for a loop with a dazzling smile and one sexy fucking dimple. “You’re hilarious. What would you know about a buzz? I’ll bet you’ve never had one in your life but by the almighty grape.”

“You forget the one I get every time I find myself between your legs,” he said into her ear.

Her laugh turned self-conscious and, as she blushed furiously, she cupped his face and kissed him. “I love you for that. Now. Let me finish.” She turned but held his arms around her. “I’m not to tell anyone until it’s clear I’m carrying. We can’t announce any names we might consider. I have to stay away from cats and the dogs.” Her bottom lip popped out in a seconds-long pout. “No clothes, toys, or prep of any kind can be made until after the birth. I can’t cut my hair. And once the baby is here, only those who are familiar to us can see her for the first couple of months.” She looked expectantly at his father. “Did I remember them all?”

He nodded, looking proud, and she clapped as if she was happy.

Lukas peered around to see her face. Okay. She looked really fucking happy. “I have to tell Samuel,” he said absently.

His father shook his head. “He’ll figure it out on his own. There is no rule against that. And if he doesn’t, and it becomes obvious on Dale, your brother will understand.”

Dale patted his hands that were now resting across her navel. “Farah will figure it out before Samuel does. That’ll burn him. I can’t wait.” She was practically buzzing in his arms.

“Of course, she will,” his father said with a sad note in his voice. “I hope you won’t mind her involvement later. As she can’t do this herself, she will likely try to live the experience through you.”

Dale shook her head and all but hopped away. When she turned, her hands were clasped under her chin and she was literally glowing. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Eek! I’m so excited!” She came back and nearly strangled Lukas with a hug. “It’s like a game. I grew up with no traditions but the ones I saw on TV. A couple of Christmases went by and we didn’t even get a tree, so this is so much fun!”

Lukas met his father’s eyes over her head and got a why-can’t-you-be-more-like-her look that had him smiling. Maybe following their traditions wouldn’t be such a chore after all.

“Lukas and I can talk about everything, though, right?” she clarified with his father.

“Of course.”

“Goody.” After blowing his father a kiss, she dragged her willing husband out of the room and up the stairs.

But when they reached the sanctity of their bedroom, and Lukas tried to keep up with a mouth that motored through plans too quickly for him to retain much, he eventually gave up and stripped the mother-to-be of her hoodie and the bikini.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m no longer comfortable with how tight the fit of that suit is. Circulation is important during pregnancy.”

“Is it,” she drawled with a glint in her eye.

“Yes. Very.”

“So is keeping a pregnant woman happy.”

He gently put her away from him before shedding his clothes in under ten seconds. “Looks like I have my work cut out for me.”

She giggled. “Not really. Pleasing me seems to come pretty naturally to you.”

He then did just that by loving her with his hands, mouth, and a few reverent words. When he saw her thighs trembling, he hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her leg up with a hand behind her knee. Then he sealed her back to the wall and entered her. Perfect fit.

“You were ready,” he said as he sucked at her bottom lip.

“From the minute I saw you.”

They locked eyes. “Liar.”

He lost contact when she dropped her head back because he’d started moving. “Okay.” She pulled her other leg up and wrapped them around his waist. Her arms came around to cradle his head. “It took me a minute to come around, but I’m yours now.”

“You’re both mine.”

She moaned. “God, yes. Forever.”

Wasn’t quite long enough for him, he thought as he brought her across the room and fell onto the bed.

Rather than allowing him to dominate by keeping her beneath him, his sweet but sharp little berry got him onto his back and settled into her favorite place.

Atop her throne where his regal queen was always meant to be.

 

 

The End