Page 124 of Bratva Brother’s Bride

She nods and takes my hand.

I lead her back down the hallway, her hand in mine. The morning light streams through the windows.

In the bedroom, I turn her to face me. Her eyes are wide, trusting. I bend down to kiss the corner of her lips, tasting coffee again.

“You’re beautiful,” I say. “Do you know that?”

“Roman—”

“No, let me say this.” I trace the line of her jaw, the curve of her throat. “I’ve seen you angry and defiant and terrified, but I’ve never seen you like this. Peaceful.”

Tears well in her eyes and I kiss them away before they can fall.

“Hey now,” I murmur into her hair. “None of that.”

“I’m just happy,” she whispers. “I didn’t think I’d ever be this happy.”

“Me neither.”

I kiss her again, slow and deep. When I nip at her bottom lip, she laughs.

When I pull back this time, my eyes catch on the slight curve of her stomach. It’s subtle, something no one else would notice, but I do. I notice everything about her.

“You’re changing,” I say, my hand moving to rest on her belly. “Right here.”

Her breath hitches. “I am?”

“Mmm.” I lean down and press a kiss to the spot just below her navel. “It’ll be a while until you’re really showing, but I can see the difference.”

Tears fill her eyes again, but this time they’re happy tears. She smiles, and it lights up her whole face.

“I feel different. Fuller.”

“You’re beautiful,” I say again. “You’re going to be even more beautiful.”

Her smile widens. “You keep saying that.”

The smile lingers for a moment before she looks down at her hands. Vera falls quiet, and after a long pause, she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

“I need to tell you something,” she says. “I still need a doctor to confirm it, but...”

“But?”

“For every woman in my family, early-onset morning sickness has always meant twins.”

My eyes widen. The air rushes out of my lungs like I’ve been punched. “Twins,” I repeat. “You think you’re having twins?”

She shifts, averting her gaze. “I think it’s possible.”

I stare at her. My mind races, trying to make room for the image. Two heartbeats. Two tiny bodies. Two pieces of her and me.

Something fierce and overwhelming expands inside my chest.

“Roman?” Her voice is hesitant. “Are you okay?”

Instead of answering, I surge up and kiss her. There are no words for what’s moving through me, and suddenly I need her close enough that there’s no space left between us.

I pull back just long enough to strip off my shirt, then I’m kissing her again, my hands roaming her body. I want to touch every part of her, memorize every curve and hollow of this incredible body.