Page 90 of Innocent Bratva Twins

I laugh. “I know, but it turns out I never wanted to be here in the first place.” He nods, even though his expression tells me he has no idea what I meant.

Nico’s call two nights ago has made me miss him a hundred times more. It made me feel so much more lonely.

Then, when he told me he was assigning a bodyguard, I was happy because I’d have someone around, just company—but this isn’t what I want. I want someone Ilovenear me. Someone genuine and real, and comfortable.

What’s even worse is that it’s not only Nico I’m missing—it’s his entire family. Jade, Aly—

I’d even be happy if Luka rocked up for dinner.

I could talk to Yilian or Ark for an hour, and it would lift my mood. His brothers—his family—they were so warm and friendly. It was surprising how quickly they accepted me and made me feel like one of them.

I missallof them.

I walk back to the car with the bodyguard, and he pulls open the back door for me so that I can climb in.

I settle down on the seat and pull my phone out, wondering if I should call him.

It’s risky.

I flick through old messages he’s sent me, the weight of his absence growing worse.

When my phone rings, I drop it in my lap in fright. The scramble to pick it up again.

Jade.

It’s like she was inside my head, knowing I was missing everyone.

“Hi,” I say into the phone, pressing it against my ear.

“Hey girl.” The chorus of two voices sings into the phone.

“Aly, Jade—“ I laugh.

“What are you doing? We miss you.” Aly says.

“We asked Nico the other night if we could take you to dinner, and he just saidsoon. What does that even mean?” Jade huffs.

“He gave me a bodyguard,” I tell them. “So, maybe he’ll be ok with me meeting you guys if the bodyguard tags along.”

“Oh my word, we are so used to having bodyguards around. Eventually, you don’t even notice them.” Aly giggles. “I’m going to call Nico tonight and get him to book us somewhere fancy for a girls' dinner.”

“I can’t wait.” I’m smiling from ear to ear as we chat about what they’ve been doing, and the new coat Aly got, and how Jade got annoyed with Rad, but he got home with a massive bunch of flowers and said sorry, so they made up. Listening to them is like having someone flood hope into my heart. My body is getting lighter by the second, and the weight of my pain is less intense.

I cup my hand over my tummy and smile. I want this little baby to grow up in a family filled with love. Love like the love I can feel pouring through the phone while I talk to Aly and Jade.

The phone call lasts the entire drive home, and we are laughing the whole way.

By the time I climb out of the car, my entire mood has shifted.

I’m smiling for the first time in what seems like forever.

Early the next morning, the bodyguard walks me to the door of the doctor’s office. “I’ll be right outside, waiting in the car.” He reassures me.

“Thanks,” I say, grateful that he didn’t try and come into the appointment with me.

It’s the first scan I’m having. At the hospital, the doctor did a blood test to find out I was pregnant, but this morning I am apparently going to be able to see the little peanut growing inside me.

I’m way more excited than I expected to be. I thought I’d be nervous.