Page 104 of Mile High Daddy

She sits up, running a hand through her hair before reaching for the tea. “Do you cook often, or is this just to impress me?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I tease, settling on the edge of the bed, watching as she takes a sip. After a moment, I ask, “Do you have morning sickness?”

She exhales, shaking her head. “It got bad in the second trimester, but I’m okay now.”

I watch her closely. “I wish I was here to help you out.”

She stills for a fraction of a second, then sets the tea down carefully. “But would you prefer a life with me here, leaving your empire behind?”

Silence stretches between us.

Because the answer isn’t simple.

I know what she’s asking. If I had found her earlier, if I had a choice—would I have walked away from everything? From the Bratva, from my family, from the war I was raised for?

I don’t answer. Because I don’t know.

And Lila sees right through it.

“Thought so,” she murmurs, looking away.

I don’t like that look on her face—the resignation, the quiet disappointment, like she already knew what I’d say before I even had a chance to say it.

I clear my throat, nodding toward the tray. “Eat.”

She does, taking small bites, and I know the second she realizes—this isn’t just any breakfast. This is exactly what she likes.

She sets down her fork, eyeing me carefully. “How did you know?”

I lean back slightly, resting my forearm on my knee. “I knew everything about you before I found you,” I admit. “Before you even knew my name.”

She freezes, her fingers tightening around the fork. “What do you mean?”

I tilt my head slightly. “Your father brought your proposal to me.”

Lila’s breath catches, and I can see the questions racing through her mind.

I exhale, looking past her for a moment before bringing my gaze back to hers. “It was over a year ago. Your father was looking for an alliance. He came to me with a proposition—marry his daughter, unite our families, strengthen our power.”

She stiffens, her expression unreadable.

“I wasn’t interested at first,” I continue, watching her carefully. “I didn’t trust him. But then he sent me a picture of you.”

Lila swallows hard.

“And suddenly,” I murmur, “I was interested.”

She looks away, shaking her head. “So that’s it? You saw a picture and decided I was yours?”

I lean forward, brushing my fingers along her jaw, forcing her to meet my gaze. “No,kiska. I saw you, and I knew I would have you.”

She shivers slightly, but not from fear.

I smirk. “And now, here you are.”

Her lips press together. “Not by choice.”

I trail my fingers down her neck, resting them lightly over the curve of her belly. “No?”