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Sasha screams with joy when he sees us. He’s waiting at the door with Alina and launches himself at his mother so hard I have to buffer her from behind so she doesn’t fall.

“Mama!” Then as she picks him up to cover him in kisses, he peeks up at me. “Daddy? I want a puppy and a kitty.”

My gaze shifts to Alina, who blushes. “It was Kara’s idea to take him to a pet store. We went out for lunch, and he saw the animals for adoption, so she decided to go in.”

Erin groans as I feel my famous stone resolve, crumbling at his ridiculous demand.

“Well…”

Erin turns and narrows her eyes, setting Sasha down. “Hell no. He’s only two. If he wants a pet, I’ll get him a rock.”But her lips twitch as she ruffles his dark hair. “He needs to learn responsibility with a pet.”

“I have staff.”

“Who don’t need another thing to worry about.”

I smile. “It’s their job.”

“You’re not going to win,” Alina mutters, taking Sasha’s hand and leading him off to the kitchen. It’s early enough that he probably hasn’t had a chance to destroy food yet.

I’m not sure if my sister means me or Erin.

“He wants a puppy and a kitten.”

“And last week he wanted a rocket ship and a truck. I think he mentioned a penguin, too.” She sighs. “Point is, sure, the staff’ll have to help out, and you and me, but wait a year or so and he’ll have a better grasp on responsibility. He’s also going to be a big brother.”

I suddenly take her in my arms and kiss her throat, right where I marked her on the weekend. And her soft skin on her chin has some whisker burn I know I should feel bad about, but I don’t. I like it. That physical mark which makes her mine.

“What if he gets jealous?” I ask. “A pet might help with that.”

“No, a pet won’t. We just need to make sure he’s part of it, made to feel he’s still as special as he is.” She laughs. “He’s got the big bad Demyan wrapped tight, hasn’t he? You’re a pushover.”

“He’s our son.”

“And you’d fill this house, turn it into a zoo for him, wouldn’t you?”

“If I said yes, would you hold it against me?” I ask, the teasing note making her smile. “Let’s get some breakfast, see if he’s destroyed the kitchen.”

“I’m just going to have tea and toast in the living room,” she says, hand to her stomach.

Damn morning sickness. I hate I can’t do anything about it, but I call in Olga to get that sorted for her.

“Are you sure things will work?” she asks me as I gather my things so I can get to work.

I look at Erin. “Yes, whatever complicated hoops I need to jump through, I’ve got time. The supposed wedding’s a long way off. And who knows, maybe Stefina will fall for someone.”

“Could that happen?”

I want to lie, say yes and leave it at that, but we’ve turned a page, so I tell her my take on it. “Yeah, but her father’s not going to let her marry someone out of love. I need to find a way out that leaves him his dignity and me my empire and no war. Not if I can help it.”

“Okay. I trust you,” she whispers.

I kiss her softly, then head to my study.

“Got anything?” I ask the moment Ilya picks up his phone.

“Only bits and pieces but nothing to stop a war if you back out. Sergio’s getting antsy. I’m working on a different angle, too.”

My mind ticks. “Like why now with the wedding and what’s his reasoning behind it, other than getting a better standing by marrying into my bratva?”