Page 168 of Cruel Juliet

He tilts his head, amused. “Yeah? And you know this how?”

“Because I just do.” I shrug. “I knew Lilia was a girl right away, and I was right. I just… feel it. This one’s different.”

Petyr’s smile softens. “Then I’ll trust your instincts.” He brushes a thumb across my cheek.

“Does that make you happy?” I ask, heart in my throat. “Having a boy?”

“It does,” he says. “But I’d be just as happy with another girl.”

My throat tightens. “You mean that?”

“Of course.” His voice is firm, certain. “As long as they have you for a mother, either one will be perfect.”

I lean into him. My heart is overflowing. “I love you.” It comes out easy. “So much.”

Petyr tucks me into his chest. I can hear the steady beat of his heart, the strongthump-thump-thumpI’ve been falling asleep to for two years’ worth of nights.

“That’s my line.” He kisses the top of my head. “I love you, little fox. Thank you for everything you’ve given me.”

That’smyline,I want to say, but don’t. There’s no need. We both know how we feel about each other.

I never wanted a Bratva husband. After the way I was brought up, the mere idea was the stuff of nightmares for me.

But I can’t imagine another life that would make me this happy.

Petyr’s it for me.

Always has been.

Always will be.