Page 164 of Nine Months to Love

“No. God, no. I’m not disappointed.” He looks up at me. “I’m just... I don’t know how to do this.”

“Do what?”

“Raise a girl. Protect her. Keep her safe in a world that’s so fucking dangerous.”

I slide off the table and take his face in my hands. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

“What if I screw it up?”

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. Because I know you. And I know you’ll do everything in your power to give her a good life.”

He pulls me close and buries his face in my neck. “I love you,” he whispers.

“I love you, too.” I laugh and take his hand. “Come on. Let’s go home.”

We walk out of the office and into the parking lot. The sun is setting and the world is gilded. Stefan opens the car door for me and I slide into the passenger seat.

As he drives, I watch the city pass by. The buildings, the people, the endless traffic. This is the world our daughter will grow up in. This chaotic, beautiful, terrifying world.

And I need to make it safer for her.

I need to end the war between Stefan and his mother. To stop the violence before it touches our family again.

My mind is made up. I’ll meet with Natalia. I’ll listen to what she has to say. And I’ll find a way to make peace.

For Elena.

For Stefan.

For our daughter.

I have to.

46

STEFAN

On the way out of the OBGYN appointment, Olivia decides she wants to go stop by Elena again for a little while. She says she wants to be there when the doctors make their evening rounds. I reluctantly agree, though only after extracting the promise that she doesn’t leave the room and the guards keep eyes on her at all times.

I drop her at the hospital entrance and watch her disappear through the sliding doors. I’d love to join her. Babushka loves her company, and frankly, so do I.

But there are things I need to handle at the manor. Things that can’t wait any longer.

The drive back is quiet. Just me, the hum of the engine, and the weight of the ultrasound photo in my jacket pocket.

A daughter. We’re having a daughter.

The fear of what that means is lodged deep inside me. A harsh, nasty voice whispering that my world is not safe enough for an innocent little girl. But beneath it pulses something darker,hungrier. A beast with her name carved into its bones, ready to paint the skies with ash and bathe in the blood of anyone who dares threaten what’s mine.

I pull through the gates of the manor and park in the circular drive. The house looms ahead, dark and imposing against the evening sky. Workers are still installing the new security system. I can see lights on in the west wing where they’re running cables.

Taras is waiting in the foyer when I walk in. He’s got his phone pressed to his ear and a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Yeah, I’ll call you back,” he barks into the phone. Then he hangs up and pockets it. “Yo, Stef. How’s Elena?”