Page 87 of The Enemy's Defector

“Then it looks like we’re halfway done with going after those responsible,” Nik said. “The Kozlovs are no longer there to worry about.”

“But the Romanos are,” Maxim growled, not pleased about it.

“Relax,” Saul said. “I’ll oversee that problem.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels. “Seeing as you’re all busy getting married and popping out kids…” He gave thehuge pile of boxes a long look. “Or committing to opening all those and setting up nurseries.”

I smiled, knowing my new sisters would help me. They’d already gone through the planning for their babies’ arrivals and they’d be of the most assistance.

It suddenly hit me.

“Oh, my God.”

Everyone looked at me in question.

“There’s going to be babies all over the place. Three at once.”

Nik chuckled. “You’re only now doing that math?” He kissed the top of my head.

“No. I knew it, but seeing all these things puts it into perspective.” Looking around carefully, I raised my brows. “Just think of all the baby-proofing we’ll need to do. Times three!”

“I’m just excited that our children will grow up together,” Lucy said. Damon hugged her until she leaned her back against his chest. “I grew up as an only child.”

“Me too,” I said.

“Me three,” Sloane admitted.

“And this is just the beginning,” Anastasia said, beaming at us all. “Because you’ll constantly want more babies after this.”

I had to laugh at that. We’d been feeding a constant cycle of baby fever.

It was a future I’d prefer over what I once thought the rest of my life would be like—single, on the run, and hoping to survive. Now, I was surrounded by love and family, and I’d never take a single second of it for granted.

36

NIKOLAI

Afew weeks after Katerina and I came home from the little day trip we’d had after she killed Anton, we enjoyed a rare evening at home. No meetings. No unboxing and nursery planning. No doctor appointments or girls’ dinner dates.

It was just the two of us.

At home.

Lying in bed after making love and being lazy with each other.

I wouldn’t trade this for the world. This deep contentment, this real satisfaction of knowing this was where I belonged. Who I needed in my life.

“I’m telling you, it’s just gas.”

I chuckled at Katerina’s insistence.

“You’re caressing my bubble of bloating and gas from dinner,” she quipped.

She wasn’t persuading me from stopping. I stayed right where I was, with the love of my life, caressing her stomach and smiling down at her as she lay next to me.

“This isn’t gas. This is my son or daughter.” I cradled her belly and admired how unbelievably sexy she was like this.

“I’m not showing yet, Nik,” she protested.

“I say you are.” And she was. This was not a little extra cushion after dinner. A small bump was forming where our future grew. She had just passed the first trimester mark, and I couldn’t wait for the appointment with the ultrasound techs.