Ruthless Mafia King: A Dark Bratva Arranged Marriage Romance
Ruthless Mafia King: Chapter 31

“Something’s wrong with Katarina,” Olga informs me the moment I walk into the house.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s sick,” she explains. “She’s worryingly pale. Maybe we should call a doctor.”

“Let me go see her first,” I say. “Where is she?”

“Upstairs.”

I nod my thanks to my faithful housekeeper before sprinting upstairs, jumping two steps at a time to get to Katarina faster. When I last saw her in the morning, she seemed fine.

When I get to the bedroom, I hear her crying.

“Serdtse? What’s going on?” I ask, coming to her side.

Her teary eyes rise to meet my gaze. “I’m pregnant, Nik.”

“You’re joking?” I chuckle, trying to find some humor to brighten the mood. Surely, she wouldn’t say it so directly without at least some preamble.

“The positive test is on the sink,” she hisses. “Go and see for yourself.”

“This is good, Kata.” I approach her, the news slowly sinking in. “It’s going to be okay,” I try to reassure her, seeing how distressed she is.

There’s a slight twitch of her mouth. “It’s going to be okay for you,” she bites back. “I’m way too young.”

“We’re getting married soon anyway,” I say, going through the schedule in my head. “It’s a bit quick, sure, but you’ll have all the support you need.”

“You want to keep the baby,” she breathes, her eyes wide.

“Of course. You don’t?”

I’m perplexed. She must have known that children were part of the deal.

“I’m way too young,” she says, studying my face.

“That’s okay,” I tell her, sitting next to her. “I want this baby. I want us to be a family.”

“It won’t be easy,” she insists, her brow furrowing.

I smile and shake my head. “No, it won’t be, but we’ll do it together.”

“What about my job?” she protests, running her hand through her hair.

“You are not going back to your job anyway. You’re starting a business, remember? The funding you need to build your own record label is there. You can start now or after you’ve had the baby. It’s up to you.”

This actually brings a smile to her face. Katarina laces her hand through mine and rests her head against my shoulder.

“You sound like you’re ready to be a father, big guy.” She sighs, her voice turning warmer and calmer.

I think it over and find that I’m already dreaming of holding our baby, of cuddling and reading stories to them, watching them grow . . .

“Yes,” I say. “I know it’s early for you. But do you see yourself being a mother?”

Katarina lifts her head and stares at me, her green eyes deep and profound. “This wasn’t how I imagined my life would unfold. I’m still at the drinking and partying stage.”

“Good things can come at odd times,” I point out.

“Maybe that’s true,” she agrees with a smirk. “Though you have to admit this is easier on you than it is on me. You’re thirty-two, and I just turned twenty-one a few months ago.”

“I know, serdtse,” I whisper. “I’m sorry we weren’t smart about it. I wish I could give you a couple more years before putting you in this position. But we’re here now. It’s your body, making this your call. But I just want you to know that whatever you decide, I’ll be here every step of the way. I’ll be a good father and a good husband to you. And if you want to end the pregnancy, I’ll also support you. I’ll hold your hand through the procedure and be by your side while you heal. In a few years, when you’re ready, we’ll do it again.”

Katarina jumps to her feet and scurries to the bathroom.

The sound of vomiting comes through the door.

After she washes her hands and comes out, she shakes her head and stares at me, disbelieving.

“Looks like we’re having a baby,” she announces.

“Oh yeah?”

A small smile forms on her lips, but she doesn’t reply. Instead, she does the only thing that’s going to make this situation easier—she walks up to me and climbs into my lap. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

“I promise I won’t let you down, serdtse,” I whisper into her ear, meaning every word. “I’ll love you and our baby with my entire being.”

“Then that’s all I need to know,” she murmurs.

As she sits with me, her legs wrapped around my waist, her chest pressed against mine, I feel a connection grow between us. It’s no longer this weak, ethereal tie that comes with basic physical attraction and proximity. We created a human life. Someone we have to look after and protect, nurture and love.

Katarina and I are bound for life now. We’re connected in a way I never thought possible. Or at least not for several years to come.

It should frighten me, but the sense of bonding somehow fills the emptiness that was created when I lost the people who meant the world to me. Though I’ll always have a hole in my heart because of it, having Katarina by my side dulls the sharp edges that were taking over my life.

I never dreamed of finding love again. It was far too painful a feeling to have gone through it. But as I nuzzle her hair and inhale the floral scent of her shampoo, I know that I can no longer run away from the love my body craves. Even if I tried, I’d fail miserably because this woman has captured me in ways that no one will ever understand. As long as we’re together, everything will be alright.

A long silence ensues as we sit together. It isn’t awkward and doesn’t seem to last forever.

“What now?” she asks, breaking the reverie.

“I’ll make some calls to get you the best obstetrician in New York City,” I tell her. “Then we’ll talk about the wedding and how you want to have it. We should also look into real estate. While I like this brownstone, you should have a chance to pick and decorate your dream home. Maybe you’d prefer to live in Tribeca or the Upper East Side? Or maybe Westchester? “

She gives me an amused smile. “Let me think about it.”

As long as Katarina is happy, I don’t care where we live. Ever since she arrived, my life has undergone a remarkable change. No longer is it empty. Now I’m looking forward to what tomorrow brings me.

“Thank you, Nik,” she says, and rests her head against my shoulder. “For everything.”

“Always,” I reply. “Do you feel up to eating something light?”

She shakes her head. “Not yet. I still feel rather sick. But I’d love to curl up on the couch and put on a cheesy movie. I need something easy and funny to get me through this.”

“I’ve never been one for romantic comedies,” I muse. “But for you, I’ll give it a go.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re more into dark romance,” she teases. “By the way, did you read the books you gave me?”

“Nope, I got the summary off the internet,” I admit.

“That’s so stupid.”

“So are we,” I point out. “Nevertheless, we’re going to make this work. You have my word.”

She smiles. “I know, Nik. That’s why I said yes.”

With a smile, I lead her downstairs, make her comfortable on the couch, and put on The Proposal. As I lie beside her, playing with her hair, I realize I can’t go back to the dark and empty place I was in until a few days ago. She’s brought a new kind of peace that I never thought possible. I’ll always belong to Katarina. And she belongs to me, and the evil demon she tamed inside me.

I close my eyes and silently thank my mother for sending me an angel. In my head, I give a grateful smile to Ivana, the love of my life, for allowing me to open my heart again. I’ll protect this woman and treat her with the respect she deserves.

She’s given me a precious gift, and with all my heart and soul, I plan on returning it a thousand times.