CHAOS (Beneath The Secrets Book 1)

I can’t believe it.

I’m going to be a dad again. And, this time, I’ll be there for all of it.

I get to see Sofia growing my baby. Fuck, it’s going to be perfect.

I can’t wait to look after her, to spoil her.

Grow our family.

We walk hand in hand back to the party, a house filled with our friends.

“She needs a little nap, then tell Alexei we can do the cake.” Sofia drops a kiss on my cheek. I tug her wrist before she can leave and kiss her properly.

Frankie lands a hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done good here, Jax. We’re all proud of you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

With a chuckle, he gives me a friendly slap on the back of my head. “Enough of that.”

Just like old times.

I look over and notice Nikolai gripping his glass of vodka so tightly that it seems on the verge of shattering

“I’ll be back in a sec.” I tell Frankie and head over to Nik in the corner on his own, vacantly watching on as the party continues.

“You okay?” I ask, taking a seat next to him.

He pours me a glass and slides it over.

“Fine.” He clicks his ring against the table. “What’s got that grin on your face?” he asks.

“Sofia is pregnant.”

“Congratulations.” With a smile, he raises his glass to me before downing the contents.

I look at his wedding ring. He rarely wears it, and I never question him about it. We all deal with grief differently.

“You ever thought about finding someone again?” I ask, already regretting the question when his face morphs into fury.

“No.”

I wonder what my sister was like to put up with his grumpy ass. Can’t be many people in the world to do that.

His face softens and I follow his line of sight to his daughter playing with Lara.

“What was she like? My sister?”

He stiffens before resting an arm on the chair next to him.

“Katerina. She was funny, like you. She could even make Mikhail crack a smile.”

“So, the opposite of you?”

He raises one eyebrow and nods.

“Yes. Probably in every way. She was kind. She was an incredible mother. She saw beauty in even the ugliest places. She deserved better.”

I’m sad for him. Bringing up his little girl on his own. No wonder he is the way he is. If I lost Sofia, I don’t know how I would cope.

The thought makes me click my rings against my glass. “So, when are we getting revenge?”

He looks up and his jaw clenches. “Soon. Let’s see where these diamonds take us.”

I quickly sit upright, my senses heighten as I notice Mikhail making a beeline towards us.

“We need to go.” He squeezes his tattooed hand on Nikolai’s shoulder, who stiffens.

He shoves his phone in front of Nikolai’s face.

Nikolai’s eyes widen as he watches whatever footage is on there. “That’s interesting. Know who she is?”

She?

“That’s where you, Lara and the donkey come in.”

“You need me?” I ask, hoping he says no. I don’t want to leave my daughter’s party.

As Mikhail shakes his head, his intense, dark eyes lock onto mine.

Oh, he’s pissed. I’ll keep my mouth shut.

“Today is family day for you, Jax. You’re good to stay here.” Nikolai orders as he stands, shrugging on his leather jacket and nods to Lara and Alexei, pointing towards the door. The three siblings, and their crazed donkey, storming out of the door, like they’re ready to take on the world.

Sofia comes over to join me, sitting herself on my lap. My arm snakes around her waist as I protectively stroke her flat belly.

“Where did they rush off to?” she asks, leaning her head back against my shoulder.

The sight of her full lips is impossible for me to resist.

Mine.

My beautiful wife.

“Work, I’ve got the day off. I’m sure I’ll find out tomorrow.”

“I’ve got you all day, huh?”

As I kiss her again, a mischievous grin dances across her mouth.

“And night,” I whisper in her ear and feel her shiver under my touch.

The chaos can wait for another day, because right now, I am exactly where I need to be.

Home.