Page 143 of Monstrous Urges

Elsa Guin

My lips are sealed

I roll my eyes.

Me

Fumi.

Me

Final answer

Elsa sends back a gif of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso zipping his mouth shut.

Me

It’s....complicated?

Elsa Guin

Lol, preaching to the choir, lady. Don’t I know it. Are you guys just having fun? Or…?

I flush as I chew on my lip.

Me

Or.

Elsa Guin

YAY!!! That makes me so happy for you!

She sends another picture of me holding Bella.

Elsa Guin

Babies. When.

Me

Lol, down girl

But as I put the phone back down and go to roll my eyes, something stops me. I mean, it’s not like I’ve never thought about the idea of having kids. Especially after I turned thirty.

Thanks, fucking biological clock.

But I had, and still do very much have, my career. More importantly, I never had anyone I could even remotely think of as a life partner or something to raise a family with.

My brows knit.

Do I, now? With Drazen? The brutal Bratva kingpin that other hardened, scary Bratva leaders fear?

The thought simmers in my head as I exhale slowly. I might need a drink if I’m going to continue this line of thinking.

After I text goodbye and another “thanks for having me” to Elsa, I shove down the last of my sandwich. I’m about to text Drazen a teasing cleavage shot with a note about wishing he was here to help me shower to get ready for my photoshoot when the lights go out.

At first, it’s pure fear that I feel exploding through my veins. But then I hear the soft click of the front door, and a man’s steps coming slowly and quietly down the hallway from the foyer into the kitchen.