Wrong Number. Right Don (Sinful Mafia Daddies)

by Natasha L. Black

I seem to recall her saying she always wanted girls.”

“That sounds exactly right.” He laughs, deep and rich. “She keeps us humble, that’s for sure. She clearly likes you. Sergei said you were exactly what we needed.”

“We’re a close bunch. You’ll probably see them around a lot, but nothing to worry about.”

“Family is important.”

“It’s everything,” he...

The gravity in his tone feels like a warning, as if he’s daring me to...

I turn to see Sergei walking down the stone path, his eyes locked on Sasha first, then flicking to me. There is something unreadable in his expression, but his posture relaxes slightly when our eyes meet.

“She still plants new flowers every spring herself,” he adds, gesturing to the bright flower beds around us. “She says it helps keep the tradition alive.”

I can’t help the way my thoughts spiral. As lovely and comfortable as this home is, there’s something about the group that unsettles me. I watch as they all stub out their cigars and head back into the house.

returns with a bottle of wine, which I politely decline. Sergei watches me curiously.

“She’d probably lock herself in the wine cellar for a few days and wreak havoc on your collection.”

“I met her on my very first shift at the hospital. I was having a bit of a meltdown in a supply closet, and she brought me tissues and told me that crying on the first day was basically an initiation ritual. We’ve been best friends ever since.”

But she will kill you if you hurt me.”

“Have you ever thought of working for a private practice? Or working at a more lucrative hospital?” he asks.

“I wondered where you got it from,”

“She’s my whole world,”

“My whole family is, really, but as the matriarch, she’s the most important. I watched her sacrifice her own dreams for years to raise Sasha and me.”

“They’re more trouble than they’re worth.”

“When he was first born, I kept telling my parents to take him back to whatever store they bought him from.”

“You get to this age and realize that you can’t take anyone for granted, even annoying little brothers. After our father died, we became especially close.”

She used to tell me the roses bloomed brighter under a full moon.”

“I’ve never thought to check. I always just believed whatever she told me.”

That makes me smile, and I imagine Sergei as a little boy, following his mother around and hanging on her every word.

Will my baby be the same? Will he or she believe everything I say, or will they be stubborn and defiant? Another breeze passes and I shiver, though it’s more to d...

“Nicole,” he whispers. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since that night.”

“Sergei!” Sasha’s sharp voice instantly shatters our moment. We spring apart as Sasha’s footsteps thunder closer.

Sergei turns back and mouths a quick “sorry.” I shrug and lean against the trellis, watching him go.

“By the way, I’m really sorry about ruining your night. Shitty timing.”

“Come on, man,” he drawls. “Don’t give me that look. I’m your brother. You’ve been different lately.”

“Softer. Distracted. Whipped, maybe?”

“No, but you do.” He points at me, grinning. “And her name is Nicole.”

“Admit it,” Sasha pushes. “You’ve got it bad for Nurse Nicole.”

“Are you going to deny it? That woman has you twisted in knots, big brother. And honestly, it’s about time.”

“You mean she wasn’t part of the plan? Welcome to life, Sergei. Shit happens.”

“Because of the things I’ve done and the things I’ll probably have to keep doing.”

“she’s living in your house, and she’s taking care of Mom. It won’t stay a secret for long. One way or another, she’s probably going to find out.”

“Fine, you little shit. I care about her,”

“Holy shit. You’re in love with her!”

“Don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you.”

“When she finds out what I do, she’ll probably run for the hills.”

“I just don’t want to hand her a reason to run,”

“If she’s the right one, nothing you say will scare her off.” His words carry more wisdom than I’ve ever given him credit for.

What if she’s not a weakness? What if she’s the one thing that makes all of this worth it? Which isn’t to say I’m ready to take that step with her.

Once I tell her who I am, once I show her the darker side of my world, I risk losing her. I’ll keep her close for as long as I can, even if that means I can’t have her in every way I crave.

It’s as if the room is vacuum-sealed, and he’s the only source of oxygen.

“I’m probably going to die without ever having grandchildren,”

“Sergei is far too serious about work for them, and Sasha is the exact opposite. He doesn’t take life seriously enough.”

I only hum, not wanting to hint that I’m carrying her first grandchild. That would be one hell...

“Are all men this age as dense as my boys? Or am...

“Trust me, it’s all men,” I sa...