We leave the doctor’s office hand in hand, and I already feel better knowing Roman is not going to leave me because of this. I don't know if I could ever live without him again.
Just as we get into the car, Roman’s phone starts ringing. I swear, with these men, the chaos never ends.
“It’s Xander,” he tells me, looking at the screen before answering it.
“Hey…” Roman answers casually. “Yeah...hold on.”
He pushes some buttons on the steering wheel, switching the call to hands-free.
“You’re on speaker.”
“So, you asked me to keep you updated on everything that’s happening here at the commune Sophie grew up in. I think you’ll be happy to hear we were able sort everything out. All the men and women who were in on selling the girls are taken care of and we were able to help the women and children left behind. Most of them stayed in their home. I made sure they all have work and can take care of themselves. There were a few children none of them would take in, but we found other families for most of them.”
“Most of them?” I interrupt.
“All accept one pair of siblings. A six-year-old boy and three-year-old girl. None of the women at the community wanted them. We had some families willing to adopt lined up, but when they met the children, they decided not to go through with it. Don’t worry, we’ll find them a home eventually. They are in foster care right now, but I’ll keep an eye on them. Rest assured, I'm not going to let anyone hurt them.”
“Why is it so hard to find someone for them?” Roman asks, taking the words straight from my mouth.
“At the meeting, one of the potential adoptive moms tried to pick up the little girl and the brother stabbed her with a pencil...”
“I want to meet them,” I blurt out without really thinking. Roman glances over at me curiously. I suppose I should've talked to him before just saying something.
“We can arrange that. I’ll call the foster home and set up a meeting.”
“That would be great. Thanks, Xander,” Roman answers before hanging up the phone.
“I probably should have asked you first,” I admit shyly as soon as the call is disconnected. “I don’t know how to explain it, it just feels like the right thing to do. I’m not saying we have to adopt them, but I want to meet them. Maybe I even know them. I must have at least seen them in church.”
“You don’t have to talk me into it, babe. I’m with you. Were a team, no matter what.” Roman grabs my hand.
“Don’t you think it’s odd that Xander calls and tells us about this right now? I feel like it’s a sign.” What are the chances of him calling about two children who need parents the moment we found out I can't have children naturally?
“If this is what you want to do, I’m with you...so long as the kid doesn't try to stab you.” Roman smiles.
“He was probably just scared and trying to protect his sister. Are you really okay with this? I know I kind of threw this on you.”
“Honestly, I didn’t want to say anything right away, but adoption was my next thought. I just didn't want to mention it so soon. I don't want to upset you or push you toward anything. Whatever you want to do, I'm on board.”
I climb across the center console and wrap my arms around his neck, crashing my lips to his with bruising force. I didn’t think it was possible to ever love somebody so much.
“How do I look?” I ask Roman right before he rings the doorbell.
“You look amazing, as always.” He grins. “Calm down. They’re going to love you.”
I've only seen pictures of Luna and Ren. This will be the first time we’re meeting them in person. A middle-aged woman opens the door a moment later and greets us with a big smile. “You must be Sophie and Roman. Come on in.”
We follow her into the living room where toys are scattered across the floor, pillows from the couch, stuffed animals are laid out in a circle, and in the middle of it all are two small children. Luna’s blonde curls are hiding half her toddler face
Their eyes look up at us when we enter the room. Luna looks at me curiously while Ren gives Roman a warning look. You can tell instantly Ren’s protected his sister since day one.
“Don’t come in our castle,” Ren warns us before we even say a word.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Looks like its fortified pretty good...” Roman taps his finger to his lips. Seeing him interact with kids turns me on more than I care to admit.
“Well, except you are missing cover from the top.” Ren and Luna both look up.
“Coincidentally, I’m an excellent fort builder. I would be willing to share some of my secrets with you,” Roman offers.
Ren eyes Roman carefully for a long moment, as if he’s trying to figure out if he can trust him. His apprehension is something I understand. Instantly, I'm in love with both of them.
“Okay,” he finally says, and I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. Luna pushes herself up off the floor and takes a wide step over the mountain of pillows surrounding her. I swallow hard when I realize she’s heading right for me.
“Luna,” Ren calls out, grabbing her hand, stopping her from coming to me. “Stay with me. We don’t know them.”
Luna gives her brother a disapproving look and pulls on his hand. When he doesn't release her, she drags him along with her. He almost stumbles over the pillows, but is able to get his footing. Once Luna reaches me, she stops, a huge smile on her face. Blue eyes almost too large for her face look up at me.
I crouch down so I’m eye level with her, and before I know it, she's throwing her arms around me as if she knows why I’m here. Her small arms are barely able to reach around my neck.
She nuzzles her face into my shoulder, and I almost start crying. It’s almost like she’s been waiting for me.
“My new mommy,” she whispers, peering up at me.
I glance over at Ren, who’s standing next to us, holding onto his sister’s hand. He is looking at me in disbelief, and all I can do is hold out my arm to him, hoping he’ll let me hug him too. It takes him about two seconds to decide, and then he falls forward into my open arms, nestling his head on my other shoulder.
Roman walks over to us, the look in his eyes reflecting my own. My heart has never been so full, so happy. All my time I've wondered what kind of life I would make for myself, and now, here I am, with the love of my life by my side, taking in two children I'm going to raise and love like Luke and I should've been.
“Do you guys want to come home with us?” Roman asks, his voice thick with emotion.
“Yes, we want to come with you,” Ren answers for them both.
And just like that, two became four.
Thank you for reading The Petrov Brothers. If you can’t get enough of Ivan and Roman, don’t worry, they make many appearances in our other books, like Luke’s story Remember Me.
The Rossi Crime Family also played a role in our international bestselling novel Cruel Obsession.
Keep reading for a sneak peek…
Cruel Obsession Sneak Peak