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I handed it over, and Anika snatched it to her chest like I might change my mind. She dialed from memory, then moved to the center of the room. “Come on, Helen. Please answer.” A click, then she burst out. “Helen, it’s Anika.”

A raspy, older voice drifted out. “Anika? Oh, thank God. Where are you? Nora keeps asking why you aren’t home.”

“Helen, listen to me.” Her voice changed instantly, losing most of its bite but still coming through with crystal clear clarity. “I need you to pack a bag for yourself and for Nora. There are some men coming to pick you both up and bring you to me. Don’t open the door unless they give you Nora’s emergency word. Make them say it before you open the deadbolt.”

“I will, but honey, are you sure you’re okay? This is all highly out of character for you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. You remember the emergency word?”

“Yes. Nora’s napping. Would you like me to wake her? I’m sure she’d love to hear from you herself.”

Anika’s body trembled, her legs attempting to buckle. “I’d love that, but you should probably start packing. I’ll see you both soon.” She ended the call and held out the phone. “I should’ve talked to her, but if I hear her voice, I’ll fall apart, then she’ll be scared. I don’t want her to be scared.”

Kirill caught her when her legs gave way. “What’s the emergency word?”

“Moonbeam.” Her gaze slid to mine, and she tossed the phone in my direction. “Make sure they’re gentle with her. She’s just a little girl.”

“We don’t harm children.” I was insulted she’d even insinuate such a thing but we hadn’t exactly inspired confidence. I nodded toward Maksim and Kirill. “I’ll be in SR.” I didn’t want Anika to know I’d be watching everything from the security room, where live feeds fed onto computer monitors. She’d want to come with me, and I doubted her ability to handle seeing my men rushing her building.

Kirill distracted Anika, and I made my way to the secure room where I sank into my chair and connected to my men’s body cams. What had Anika’s life been like these last five years? Her last few words played on a loop in my mind. Just a little girl. Just a little girl. A four-year-old girl. The timeline fit for Nora to belong to one of us. She could be my daughter.

My front man knocked on Helen’s door, sighed heavily, then said moonbeam in a clear voice while the man behind him chuckled and clapped him on the back, saying something about losing the bet.

I’d have to chat with them about maintaining professionalism in the field. They were my best men, but even they could lose track of danger if they kept goofing around in hallways. I’d had them closing in on Helen’s apartment since the moment we discovered Anika’s address.

The door cracked open, and a wrinkled face appeared. She looked the men over, harrumphed, and stepped back.

Within minutes, one was carrying Nora, the other two small suitcases as they made their way outside with Helen tucked in close. Nora laughed and patted the chest of the man carrying her. The angle of his camera gave me a perfect view of her face, showing off cherub cheeks and ringlet curls. What the hell was this? Nora wasn’t the least bit frightened of them. If anything, she seemed amused and more than willing. Was this because of the emergency word? She trusted them because she knew her mother had sent them?

I packed that question away to evaluate later. My team climbed into the SUV and drove off, my phone lighting up with a text message as they pulled onto the main road. One word flashed on the screen. Secured.

I should go back and tell Anika they were on their way. It would take a few hours. I checked my watch. Almost dawn. Anika would not go another day without her daughter. That brought me some comfort, and I pushed upright, preparing to turn off the surveillance monitors around Anika’s building. A black SUV pulled up and parked at the curb. The sight of it set my nerves on edge even though I didn’t recognize the man behind the wheel. I hesitated, waiting to see what they’d do. The driver’s side door opened, and the man stepped out, holding a picture of Anika in front of his face. Fuck. We’d gotten there in time, but this proved I’d been right to worry. Maksim needed to know about this new development.

8

KIRILL

Anika had been in the garden less than ten minutes and had checked the time on my phone four times. I didn’t point it out because I enjoyed having all my fingers attached. And I loved the feel of her fingers around my wrist, pulling me where she wanted to go. I kept the phone in my hand for that very reason.

A deep sigh cut the air as Anika sat on the low stone wall edging one of the flower beds. She’d dressed in the clothes I’d had brought up to her room, their arrival coinciding with Roman’s return. One look at his face and I’d distracted Anika with the clothes, letting her choose from an assortment until she’d landed on a pair of black leggings, a dark red sweater soft enough to rival Maksim’s robe, and a pair of white sneakers that were probably going to be ruined before breakfast if she kept wandering through the damp grass and mulch around the flowers.

I’d guessed her sizes from memory and been disturbingly pleased with myself when everything fit.

The underwear had nearly gotten me killed.

Apparently presenting her with three different styles of bras and being unnecessarily curious about which she preferred was ‘weird’. Who knew? Good thing I’d been called worse.

“You’re doing it again.” I tapped my toe against hers, and she startled, swinging around to glare at me.

“Doing what?” Her fingers laced together in her lap, twisting and untwisting.

I motioned toward the outer perimeter. “Trying to make her get here faster by glaring at the driveway.”

“I’m not glaring.” Her head pulled to the side, her stare intensifying.

“You are. It’s impressive, actually. I think you frightened one of the gardeners. Poor Mira will never be the same.” I clicked my tongue.

Anika’s mouth twitched, but the almost-smile disappeared in a blink. “Thanks for trying to distract me, but it’s not going to work.” She let out another of those deep sighs. “Roman said they’re safe.”