AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Because that requires trust, Emma. He let you in. He let you in far past his own personal boundaries of comfort and now, he’s trying to overcompensate for that by kicking you all the way the fuck out.”
“Sounds like I’m not the only one who needs a therapist.”
Kirill shrugs. “That might be true of all of us.”
I eye him warily, wondering just how much I can trust him. It’s not as though I have much of a choice, though. Trustworthy allies aren’t exactly forming a line at my door.
“Kirill, you heard most of that conversation, right?” He nods, so I add, “Well, then you understand why I have to leave—”
“Leaving is not an option. I understand things are heating up with Ben, but Ruslan and I can handle that.”
I frown. “You can ‘handle’ that? Kirill, Ben’s being interviewed by CNN. Morning shows and shit. The man’s crying wolf about his missing children all over the news.”
“Like I said, I’ll handle it. You don’t have to worry about Ben.” He stands, straightens his cuffs, and walks over to me with a palm outstretched. “But for right now, it’s important that you’re not contactable.”
I stare at the open palm he’s offering me. “Are you asking for my hand? Because we really don’t know each other that well.”
He cracks a momentary smile. “Your phone, Emma.”
I back away from him in horror. “No.”
“Do you really wanna deal with Ben right now? Or your parents? Or more reporters?”
“Fuck me,” I mutter. “You really know how to make a compelling case, don’t you?” Reluctantly, I deposit my phone in his hand.
“I’ll get you a new phone and a new number. Also, I wanted to let you know that I’ll be monitoring the security cameras inside the penthouse.”
I look around. “There are security camerasinsidehere? That feels a bit invasive.”
“They’re not in any of the bedrooms or bathrooms. Just the common living spaces. Don’t worry, Ruslan’s in no danger of hearing that conversation you just had with your friend.”
“Funnily enough, that doesn’t make me feel a whole lot better.”
That’s not quite true, though. One thing is making me feel better: that maybe I’m notcompletelyalone. I have the kids. I have Phoebe. Maybe I have Kirill on my side, too.
“Kirill?” I blurt. “Why are you helping me?”
A shadow falls over his face so I can’t quite read his expression. “It seems like you could use a little help,” he says carefully.
Amen to that.
“I know that’s what you want me to believe, but I know Ruslan will always be your first priority.”
He doesn’t deny it. “Perhaps. But that baby in your belly is my second. You’re carrying the futurepahkanof the Oryolov Bratva. That means you are my priority, too.”
I frown. I’m not sure how I feel about any of that but I can’t afford to turn my nose up at a possible ally. Even if that alliance only lasts the duration of my pregnancy.
At this point, I’ll take what I can get.
11
EMMA
That evening, I get a thick brown envelope addressed to me from Kirill. It contains my new phone, a slip of paper with several numbers on it, a restraining order against Ben, and the most important thing of all: official court documents granting me temporary physical and legal custody of all three children.
There’s a handwritten note, too.I’ve spoken to a cop that we work with closely. He can make the missing persons reports go away. We’re gonna work on proving that Ben is an unfit guardian. Until then, you’ve got custody of the kids. –Kirill.
I’m reading through the note for the fourth time when the kids tumble into the kitchen clamoring for dinner.
