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“Aunt Phoebe knows.”
“Aunt Phoebe is family.”
“So is Ruslan!”
I can feel the tears gathering in my throat. How do I explain to an eight-year-old that the one man he admires more than any other wants nothing to do with us anymore?
I know Ruslan cares about my kids. I know he cares about Josh. But clearly not enough to give me the benefit of the doubt. Certainly not enough to want to keep me in his life.
“Ruslan’s not family, Josh.” It actually hurts me to say that out loud. “We wish him well. But we have to move on. It’s not safe in New York anymore, not with your father here. Not with… everything else here.”
I catch Josh’s frown from my peripheral vision. “Why do you think they took me?” he asks in a small voice.
My breath hitches up. He deserves some honesty. If he’s mature enough to ask certain questions, then he’s entitled to know certain answers.
“I think it may have something to do with… Ruslan.”
Josh’s frown deepens. “Because they saw us together?”
“I think so.”
He keeps picking at his cuticles like he wants to tear off the nails at the root. “Ruslan’s involved with some dangerous people, isn’t he?”
I nod. “I think so.”
None so dangerous as he is himself. I was a fool not to worry about that.
Josh descends into silence and my phone pings.That’ll be Phoebe’s reply. I wait until we get to a red light to check.
PHOEBE:Don’t worry. I’ll meet you there. I’m actually only two blocks away.
Bless her.
When we pull up to Hell's Kitchen, Phoebe is standing outside the building, leaning against the wall with her leg kicked up. She rushes over as Josh and I get out of the Chevy.
“You guys okay?” she asks. “What happened? Where are the girls?”
“With Ruslan,” I explain, gesturing over to the SUV parked on the opposite side of the street. “I’ll explain everything later. Just play along.”
She nods as Ruslan and Kirill walk the girls over to us.
“Aunt Pheebs!” Reagan rushes into Phoebe’s arms.
“Can Ruslan and Kirill come in?” Caroline asks.
“I’m sure Ruslan and Kirill are very busy, honey,” I say quickly. “Just say thank you and goodbye now, please.”
Caroline and Reagan pout. “Aww, man!”
Phoebe watches both men with eagle eyes. Then, after the girls say their goodbyes, she gently pulls them in the direction of the building, leaving me to talk to Kirill and Ruslan.
“Thank you both.” I address both men but I only make eye contact with Kirill.
Kirill glances at his boss but, when he doesn’t say anything, Kirill takes the initiative. “If you run into any trouble, don’t hesitate to call, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you.”
I chance a quick glance at Ruslan. His jaw is still set in that stubborn square and my stomach flutters with the secret I’m keeping.
