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"Lottie." The complete and utter despair in her voice had me cursing myself. "Sweetheart, we're not mad. Shh, don't be upset."
Andrei glanced at me over her shoulder, his face screwed up in confusion. "What are you doing over there, Wulf?"
"He didn't do anything." Lottie shook her head and swiped at the stray tear that leaked from the corner of her eye. "I shouldn't have called you meanies. That's my fault. I'm so sorry."
Shit. I'd fucked this up royally. Come'on, Wulf. Get it together.
"Kroshka." Andrei placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Please don't cry. You're breaking our hearts. We are still learning the ins and outs of this relationship. We aren't going to be angry about something small like calling us meanies. If you had called us poopy butt assholes, then maybe we'd have to have a stern conversation, but not this."
Leave it to the quiet one to say everything I wanted to say but was too tongue-tied to spit out.
"Andrei is right." I tilted her face toward me with a palm on her cheek. "I'm sorry I upset you. I was teasing as well. I should realize that I don't have the best tone for sarcasm and be gentler with my words."
I needed to remember Lottie had survived and escaped an abusive relationship. One where words were weapons that wounded her every day and kept her a prisoner. Nothing would be accomplished if she was frightened of us. I needed to be more aware of how I was projecting myself and not use words that could be taken so literally when I was kidding.
And I gave Andrei shit for being an asshole. Instead, I was the one who was in danger of destroying the fragile trust we'd built if I didn't watch my words.
"It's okay." She sniffed and blinked away the rest of the tears. "Like Andrei said, we're still learning about each other every day. You had no ill intentions and neither did I. So all is forgiven."
I pressed my forehead to hers and savored the sensation of her breath mingling with mine. "You're too good for us, littleone. How you can forgive so easily is one of the things I truly love about you."
I noticed Andrei nod out of the corner of my eye, and a satisfied look etched into his features. When I lifted my head, I saw Oscar pulled into the drive-thru. I really needed to give him a bonus. He'd pulled off to the side and waited for us to finish our conversation without anyone having to tell him to do so.
I needed to pay better attention to my surroundings.
Several minutes later, Lottie had her coffee and sipped it happily as we finished the trek to the office. I wasn't keen on letting her out of our sight for the day, but Oscar volunteered to hang around her floor to keep an eye on her.
Lottie still wasn't thrilled with the idea of someone watching her every move, but it was the only way we agreed to let her back in the office.
Her safety was the number one priority right now.
I knew Andrei and I would watch the cameras closely today just to keep ourselves at ease.
"Are we in the office the rest of the week, or should I make sure to bring enough with me to work Thursday and Friday from your place?"
"I'd much rather have you at home where I can keep an eye on you." Andrei ran a hand through his thick hair. "Let's plan home for the rest of the week and then Monday in the office. I know I have some in-person meetings I need to take care of on Monday."
Lottie nodded, accepting his answer. It was the perfect compromise for all of us. "When are you going to call yourbabushka?"
Andrei stilled, his jaw clenching at her question. I could practically see the wheels turning in his mind as he debated his reply. "Let's talk about that tonight when we get home?"
"I'm not going to let you forget or try and distract me." She was a feisty little thing when she wanted to be.
She was the perfect balance for us. Andrei needed the snarkiness to put him in his place and get out of his head. I needed her compassion and forgiving nature. Colby needed her balance of humor and seriousness. Not to mention all her nerdy love for history.
We pulled into the underground garage, and Andrei took Lottie's coffee while I grabbed her bag and she slid out from the middle seat.
Of course, in Andrei's direction, because as she would say, coffee is life.
We rode the elevator up to her floor in comfortable silence. We exited on her floor and followed her to her office.
"This just feels weird," Lottie murmured as she unlocked her office door and swept inside. "It's like I have an entourage."
"You're that important." I drew her into my arms and kissed the top of her head.
"We have to make sure you're protected," Andrei added. "You're the most precious thing in our lives."
Lottie melted against me, sighing. "I get that. Just don't like when everyone stares at me."
