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And it infuriated me that Viktor took Lottie and put that look of terror on her face. That he snatched her before we'd put heavier security on her.
It felt like I had failed both her and Andrei.
"I'm so sorry, Lottie." I reached out and played with a strand of her hair. I wanted to do much more than that, but I settled for the easy touch.
"Please stop saying sorry." She leaned back and caught the look of Andrei, blanketing him with the same statement. "It's over, and I feel like he won't be able to get near me with the guys that will be hovering by the time I wake up in the morning."
"By the time we're even home," Andrei growled in agreement. "I won't let anyone touch you again."
Lottie sighed. It was a deep, shuddering exhale as all of her fight left in that instant. Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t have the energy to argue with you.”
I laid my hand on her back, rubbing up and down. She may be in Andrei’s arms, but I needed the reminder that she was here with us.
It had only been two hours at most, but it felt like it had taken years off my life.
“We can talk more about security tomorrow.” I pressed my lips to her temple. “I won’t let Andrei get too out of control.”
Hardened caramel eyes cut over to me and his jaw hardened. I knew what he was thinking already. Yeah, right.
But I knew Lottie would never want an army around her.
I couldn’t stifle her. Once Andrei calmed down and reasoned, he’d realize it as well.
Lottie needed room to spread her wings.
This thing with Viktor couldn’t change us so severely that we lost sight of our girl and what she needed and wanted.
We had to support her, not clip her wings so she plummeted to the ground before she even got to fly.
The car ride was filled with thick, silent tension that made breathing difficult.
I kept my hand on Lottie’s back. Her eyes fluttered shut, and eventually, her breathing evened out.
“This can never happen again,” Andrei whispered. “I don’t think I’d survive if anything happened to her.”
I knew in my heart I felt the same way. She had brought light, laughter, and love into our lives.
If something happened or she left us, all that would go with her. We'd be back in the darkness, just going through the motions. It wouldn't be living. It would be existing.
“But we can’t take away her freedom in the name of protecting her,” Colby replied, taking the words right out of my mouth.
“I know, but I can’t let him retake her. He’ll try it. I know him. He’ll do whatever it takes until I do what he wants.” Andrei’s jaw clenched as he gazed out the window.
“What did he want?” I asked, trying to figure out more of what was going through his head.
“He said just to talk, but it’s more than that, I fucking know it.”
“What about asking your grandma what he wants?” Asking too many questions could lead to Andrei shutting downcompletely, but I wouldn't let him get away with silence for the rest of the car ride.
Andrei leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “She knows our issues, but I can’t be sure if she’d tell me. I think she wants us to start talking again.”
The somber mood in the car intensified as we pulled into my driveway.
“You both staying here tonight?” I was almost positive I already knew the answer to my question, but I needed to double-check.
Oscar pulled into the garage and turned off the car.
“Yeah, I don’t want to leave her,” Andrei said quietly as he looked down at our girl.
