AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hi, Sophie. I’m Ana.” She narrows her eyes at me, signaling that’s the name she wants to be called.
Smart, protecting my daughter, who can say the name Stasia to who the hell knows, sending an army to my front door.
But I only think of her as Stasia, the missing Bratva princess.
Maybe if I see her as Ana Michaels, a woman who escaped her father’s cruelty, like I left my family behind, I’ll feel differently about her.
“Hi,” Sophie squeaks cautiously. “Whoa… Are you having a baby?”
“I sure am.” Ana smiles at me.
I quickly shake my head, hoping she doesn’t mention Cormac.
“That’s why I’m here, Sophie. I’m a friend of your dad’s. He helped me out of some trouble. That’s where he was. I’m sorry I took him away from you.”
“Where’s Uncle Cormac?” Sophie scratches her head. “Is he okay, Daddy?”
I now regret telling her about Cormac’s accident. I just had no idea what kind of mess I was walking into.
“Yes, honey. He’s fine. He’s… Still in Las Vegas.”
“Okay.” Sophie shrugs, her eyes turning sad. “Where did Olivia go?”
My anger fires back up.
“Yes, where’s Olivia?” Ana asks.
“She had to quit, Sophie. I’m sorry. I’ll explain more tomorrow.” I crouch in front of my daughter, feeling Ana near me. “Are you hungry? Did you eat?”
“Yeah.” Sophie sounds tired. “Olivia made me macaroni and cheese. She cooked you something and left it in the oven after we made the cupcakes.”
Ana’s stomach growls again, and I realize I have to feed her, too.
“Thank you, honey.” I hug Sophie. “Did you have your bath?”
“Uh huh.” She eyes Ana again.
“Let’s get you into bed.” I take her hand. “We have that party tomorrow.”
My brain scrambles as I consider if I should leave Ana alone in the house, where she can escape.
Or do I bring her out in public where she can make a scene and take off? Take advantage of me having Sophie, knowing I can’t chase her. Or that I won’t do anything irrational in front of my daughter.
“Go right through there.” I point to the kitchen, looking at Ana. “Take the dinner that’s in the oven for me. I’m going to get Sophie settled. Then you and I will talk.”
“What about you? Aren’t you hungry?”
“I had a big lunch.” My stomach is in utter knots.
“Your house is beautiful,” Ana says, glancing around.
“Thank you. And it’s safe.”
I get close to her, my skin tingling from the memory of seeing her naked and how primal it felt to touch her.
“This is the best place for you, Ana.”
She closes her eyes and nods.
