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“Ok…” I took a couple of slow steps forward, closing the distance but giving him his space. I still didn’t know how he cared to process moments like these, if he wanted me near, or if he wanted to keep his distance. “Where wouldyouprefer to live?”
Shoving his hands in his back pockets, he shrugged. “I don’t know. This place is nice but it’s not you. It’s like we’re borrowing someone else’s apartment.”
“It has better defenses. More space for the kids,” I pointed out, even though I knew exactly what he was referring to. The penthousewasn’tme. It was carefully cultivated for a specific image and that image only represented what I wanted people to see, not who I truly was behind closed doors.
“Yeah, I guess. But you saw where they lived, what they’re used to. They don’t need space.”
“They’re going to want it, especially as they get older. Brianna is almost a teenager already; she’s not going to want Ezra around all of the time.”
His gaze darted to the far side of the room, scanning the space behind me. He looked like he was two seconds away from throwing up, as if it had suddenly dawned on him that I really was talking about forever—for himandhis siblings.
I rushed forward the rest of the way and took his face between my hands, forcing him to meet my eyes. “Everything will be fine. I’m here to help you with whatever the three of you need.”
He pulled himself back from the edge of panic with a grimace. “Just what you wanted for Christmas, right? Your very own Family Starter Kit.”
“It’s exactly what I’ve always wanted,” I replied with a smile, stroking my thumb along his cheekbone. “Until you came along, I didn’t think I’d ever have one. No, it won’t be easy. It will be an adjustment for all of us. But family is everything to me.”
“You say that now, but—”
“Stop. Your first thought is a liar, Marek. Please stop listening to it.”
He exhaled a short breath and nodded. “I’m trying.”
“We’ll make this place a home. Forallof us. We can bring whatever you’d like from the other apartment. We’ll take the children shopping and let them pick out whatever they want. We’ll get them registered for new schools and we’ll be ok. I promise. You don’t have to do it all on your own anymore.”
I caught a glimpse of tears before he hugged me tightly, burying his face in my shoulder.
“I have to go,” I said after a moment, brushing my lips over his forehead.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
I kissed him softly and pulled away, hurrying out of the apartment to make good on yet another promise.
* * *
Now.
As soon as I sent the text to Eduard, I rolled my neck from side to side, each crack giving a fraction of relief.
A minute later, he replied.
Done.
“Let’s go,” I said, gesturing to the house.
The four of us exited Alonzo’s white Navigator and headed up the front steps of the Fosters’ residence, reminiscent of so many of our nocturnal visits. Except people least expected their sins to catch up with them in broad daylight.
Maxim kicked the door open in one motion and we poured inside, pistols drawn, splitting off in pairs to grab our targets.
Ken and his poor wife were in the living room when Maxim and I found them.
“Who the fuck—you!” Ken got to his feet, his face twisted in rage. “I know who you are! You’re a fucking dead man! You and Sergei both!”
Instead of replying, I slammed the butt of my gun against his temple.
Behind me, Robin screamed. She screamed again when Maxim hauled her out of her chair by her arm and forced her to the floor next to her husband. She tried to wipe the blood from his head but he swatted her hands away and forced himself into a sitting position, glaring at me.
