Page 130 of Caged

I nod and rest my head briefly against his bicep.

He’s right, he isn't a child. He towers over me and has dark scruff on his face.

But I’d still kick his ass if I needed to.

“This is a sick place, Nikolai.”

Nikolai raises an eyebrow at me in a silent question, before lacing his fingers through mine.

“Sick means cool, young person talk,” I whisper, hiding my grin.

“Oh. Right. Thank you.”

Daniil and I burst out laughing, even if it hurts every muscle in my body to do so.

Before we reach the door, it flings open, and Elena’s high pitched screams of excitement flood my ears.

My heart flutters seeing that beautiful girl grinning as she darts toward her father.

“Daddy! Daddy!”

She hasn’t even spotted the rest of us yet as Nikolai picks her up in the air and hugs her so tight.

Damn, I really want to cry.

He presses a soft kiss to her forehead.

“I missed you, Daddy. Please don’t go for that long again.”

Fuck.

That is all my fault.

I take a step back and Daniil squeezes my shoulder. I haven’t had long to catch up with him, but he’s so observant, so switched on. He will know exactly what’s happened and how I feel right now.

For so long, it was us against the world, now we have a new family to conquer with.

Nikolai whispers in her ear and the next thing, the brightest smile I’ve ever seen lights up her face as her brown eyes meet mine.

And I am home.

“Melissa!!”

She pushes herself out of her dad’s hold and barrels straight into my legs. Hiding a wince, I drop down to my knees and pull her in for a hug. Happy tears stream down my cheeks.

“Hey beautiful. Did you miss me, too?” I try to hide the croakiness in my voice from her.

“So much! Do you like my dress? Lara took me shopping this morning.”

She gives me a twirl, I can feel Nikolai’s eyes on us.

“It’s gorgeous, Elena. You look like a pretty princess. I love it.”

“I need to tell you something,” I tell her, gesturing for her to come closer.

Her eyes shine as she shuffles forward, back into my arms.

“My real name isn’t Melissa. My real name is Mila.”

---