Page 159 of Caged

Lara pokes Nikolai in the chest. “I’m not done. Why wasn’t I invited? Am I not a close enough family member?” A droplet runs down her cheek. “Am I not good enough?” Her lower lip trembles.

I’ve never seen this side of her.

Nikolai pulls his arm from around my waist to tug her against him. He kisses the top of her head gently. “Don’t be silly. I love you. We didn’t want a big fuss. You know me.”

A horn blows, signaling a line of servers to appear with an oversized cake and tubs of ice cream.

“Time for the birthday boy to blow out his candles!” A clown with an oversized pair of pants calls out before placing the dessert on a long table.

I glance at Nikolai, still hugging Lara and mouth “is she okay?” to him.

He gives me a tiny nod.

Alexei tugs at her arm. “Come on, Lara. Let’s get a snack. It always makes me feel better.”

She steps away from Nikolai, and wipes her eyes. But, when she looks over at the food being set out, her face pales.

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I can’t. I just, well, I need some air.” Turning, she pulls away from his grasp and heads toward the woods.

Alexei watches her, his jaw clenched. “I’m going to get her a slice.” He turns, limping toward the clowns setting out plates.

“Should we have done something different?” I ask Nikolai, twisting my rings on my fingers.

He grabs my hand and pulls it up to his lips, kissing the gold band. “No. She’ll be fine. She just doesn’t adjust to change easily.” Moving toward the food, he tugs me with him. “We need to make sure Elena only gets one piece. She’s a sugar fiend like her Uncle Alexei.”

I’ve seen that with my own eyes. If she gets the chance, she’d put half of a bottle of syrup on her pancakes.

And, if I make the mistake of adding powdered sugar, I end up having to take her to the park to burn off all of her extra energy.

Alexei takes two servings and leaves while the rest of us sit down to enjoy the treat.

“Daddy, can I have clowns at my next birthday?” Elena asks with blue frosting smeared across her lips.

“Of course, sweetie. But, you’ll need to choose. You’ve also asked about going back to Italy and making sandcastles on the beach.” Nikolai hands her a napkin, but she just makes the mess streak across her cheek.

“Can I help you?” I ask her.

When she nods, I take a clean paper towel and dab it into a cup of water before wiping her face.

Nikolai leans close enough that his mouth touches my ear. “You’re a wonderful mom. I need to give you so many babies.” He shifts my hips on the bench seat so I can feel his hard cock digging into my side.

“I hope that’s a promise, Mr. Volkov.” I bat my lashes at him.

He lets out a low growl. “All of the babies, Mrs. Volkov.”

I’m fighting a giggle trying to help Elena when Alexei runs up to the table, panting.

He didn’t limp, he was moving so fast.

“She’s-she’s—” He gasps before grabbing his groin with a scowl.

“What is it?” Jax asks with a tinge of worry in his voice.

Alexei groans, cupping himself. “She’s gone,” he blurts. “I can’t find her.”

“What? Are you sure?” Nikolai asks over my shoulder.

Alexei nods frantically. “Her car is still here. But, she’s gone.”

---