Page 111 of Emerald Vices

“That doesn’t matter.” He wraps Sarra in a fresh towel and deposits her into my arms. “You should still be resting.”

“I had a full night of sleep, thanks to you.” I reach up and stroke the dark circles under his eyes. “How about you sleep tonight and I’ll take the night shift?”

“I can handle it,” he says dismissively. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get you something to drink.”

“Andrey, you don’t have to?—”

But he’s already on his way to the kitchen in search of refreshments. Misha follows him. “I’ll go help.”

Sighing, I walk Sarra over to one of the lounge chairs and sink into it. “I’m capable of getting myself a drink.”

“But you don’t have to,” Mila points out. “I wouldn’t complain if a man wanted to wait on me hand and foot.”

“I’m not complaining. I just?—”

“Don’t know how to let yourself be taken care of,” Aunt Annie jumps in. “Let that man dote on you, sweetheart. It’s good for you both.”

“You hit the jackpot,” Mila agrees. “Enjoy it.”

“I know I’m lucky. I just feel a little useless. He’s done all the midnight feedings this week.”

“Well, you pushed two human beings out of your vagina,” Mila drawls. “You’re entitled to a little pampering. If Kat were here, she’d say?—”

“Where has Kat been lately?” I interrupt. “I called her three times yesterday and she texted that she’d call back, but she never did.”

Mila looks away from me quickly—a bit too quickly, in my opinion. “She’s been busy at work.”

“There’s no way she’s that busy. Something’s going on with her.”

Mila opens and closes her mouth a few times before she suddenly jumps out of her chair. “The boys are back with drinks. I’ll take Sarra.”

She plucks my daughter from my arms before I can protest. Then Andrey sits down next to me.

“Do you know what’s happening with Katya?” I ask.

“You’d have to ask Shura.”

“I would, but Shura’s never around anymore, either. Same with Leonty and Olaf. Is there a game of hide-and-seek going on that I’m unaware of?”

“Missing them?”

I narrow my eyes. “No, but I feel like I’m missing something.”

“You don’t have to sit around and wait for the other shoe to drop, Nat.”

I freeze, caught between his arms and my wild thoughts. Isn’t that the exact reason I rolled out of bed this morning, wondering where my children were? Wondering why it was so quiet? Scared that everyone had disappeared on me?

I take a deep breath. “Sorry. I’m being irrational.”

He kisses my temple. “I don’t blame you. I haven’t exactly given you a stress-free environment this past year.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is.” His silver eyes turn steely. “But I intend to change that. Soon.”

Despite the warmth of his body nestled against mine, I feel cold. “What does that mean?”

He kisses me again. “Don’t you worry about that.”

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