Page 80 of Ice Cold Hearts

He takes a deep breath. “They were more aggressive than I'd ever seen them. I think if it happens again, we should all think about having a security detail for a while. I was embarrassed to admit it earlier, but there were so many of them I had a hard time forcing my way through the crowd. If there had been any more of them, I’m not sure I would have been able to manage it alone.”

“She'll probably be more receptive to it if it isn't just her getting security, so that's something, at least.” Ian shrugs. “But I'm hoping they get bored of us soon.”

“I'm sure they eventually will,” says Alexei, but the tight set of his shoulders tells me he doesn't think it will be anytime soon.

We're saved from sinking further into that depressing topic by a pajama-clad criminal sneaking into the living room.

Audrey is on her tiptoes creeping across the middle of the living room and glancing around furtively.

“Shh. Shh,” she tells herself every few steps.

“What do we have here?” I ask. “Shouldn't you be in bed?”

She freezes dead in her tracks as if my vision might be based on movement.

“Audrey, you know we can see you even when you stay still, right?” Alexei says dryly.

I swear she pouts just like her mother. One day, I'm sure it won't be adorable, but today is not that day.

“But I was on my tippy toes and everything,” she says, planting her hands on her hips.

I shrug. “I guess we must have magic eyes that can see invisible children.”

She gasps, horrified, and her eyes nearly pop out of her head.

I'm desperately trying to hold in a laugh, and a glance over at the other two men in the room tells me I'm not alone in my struggle.

How does Emily manage to do this with a straight face?

My immediate next thought is that I should never play poker with her under any circumstances. She'd mop the floor with me.

I grab Audrey before she can run and flip her upside down. She giggles and squirms with glee.

“Now, what should we do with this criminal? Throw her in the trash bins outside?” I suggest, taking two steps toward the door.

“No!” she squeals.

I flip her right side up. “Well, I'm all out of ideas. Alexei?”

I wait until he holds his hands out to toss her to him. He takes an exaggerated sniff of her hair.

“I thought she was supposed to have had a bath,” he says gruffly. “She stinks like a barnyard animal. Maybe we should take her back to the zoo and put her in with the goats.”

“No, Uncle Alexei! I'm a girl, not a goat,” she protests.

“I've got nothing, then. Ian?”

Ian catches her effortlessly and tosses her in the air a few times, much to her delight.

“Hmm…” he says thoughtfully. “She's quite short. Are we sure she's not a doll? I think it would be best if we return her to the toy store for some nice little girl to buy.”

“But I am a nice little girl,” Audrey says.

“Are you sure?” Ian asks. “I've heard they're making the dolls very realistic nowadays. How do I know you're not trying to trick me?”

“No. I'm a for-real-life girl.” She giggles.

“I'm not sure I believe you. Oliver, can you double-check and tell me if this is a little girl or a doll?” he asks, turning toward me.

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