Page 54 of Cruel Bet

“Is she…?” I start, gesturing to the child beside me, unsure how to ask such a big important question, though she certainly seems the right sort of age for the dates to line up.

“Yours? No,” Arianna replies hurriedly, but she is unable to meet my gaze, turning away and busying herself.

“How old is she?” I press.

“Just turned two. Her father is no longer in the picture.”

If she was mine, she’d have to be a couple of months older than two. I have no real experience with young children, so I have no way of telling if Arianna is being truthful. The thought of her being with another man, of bearing his child, causes a jealous flare of anger that I struggle to suppress. I can’t blame her for having lived a life after I sent her away and told her I never wanted to see her again.

The image of Arianna being with another man is enough to distract me from my line of questioning about Maria Adelina, and I welcome the change of subject when Arianna brings it up.

“Nikolai, why did you come?” she asks nervously, as though afraid she won’t like the answer.

“Because I couldn’t stay away,” I reply truthfully. “I had to see for myself if you were happy. If letting you go was the right thing. Are you happy here?” I ask.

“Yes,” she says.

The thought that she might still pick this life, that she’s happier here without me feels like a blow to the gut and I have toconcentrate on my breathing, remind myself that I came here to give her a choice, not kidnap her again like a neanderthal.

“I was. To a certain extent at least,” she continues. “I live in a gorgeous, peaceful town. I have a beautiful and energetic little girl, and Kimiko and Maria visit when they can.”

“But?” I ask, praying that there is a but.

“But I didn’t have you,” she says softly, forlorn eyes meeting mine.

“You do now. For as long as you want me, I’m yours.”

“And I’m yours, always.”

My heart leaps at her words.

“I’ll book us on the next flight to New York. We can stay at the mansion, apartment, or any of my other properties you’d like.”

Arianna shakes her head. “Nikolai, I can’t just leave. I can’t just uproot Mads’ life here on a whim. I am yours, always. But I also belong to Mads, she has to come first in my life. I need to think about this before I agree to it. I’m not saying no, I’m just saying give me some time to think. I need to be sure that whatever decision I make is right for Mads, that she’ll be safe.”

“I will keep you both safe. I promise,” I reply, frustrated that she would think otherwise. “You can’t stay here, not now it’s been compromised. Your father knows where you are, it’s not safe.”

“I know Nikolai, believe me. But it’s just that this is all so soon, so monumental. My whole world has been turned on its head and I just need some time to come to terms with it all and work out what is going to be best for my child,” she pleads.

“Go pack your bags, I can arrange for the rest to be collected at a later date,” I reply, unmoved.

Arianna looks completely bewildered. “Did you not hear a word I just said? We’re not just up and leaving for New York. For starters, what about my job? I can’t leave them in the lurch.”

“Frankly, Arianna, I don’t care. I’m taking you somewhere safe, whether you like it or not.”

“You don’t get to just barge back into my life and start making demands,” Arianna cries.

“Watch me,” I growl.

I don’t care what Arianna says, now I’ve found her I’m never letting her go again. Even if I have to drag her kicking and screaming.

Arianna glances at her daughter, “Sweetie, Mommy and her friend are going to go in the other room to talk for a minute, be a good girl and don’t go anywhere,” she says before jerking her head toward the living room, beckoning me to follow.

I go willingly, I don’t want Mads to see this anymore than she does. The second we reach the room, Arianna shuts the door and wheels around to face me, face alight with righteous anger.

“This is my life, my child, you don’t get to decide what’s best for us. I don’t want my daughter to have the childhood I had. For her to grow up afraid, living in a gilded cage, constantly under guard because of the dangerous lifestyle you’re trying to force on her!” she rages, her eyes sparking with indignation.

“I’m not forcing anything onto you or Maria Adelina, you were born into this life, whether you like it or not, you’re always going to be part of it.”

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