Page 151 of My Pucking Crush

“And that’s why you killed him.”

Samara smiles.

Whimpering breaks the silence. “I’m so sorry,” Zoraida cries, thinking I’ll kill her.

She only knew me as a killer. Ishouldkill her.

“We need a doctor,” I say, trying to think rationally about what Eli needs, knowing someone can show up any minute to kill us. “I need to have him checked out.”

“Ashton will examine him,” Max says, getting on his phone. “He’s a pediatric surgeon.”

“He’s perfectly healthy. I promise, Mr. Korolev.” The nanny bows to me. “Ivan never hurt him. Or me. Your son wanted for nothing.”

But he’s technically Belova’s heir and the bratva will come for him.

“Why hasn’t someone else collected him if he’s theheir to the Belova dynasty?” I ask Samara.

“Ivan’s cousin took over,” Samara whispers. “Defied the council. Didn’t want Elijah as the heir. A war is about to break out here. Belova loyalists will be coming to install him. And the opposition is coming to kill him,” she whispers.

I shudder. Still holding him, his little legs wrapped around my waist, I realize Max is stroking his hair. “Hey, you’re safe now, little Eli. We’ve got you.”

It’s almost too much.

“Can I trust her?” I ask Samara, who’s had more time with this situation.

“I don’t know. I don’t think she’d do anything to harm Elijah, but she didn’t reach out to you. I think everything she’s done has been out of fear. I expect that won’t change. But if you’re gonna take her with us, we better leave now,” Samara says low.

Someone will kill Zoraida for handing him over to me. She can tell them I took him back to save her life. I won’t be hunted down, not when I have this precious angel to protect.

I’d rather bring her to New York, take my time considering what to do. Zoraida is from South America, and if I think she’s a liability, I’ll put her on a plane and dump her there.

“She comes with us.” I kiss my son’s forehead. “Let’s get you packed, my little prince.”

“Already done.” Samara points to a set of luggage near the door. “His ID is packed up, too. They didn’t change his name. And she’s been homeschooling him. Take Elijah. I’ll guard her while she packs, and meet you back in Manhattan.”

To the townhouse Max and I share.

“You coming to New York?” I’ve been begging Samara to work with me.

“I am now. I’m his aunt, I want him to know me.” Elijah’s mother is gone, Samara is all he has in that department. “Can I live with you and your hubby?” she asks, playfully.

“Absolutely,” Max answers from behind me.

“Eli?” I look down at him and go weak at his soft gray eyes like mine. “Can I take you home with me? Me and Max, your new step-dad?”

“Okay, Papa.” He smiles at us.

I turn to Max, fighting tears. I want so much to walk into the sunset with my sonandmy husband. “You good with this, Max? With raising my son with me?”

Max puts his arm around us. Both of us. “Where you Korolevs go,Igo.”

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