Page 69 of Ruthless Lullaby

Mindy studies my expression. "What about her mother?"

“Galina,” I let out a heavy sigh. “We had an affair when I was still very young. We never wanted a baby. We were in love, had sex whenever, wherever… we were crazy and irresponsible. Then she fell pregnant, of course."

"Of course," she repeats.

"I was young and stupid," I admit. "But I took full responsibility for the baby. I even met Galina's father and told him I was going to look after his daughter and the child, no matter what. And then Cordelia was born. There she was, the perfect baby… even with her condition."

"I’m so sorry, Maron," she whispers. "I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to lose her."

"It was hard. So much so that Galina couldn't take it. She disappeared from the hospital overnight. Never saw her again. But I never blamed her. She was young, not even twenty.”

I fall silent, losing myself in my thoughts for minutes before I speak again. “Eventually, my mother and I became Cordelia's family. And the dogs, cats, the birds and the flowers in the garden. She was a happy kid." My voice cracks as I continue, "Until her heart gave out. She was only eight."

There's another long moment of silence before Mindy speaks. "I don't know what to say, Maron. I’m so sorry you had to go through this."

I open my eyes and meet her gaze. "It tore me apart and put me back together again. Made me the man I am today. But the worst thing was, I had to keep Cordelia hidden. Like she was some dirty secret."

“What?” she asks. “You hid her? Why?”

“The fucking Bratva.” I glance at Mindy. “To protect her. As the head of an ancient organization with rules and traditions, I could not afford to have a ‘flawed’ child. That’s how the Bratva would have seen her. If my enemies had caught wind of her existence…” I stop, not wanting to think about what the consequences may have been. “To me, she was perfect. She just didn’t belong in this fucked-up world.”

Mindy shifts next to me, discreetly wiping away a streak of tears running down her cheek. She moves closer to me, the warmth of her body seeping into my cold heart.

“Thank you, Maron. Thank you for telling me.”

I grunt, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the vulnerability I’ve just shown her. “Yeah, well. Now you know my story.”

She places a gentle kiss on my face and wraps her hands around my neck as she clings to me. “I do. And I’m still here,” she whispers.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Mindy

"Oh my God, Mindy!" Betty exclaims, rushing over to me with a look of relief and concern on her face. I have just entered our shared apartment after returning from the trip Maron and I took to Moscow. "Where the hell have you been? What happened?"

Shit. The desperate attempt to call Betty before I was forced into Maron’s car must have given her a scare. I texted her to calm her down before Maron’s jet took off, telling her that I’d be away for a couple of days, but I guess I was a little vague. No wonder she was worried. I need to do better next time as a friend and tell her about my whereabouts.

"I’m sorry, Bets," I tell her, feeling guilty. "I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll communicate better next time."

She frowns. "Something is going on with you, Mindy. I can see it on your face. I know you too well."

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the last couple of days crashing down on me. I set my bags down and collapse onto the couch. "I am really sorry. It was just… a very intense couple of days."

Betty plops down next to me and her eyes widen with excitement as she takes in my outfit.

"I bet. I mean… look at the stuff you’re wearing! That pullover is to die for." She gives me a playful nudge. "It’s quite the upgrade from our thrift store days." Her gaze drifts down to my shoes. "And those heels? Holy shit, Mindy! Did you win the lottery or rob a bank?"

I pause, nibbling on my lip. I know I have some explaining to do, but where do I even start? Do I tell her about getting kidnapped? Or dining like royalty, and feeling sparks fly with a guy I barely know? And the fact that I’m technically tied to him now through our so-called marriage deal? I'm still trying to wrap my own head around that last one.

I look into Betty's eyes, knowing there are some things I have to share with her. She's my ride-or-die, the one person who always has my back, no matter what crazy shit I get involved in.

"Alright, Bets," I begin. "What I'm about to spill stays between us, no matter what. You can’t tell anyone. Got it?”

Betty snorts, rolling her eyes. "Girl, please. You know I can keep a secret better than a spy.”

“I’m serious, Bets. This is between you and me.”

“My lips are sealed," she reassures me.

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