Page 86 of Crimson Flames

Ani leans her head on my shoulder, letting out a long sigh as we walk back inside. “Safe, Baba.”

My eyes go wide, stopping in the doorway to look back at Adrian. We have been teaching them to call me Baba and Adrian Dada. Dr. K thought the repetitive speech patterns would be easier for them, but this is the first time Ani has called me this.

“Dada, safe,” Ami says, her eyes falling closed on Adrian’s chest. Tears spring to both our eyes as we hold our little girls, feeling like this was all meant to be. I hate knowing what they've experienced up until this point and wish it hadn’t happened to them. But I am grateful to get to be a part of their second family and their healing journey now. I plan to give them the whole world if they let me.

“Baba loves you,” I say, placing a gentle kiss on Ani’s head.

Sometimes traveling between Russia and Norway sets Ani or Ami off, but I think this time, they may actually feel more at peace. They love their aunts Laney, Evie, and Nessa, and they ask about them, Azazel and his daddy often. I think they know that we will keep them safe, but these people are also their home.

I only hope we can help provide this for the rest of the kids too. Not that we can adopt them all, because we can’t. But I’mdetermined to help find them a place to call home with people who love them for exactly who they are, trauma and all.

And I think I know just how to make it all happen.

Chapter 32

“Hey, Kai,” Nessa says as Evie and I jog up to the house after our early morning run. This lady can go a good distance, so I feel exhausted as my feet hit the front step.

“Yeah?” I ask. She grabs her keys, standing in the open doorway, before walking out with a smile on her face.

“Do you have time for me to show you something?”

I smile because I will always have time for my new mom.

“Always.” I grin at her before eyeing the keys in her hand. “I mean, as long as it doesn’t involve more running because I think Evie just killed me.”

My breaths come in short pants as I try to regain my composure.

“No running, but I make no promises about your heart rate.”

She looks so playful and mischievous, something I’m not used to seeing on her face. She looks different today, and I can’t wait to figure out why that is.

Evie tosses me a water bottle before I walk with stiff legs to meet Nessa at the side of a very purple mustang.

“You can stretch while I check her over. I haven’t driven her in a bit, so she might need some attention.”

My brows furrow as I look at the car.

“Are you calling the Mustangher?” I question, bending down to stretch my hamstrings.

She gives me the most ‘well duh’ face as she gestures to the muscle car. “What else would you refer to her as?”

I shrug, standing to loosen up my shoulders and back. “Maybe an it, or a him. These muscle cars are usually built for guys, right?”

Now she just looks offended, but I have no idea why.

“I am going to give you a free pass because clearly no one ever taught you about vehicles. This is Flair, and the proper response would be ‘nice to meet you’.”

I stare at her in disbelief.My mother is crazy.

Nessa pops the hood, moving around to look at things, giving nods of approval as she goes and no shit actually pets the metal at a few points. Her fingers graze the tires almost lovingly as she inspects them and I watch nervously because I have no idea what to do right now.

Is this normal?

“She looks good,” Nessa finally says, gesturing to the passenger door. “Get in.”

Pulling open the door, I find a seat that looks like something I swear I’ve seen in a racing movie.

“Is this a race car?” I ask, dragging a harness over my head to fasten it between my legs.

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