Page 127 of Claim

MIKHAIL

“Come here.”I pat my thigh for Ana to sit on.

She pushes a dark curl behind her ear, picks up her hot cup of tea, and slides her tight ass onto my leg.

Hades lies on the floor beneath the table, lightly snoring in the warm sliver of sun that spills there from the window.

“Did you want to go to the office with me today? We can catch a concert afterwards.” My hand falls to her growing belly as I sip my coffee.

There’s a part of me that doesn’t want to let her out of my sight now that I know she’s pregnant. I want to bubble wrap her and strap her to my back to carry her everywhere.

“Who’s babysitting Zoya then? Doesn’t she demandallof your time?” Ana’s nose wrinkles and she wiggles on my lap.

I shrug and pull her tighter. “Niki or Lara can take care of her, too. Lara would be the best choice, Zoya apparently can’t stand Alexei.”

Ana laughs. “I believe that. He doesn’t even acknowledge she’s in the room.” Her small hands cup my cheeks, running herthumb over my scars. “You’re too nice. My big softy, trying to be the good guy.”

I growl, pulling her palm to my lips. “I am not.”

She gives me a wide smile. “Liar.” She drops down hard onto my lap, nearly crushing my left nut.

“My little iskorka, I’m going to show you just how horrible I can be.” I flip her over so she’s lying across my knee.

Damn her for giggling. She’s making me grin along with her.

“Mikhail!” Zoya’s cry shatters our moment before she bursts into the room.

“Of fucking course.” Ana pushes herself up and smooths her hair back with a glower darkening her features.

I take a deep breath, and tug up my balaclava. If nothing else, it will hide just how absolutely furious I am that Zoya keeps barging in.

“What the hell do you want? And how did you find out the code for the doors?” I bellow loudly enough that Ana winces.

Zoya rushes in, panic flaring her eyes. “She’s gone! He took her!”

“Who? Galena? Are you sure she didn’t sneak away from you?” It wouldn’t be the first time. My little sister seems to hate staying with Zoya.

I can’t say I blame her.

“He took her. She isn’t hiding, I looked everywhere. I just know he did. Get Enzo to check the cameras!” Zoya clutches her dress at the neck, and collapses into the chair next to the table.

“How does he keep finding you all of the sudden?” Ana asks, then turns towards me and wrinkles her nose.

“I don’t know. He wants me, wants Galena. What am I going to do?” Zoya sobs, covering her face.

I pull out my phone and call Enzo.

“Pull up the feed on Zoya’s house,” I grunt before he says a word.

“What the hell did she do now? he sighs.

But I can hear his keyboard clicking in the background.

“She’s saying Galena has been taken. I need to know who did it.” I stare hard at Zoya.

“Of course she’s been taken! I can’t believe you’re sitting there, not offering any comfort.” She bites her lower lip and looks at me through her lashes.

Her pranks for attention have been escalating. There are some days I hate that I made a promise to protect her.

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