Page 38 of Sinful Scars

“Years?”

Vivi flinches in my arms, and Lucia quickly reaches across the table to stroke her daughter's cheek to reassure her. “He's been stalking you for years? Jesus, Elle. This guy sounds really unhinged.”

“He saved my life.”

“That doesn’t give him a free pass to come into your apartment whenever he feels like it. Please, Elle, if you insist on staying there, at least have Mikhail send one of his guys over to keep an eye on you.”

“No.”

“Elle,please.” Lucia’s voice cracks.

I don’t miss the way her eyes flick to Vivi, her expression filled with worry, and I’m hit with a pang of guilt.

I’ve been so caught up in my own obsession with my mystery man that I forgot that Lucia also had a target on her back.

“I'm worried about you.”

“I know, but I’m fine, Lucia. This is my life, my choice.”

I have the right to choose who I want watching me and who I don’t.

And for now, I wanthim.

“You don’t have to be strong with me.”

“Will it be enough for me to promise to come to you the moment I feel unsafe?” I wish I had never brought any of this up.

Lucia’s reaction is tamer than I expected, but I still can’t deny the fact that I’m disappointed. I had hoped that she would at least try to understand rather than going to the worst-case scenario.

“So, when are you going to make another one of these? Because one baby to snuggle is not enough.” I chuckle as I tickle Vivi.

“Maybe when she goes to school. At the moment, she’s getting into everything. I can’t take my eyes off of her for even a second so the thought of having two babies to look after fills me with dread.”

“You can hire help, you know?”

“If Bianca can manage to do it all, then so can I.”

“Bianca is superhuman.” I laugh, thinking of Alexei’s wife. “She keeps the whole family running smoothly.”

“I think she wants to get everyone together for Ben and Sasha’s birthday in a few weeks. The timing works out well, seeing as Nina and Anton will be back from their babymoon by then.”

“I thought a babymoon is a trip you takebeforehaving a baby?”

“Technically, yes, but seeing as they got married right before the baby was due, Nina couldn’t fly, and she desperately wanted to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon. So, they held off until the baby was a bit bigger and combined the two.”

“Well, I appreciate Bianca inviting me too.” I often feel bad for gate-crashing Koslov family events as I’m nottechnicallylinked to them other than through Lucia.

“Of course, you’re part of the family! Plus, we need all the help we can get with all the kids running around.”

“I’d be happy to help. You know how much I love kids.” I kiss Vivi on the top of her head.

“I think the party is going to be a surprise, so don’t say anything to Zara. Bianca wants to plan the entire thing, and I’m pretty sure it’s themed, but I honestly can’t remember the details. I swear my brain is actually shrinking from lack of sleep.”

I only half listen to Lucia as she rattles off gift ideas for the twins, my attention wandering to the window beside us. I scan the faces of every passing man, wondering if one of them is him.

Are you watching me right now?

I can’t help but secretly hope that he is.

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