Page 55 of Ruthless Daddies

“So, are you going to tell me what this is about?” I ask, keeping my voice casual as I turn onto a quieter street.

She hesitates, her hands twisting together more tightly. “Not yet,” she says finally, her voice soft. “I just…I need to see this place.”

I frown, glancing at her again. “That’s not exactly reassuring, Parker. You’re being cryptic, and that’s not like you.”

She gives me a small smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Just trust me, okay?”

Trust. A dangerous word in our world. But with her, it feels different. It feels easy.

I let out a breath and focus on the road. “Fine. But you’re not making a habit of dragging me into these mysteries of yours.”

Her soft laugh fills the car, and I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips.

The silence stretches between us again, but it’s not uncomfortable. The city hums around us, its energy seeping into the air as we leave the quieter streets behind and head into a busier part of town.

“Where are we going?” I ask after a while, my curiosity getting the better of me.

She hesitates again, then finally says, “There’s a café near the corner of Maple and 6th. Can you take me there?”

A café. Of all the places she could have dragged me to, that isn’t what I expected.

“What’s so special about this café?” I ask, but she just shakes her head.

“You’ll think it’s silly,” she says, avoiding my gaze.

I don’t push further, even though I want to. I know her well enough by now to recognize that stubborn tilt to her chin, the way her shoulders tense when she’s holding something back.

We drive for another fifteen minutes before the café comes into view. It’s tucked between a florist and a bookstore, its warm light spilling onto the sidewalk. A few tables are set up outside, and a small chalkboard sign advertises the daily specials.

I pull over to the curb and turn off the engine. “We’re here,” I say, glancing at her.

She nods but doesn’t move to get out of the car. Instead, she turns to me, her green eyes searching mine. “Thank you,” she says softly. “For bringing me here.”

I lean back against the seat, crossing my arms as I study her. “You going to tell me now, or are we still playing the mystery game?”

She bites her lip, looking down at her hands. “To be honest, I don’t know what I’m looking for.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

“Alice—”

“But I’ll figure it out,” she says.

“Okay,” I say simply.

She looks up at me, her lips curving into a faint smile. “You’re surprisingly patient.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I tease, though the truth is, I’d give her anything. She doesn’t need to know that yet.

As the silence settles again, she tilts her head, studying me like she’s trying to figure something out. “Nikolai,” she says hesitantly, “can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” I say without thinking.

Her brow furrows slightly, her voice dropping. “Your family…the Morozovs. You’re not just a normal family, are you?”

I freeze for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. I’ve always known she was sharp, too observant for her own good. But hearing her say it out loud, seeing the way she looks at me, like she’s already pieced together the truth, feels like stepping into dangerous territory.

I let out a slow breath, leaning forward, my elbows resting on the steering wheel. “What gave it away?” I ask, my voice lighter than I feel.

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