Page 52 of Defiled Innocence

Uncle Igor’s gaze hits mine and he doesn’t need to voice his concerns. I’m having the same.

But I won’t argue with her about it right now. Once I have information, I’ll bring it to her.

“Nikolai, Sophia isn’t going down,” Charlotte says while tapping on her phone. “I’m sorry, but I think we need to go.”

Nikolai is up on his feet before she’s finished speaking. “Sophia is having a hard time at night and sometimes won’t go to sleep unless Charlotte is there.” He eyes his wife. “A problem I think is getting worse because we continue to give in to what she wants.”

“She’s a baby. You can’t spoil a baby with too much love,” Charlotte chastises him. “How would you like it to have the one thing you depend on in life to just abandon you? You’d hate it.”

Nikolai raises an eyebrow and shakes his head a little. He’s choosing his battles as much as I am, and this isn’t the hill to take a bullet on.

“We’ll go.” He brings his coffee cup and Charlotte’s empty plate. “Good luck to you. If she’s anything like mine, you’re going to need it,” he mutters to me as he passes, slapping me on the back as he escorts his wife out of the study.

“We should probably get going, too.” Arman puts his hand out for his wife.

“But it’s early still,” she complains. “And I didn’t get a chance to talk with Lia on my own.”

“She’s family now, Anya. You can talk to her whenever you want.”

Anya steps up to Amelia.

“Next weekend you, me, and Charlie should go out for lunch. Maybe a little shopping. Some of my pants are starting to get a little tight already.” She pats her belly that has only the smallest bulge from the baby resting inside.

“She will join you,” I answer for her. The woman needs more clothes.

Twice what she currently has, I think. And shoes. I’ve never known a woman to own fewer shoes than me.

“I can answer for myself.” Amelia shoots me a glare. “But, yes, that would be fun, and I do need a few things for work.”

“Work,” I mutter beneath my breath. All she thinks about is work; she needs to take a day off. To rest.

To breathe.

Has she taken even an afternoon off since Lucas’ accident?

Anya gives her a quick hug.

“She’s grieving not only her brother, but the life she had. Give her time,” she whispers to me when she hugs me goodbye.

Arman glares at me. If we were not blood, he would consider removing my ear for letting his wife’s lips get so close.

I can’t blame him.

I would do the same.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say to my uncle as he makes his way past me.

He’s retired now, not working in any of the family affairs and it’s done him a world of good. Not only for his temperament, but he’s looking younger. The stress of our world damages us at a faster rate than most.

“I’ll get this cleaned up.” Amelia starts to pile up the plates.

“I have a full staff, Amelia. Let them do their jobs.” I stop her, but when she looks up at me, I can see the tiredness in her eyes.

Everything between us has been a struggle. Maybe she’s just as exhausted by it as I am.

Now that we’re married, maybe we can start fresh. Stop fighting each other and become one team.

“Just don’t overdo. You said you have a lot going on tomorrow, you should get some sleep.”

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