Page 95 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

Symphony

Two weeks later …

“Are you okay?” Michael asks as he walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.

We are in Russia. We’ve just finished assisting Uri and Val in an extraction. A small child.

The girl is only four. I cannot imagine how scared she must have been. When I looked at the girl’s face, I thought of Vita.

My niece and nephews have come to mean so much to me. I would wipe out Vita’s kidnapper and his entire family if something like this were ever to happen to her. Uri and Val wouldn’t even have to ask.

“What if that were Vita? I can’t get her face out of my head. I remember how frightened I was when you rescued me. She’s so much smaller than I was.”

“No one is crazy enough to try something like that with Uri’s daughter,” Michael says through clenched teeth.

“Isn’t her father some Russian mob boss? Someone dared to take her.”

“Not someone. This was Misha’s own family. They’re”—he shakes his head—“they are all crazy enough to have a death wish in doing this. I am sure he has already murdered at least one person for this.”

“Why would someone do this to their own family?”

“I have kept you hidden from your uncle for years.”

“That’s not the same. Leonardo Trovati isn’t my blood. I am no more important to him than a piece of pooh on the bottom of his shoe.”

“People are complicated and will go to extremes when power and greed are involved. It will take some time, but Milanie will be fine, just like you were,” Michael says softly.

“I don’t like what this world does to children. I would never want our children to have to go through something like we have. Losing our parents, being kidnapped?—”

Before I can finish my thought, Michael spins me around and crushes his lips to mine. I’m taken by surprise as he kisses me passionately. I wrap my arms around his neck and return the kiss.

He breaks the connection and looks me deeply in the eyes. I cling to the front of his shirt as he has made me weak in the knees. He smiles back at me and cups the side of my face.

“You would like to have children? You want to have babies?”

“Yes. Is it something you don’t want? Not with me?”

“Of course I want them with you. You are my wife.”

“Why did you sound so surprised?”

I search his gaze, wondering what I am reading in his voice. Disappointment begins to set in. This is something adults get to talk about before they get married. We weren’t afforded thatluxury or opportunity, and Michael may not want to pair his genes with mine.

“You are a dancer. You have never mentioned wanting to start a family of our own. I never thought to ask.

“We haven’t been using protection, but I didn’t think to ask. Yes, Symphony. I would like a family of our own.”

“I would like to be a mother. I only have a few more years left of my dance career. I would be okay if I had to retire sooner.

“I am on birth control for now. I can discontinue whenever you think we are ready. I very much would like to have babies with you. Please.”

He captures my lips again. This time more passionately. I moan into his mouth and lift on my toes to get closer to him.

“We are about to enter a war. It might not be time to start now, but we will revisit this. For now, practice always makes perfect,” he says against my lips while squeezing my butt.

“Shouldn’t we check on Val? We should see if she needs help with Milanie.”

“I’ve just come from their room. Milanie is fine. She’s fast asleep and I believe my brother and his wife are about to do the same thing we are. Come to bed, Symphony. We have done our part,” he croons as he tugs my hand for me to follow him.

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