Page 98 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

“I am fine. I would like to see the boy. Will Milanie be with them? Is she well?”

“Uri didn’t say, but I don’t believe so. Apparently, Sammy is having a bad day too. No one could calm him down at the house.

“Misha and Uri have some business to talk about. He’s bringing the kid with him. That’s all I know for now. What can I do to help you?”

“I will go play for a little while. Please let me know when they arrive.”

Michael closes the distance between us and pulls me into his arms. I relax a bit just from being in his embrace. I inhale deeply, taking in his intoxicating scent.

“I love you. Whatever has you unsettled, if I can do anything about it, let me know. Whatever you need, I am here,” he says and kisses my forehead.

I look up at him and smile, making sure to look him in the eyes so he can see I’m already feeling better. Michael likes it when I give him my eyes. I try to when I’m aware and able to.

“Thank you. You have done more than you know already.”

He turns to leave, and I go to head to the piano room. Something about knowing Sammy will be here has shifted my mood. If he’s having a bad day, maybe I can help.

Michael

I leave the sitting room in our wing of the house, where I’d found Symphony sitting by herself. I knew something was off when I didn’t find her with Val and the children. Sim loves spending time with them.

The children love her as well. I expected to find her hanging out with them and Val when I first went in search of her. When I did find her, I was concerned to find her staring into space while popping her wristband and making that chewing sound with her mouth.

I believe she’s been struggling with Ellen’s death. They didn’t know each other for long as friends but I know Ellen was the woman Sim met at the charity event who gave her the warning for my life.

“Hello,” I say into my phone after it rings, pulling me out of my concerned thoughts about my wife.

“Michael?”

“Julissa? What’s going on?”

“I think I’m being followed. I didn’t want to bother you, but I don’t know what else to do.”

I pause in my tracks. I did tell her to call if she ever needed me. If she were ever in danger.

“For how long?” I bite out.

“I thought I was being paranoid at first, but it’s been about three weeks I believe.”

I think fast. Symphony is having a bad day. I’m not about to tell her I’m running off to help the same woman she threatened to kill and I’m not going to help Julissa without telling my wife.

I think of a solution that might work in my favor. Adriano has been working my nerves with the way he watches my wife. I want to say he’s just doing his job, but I know it’s more.

“Listen, I’m going to send someone to look after you for a while. He will keep you safe. Stay inside for now. Adriano will be there in a few hours.”

“Thank you, Michael. I thought this was over.”

“I will get to the bottom of this and take care of it. Breathe. This could be nothing.”

“Okay.”

I hang up and go to find Adriano. I sent him on some errands earlier to get him away from Sim while I got some work done. Now, I will get him out of our home, at least for a little while.

Uri

“LaSalle will be promoted soon. Don Trovati is ready for you and Sim to take over as well,” I say to Michael as we sit waiting in my office for Misha to arrive.

Michael sighs and pulls a hand down his face. I stare at him closely as he sits across from my desk. He has something on his mind.

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