Page 112 of Lethal Legacy

“Lucia said that isn’t really her name?” The uncertainty in his voice makes it more of a question than a statement.

I close my eyes briefly.

“Yes, Mickey. I know that.” I make my tone deliberately calm.

“Oh.” The confusion and hurt in that one simple sound makes me wince.

“I’m on my way, Mickey. Just relax, okay? There’s nothing you need to worry about. Do you understand?” I keep the line open until he cuts it at his end, by which time I’m already in the Maybach and pulling out of the basement. I race through the siesta-quiet streets, the speed matching my thoughts.

The truth is that since I discovered who Lucia is running from, my only concern has been ensuring her safety. The most peaceful moments I know are when she is in my bed, naked, her body mine to own and hold. In only a matter of days, I’ve begun to listen for the sound of her laughter floating up from downstairs. To count the minutes until I can summon her to my penthouse.

And in my need to satisfy myself that Lucia is safe in my care, I’ve managed to neglect the three people for whom I am legally, morally, and emotionally responsible.

Not neglect their safety, of course. I could be drugged and bound and still ensure my people are fucking safe.

But I’ve conveniently overlooked the fact that this revelation was always going to be inevitable. I’ve allowed them to become attached to Lucia, all the while knowing that eventually this day of reckoning would come.

Dimitry’s warning rings uncomfortably clearly through my mind:“It’s about damn time you did something more than just keep them safe. They need more than just a nanny, Roman. Especially one who might leave at any minute. They need a father. And a mother. One who actually gives a shit about them.”

I grip the steering wheel hard enough to turn my knuckles white, grinding my teeth. I really,reallyfucking hate to admit when I’ve messed up.

I take care of my people. I make certain they’re safe. But Dimitry is right: in the case of my godchildren, “safe” means a lot more than placing guards on the door.

The kids lived through the trauma of their father’s brutal death, the raids that imprisoned their grandfather, and Inger’s blatant neglect. Vera has the emotional intelligence of an amoeba, while Inger’s parents prefer cruise ships to relationships.

And then there’s me.

I run an orange light, ignoring the indignant shriek of car horns.

Without any discernible effort on my part, I’ve been enjoying something of a proxy relationship with the kids, enabled and facilitated by Lucia. I’ve even felt self-congratulatory about having made such a good choice. As if they were simply another task taken care of.

Best geek minds in the world?Check.

Best security guards in the business?Check.

Best au pair?Check.

And let’s not forget why exactly you hired her.

Although on that particular point, my logical mind wavers. I didn’t ask Lucia to sign that contract simply because I had to have her in my bed. In some ways, it would be easier if I had.

No.

I asked her to sign it because some part of meknewthe children would love her. And the animal instinct in me knew I could trust Lucia, despite her murky background.

But even if I had the best of intentions when I hired Lucia, the only person truly responsible for the children’s well-being is me.

I’m many things, with killer and utter prick at the top of the list.

But I’ve never been a liar. Particularly, I’ve never lied to myself.

The fear I heard in Mickey’s voice isn’t Lucia’s fault for living under a false identity. Nor do I blame her for taking the children to the villa. Knowing how protective she is of both her own past and the children’s safety, instinct tells me she would never risk either without good reason.

No. The only reason the children are currently shaken and unsure is because the one person on whom they are completely reliant failed to make them feel safe.

The fault here is mine.

If I had prioritized the children’s needs over my own, Mickey would never have had cause to pick up that phone. He would have trusted me to act in his best interests. All three of the children would be certain that I would never place them at risk.

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