Page 131 of Lethal Alliance

“That was kind of you.” Darya’s eyes are soft.

I squirm. “It’s good business sense, is what it is. The last thing we need are wild cards from that clan showing up without an invitation. We’ll work with Alexei until I’m damned certain the whole lot are finished. Now.” I lean forward, rubbing my hands together. “Let’s talk about something other than trojans, keys, and bad men with guns. Like where we’re going as soon as we can leave London.”

To my surprise, it’s Ofelia who answers.

“I want to go to Finca de Carrascas,” she says quietly. “I just want to sit in the sun there.”

“Pool!” Masha jumps up and down on the bed, her eyes shining.

“It’s close to the lab,” Mickey adds.

“Can we?” Darya turns to me, smiling. “It’s so much homier than the penthouse. I can’t imagine a better place for Ofelia to recover.” Her eyes soften. “And Papa loves it there.”

Her anger toward Sergei has gone entirely, after nearly losing him. And from what she’s explained to me, I have a better understanding of Sergei’s, and my mother’s, choices. There’ll be time to talk properly. Right now, however, I’m far more worried about getting rid of the shadows in my eldest daughter’s eyes.

“We’ll have to wait a few days.” I smile at Ofelia. “But yes, I think that’s a good idea.” Suddenly, I have an even better one. I put my mouth close to Darya’s ear and whisper something that makes her turn fiery red.

Ofelia rolls her eyes with some semblance of her normal insouciance. “Oh my God. Seriously, you two?”

“Ha. It’s not what you think.” I take a slightly evil satisfaction at the worried look spreading across Darya’s face.

“Roman,” she says hesitantly, “I’m not sure now is the time—”

“I’d say it’s long past time.” I pull her close, pressing my lips to her temple, then turn to face all three of my children. “I just said that I think the finca would be a good place for a wedding. Especially if all the family are going to be there.”

The room is suddenly completely silent. For a horrible moment I think I’ve completely misjudged it.

Christ, Roman. Never make big decisions on the back of jet lag, two bullet holes, and half a bottle of Scotch.

Then all three of my children erupt at once.

“Wedding!” Masha is bouncing up and down on the bed excitedly. “Papa and Darya getting married!”

“Married,” Ofelia breathes, her eyes shining in a way that makes my heart twist.

“Ha,” Mickey says, smirking at us both. “About time.”

Darya gives him a warning look, but it’s too late. Ofelia looks between us, her eyes narrowing. “What’s the rush?” she asks bluntly.

“Yeah, Roman.” Mickey folds his arms and cocks an eyebrow at me. “Why don’t you tell my sisters what the rush is?”

I shoot him my best death stare, but his grin just gets even more smart-assed.

“Actually, shouldn’t you be talking to Darya’s father?” Mickey’s voice starts to break with laughter. “Then again, you might want to make sure he doesn’t have a gun before you have that conversation—”

I make a grab for the little prick, and he leaps off the bed, laughing. We face each other across Ofelia, Mickey clearly prepared to dodge if I make another lunge for him.

“People,” Ofelia says, holding up her hands. “Broken leg here.”

“Be careful,” Darya says, frowning at us both from the end of the bed. She takes a deep breath, fire-engine red as she glances at me. “Um, Ofelia. The thing is...”

“She’s pregnant.” Mickey says it triumphantly, cutting her short. “Darya and Roman are going to have a baby.”

There’s a second moment of stunned silence, during which I wait with more trepidation than I could have imagined for Ofelia’s response.

“You’re going to be married.” Her eyes move between Darya and me, her expression frozen. “And have a baby. We’re going to have a little brother or sister.”

“Yes.” Darya is watching Ofelia worriedly. “But nothing will change, darling, I promise—”

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