Page 89 of Scarlet Secrets

That was a hollow pipe dream.

“What changed?”

I push a hand through my hair as Sasha goes backward down the toddler slide, squealing and laughing the entire way.

“Shit,Lyubimaya, I had to grow up. Take care of those I loved.” I glance away. “Alina, really. Ilya can look after himself.”

But I wanted a good place for him. He’s family to me, and he’s worth his weight in diamonds.

“I just wanted to prove myself, and after he died, that’s what I’ve been doing.” And though I don’t say it, I’m trying to prove it to myself, too.

We set up the picnic, and I glance at Ilya, who’s on his phone by the SUV. He looks up and shakes his head. He’s put himself on duty since we’re out in the open.

Sasha comes and eats with us, then lies curled in his mother’s arms, his little feet bouncing deliberately off my thigh until he falls asleep.

I share the vodka with her, mixing hers with apple juice since it's what’s in the basket.

And when he wakes and takes off as though demons are after him, I ease her against me, my arm loose around her, hand on her thigh. It takes her a while to relax into me and when she does, it’s worth the world.

Erin turns and rubs her cheek against my chest as we just talk about everything and nothing, and for a while, I let everything else fall away.

When the sun starts to sink, it’s time to end the day and I catch a certain expression on Ilya’s face. Definitely time.

Erin calls Sasha over and he rushes up. I scoop him up without thinking, beyond pleased he lets me and even puts his arm around my neck. “More, Dane! More!”

Fuck, what I’d give for daddy, but I’ll take Dane. I’ll take anything. “So you had fun, huh?”

“More!” My son nods vigorously. “Please, Dane… Mama? Please!”

I laugh and brush a kiss against his temple, Erin’s eyes lighting up, making me feel ten feet tall. “Another time. Maybe you, me, and Mama can make it a thing?”

“Yes!”

Erin smiles. “I’d love that.”

Me too, I think. Me too.

While Erin feedshim a very light supper, then bathes him and does bedtime duty, I have to bow out.

I’ve changed and am now downstairs with Ilya, checking my gun. “The locks are installed for all weapons?”

“It’s no one’s first rodeo, Boss. The kid’s safe. No one here fucks with weapons. And I’ve made doubly sure of that. But yes, locks are in place.”

“Good.”

I relock the drawer I keep my weapon in. “What did Stefan say?”

“Like I said Niko will be at Ten-Twenty tonight.”

A seedy part of town made popular by the well heeled who think grunge will spice up their lives.

The drinks are expensive, the titty bars upscale, and the gambling dens are highly illegal. There’s also a sex club where he’s at right now, but he’s heading to Ten-Twenty to play some poker.

“What time?”

“The game starts at ten. An ally of Sergio’s is hosting, so the guest list’s pretty legit.” He nods at me as we head out to where our men wait.

“That means he’ll be at Toto’s first. Drinks and girls, right? Cop a feel? Act the big man after some sex play? Sounds like fucking Niko.”

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