Page 104 of Mountain Daddy

LILLY

The world spins in and out of focus.

Drug-haze.

Panic-fog.

Nikolai's arms surround me like steel cables, carrying me through darkness.

Trees.

Night.

Stars overhead.

My tongue's too thick in my mouth but one word breaks through: “Chleo.”

It's all I can think. All I can say. The rest of the world has narrowed to a pinprick with my son at the center.

“He's safe,” Nikolai keeps saying. Over and over. “He's safe, Lilly. I promise.”

But I need to see him. Need to touch him. Need to know those bastards didn't get to him.

Car doors open. The world tilts as Nikolai places me in the passenger seat. His hand brushes hair from my face, tender.

“Stay with me,” he says. “We're going to him now.”

The drive passes in flashes. Streetlights. Darkness. Trees. Town. The drugs are wearing off, leaving my head pounding and my thoughts clearer, sharper.

When the car stops, we're outside a small B&B on the edge of town. Two-story Victorian. White trim. Hanging baskets on the porch.

“Maksim's got a room here,” Nikolai explains, helping me stand. My legs are still wobbly, but I can walk. Need to walk. Need to get to my son.

“Second floor,” he says, guiding me up the steps. “Room 204.”

The hallway stretches forever. Each step feels like walking through molasses, but I push harder. Faster.

Nikolai knocks. Three quick raps.

The door opens.

And there he is.

“Mama!”

Chleo flies across the room and crashes into my legs. I drop to my knees, grab him, pull him against me so hard it must hurt.

But he doesn't complain. Just wraps his little arms around my neck and holds on.

“Baby.” My voice breaks. Tears flood my eyes, spill over. “My baby.”

I can't stop touching him.

His hair.

His face.

His arms.

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