Page 130 of Mountain Daddy

Lilly shoots her a look. “Rosa!”

“What? I have eyes. Seen him helping around when the bakery was being fixed up for opening day.”

I hide my smile as I open the door. Maksim climbs out of his car, casually dressed in jeans and a henley.

For him, that's practically pajamas.

“Didn't know you were coming,” I say as he approaches.

He shrugs. “Day off. Thought I'd check on the kid.”

What he doesn't say—doesn't need to say—is that he's been keeping tabs on all of us. Making sure we're safe. He's been my best friend for years. Knows my weaknesses. Knows what losing Lilly and Chleo would do to me.

“Uncle Maksim!” Chleo shouts, barreling past me to greet him.

I raise an eyebrow. “Uncle?”

Maksim looks almost embarrassed. “Kid started calling me that. Didn't correct him.”

I watch as he crouches, lets Chleo climb on him like a jungle gym. This man—who I've seen snap necks without blinking—gently swings my son around, making monster noises that have Chleo screaming with delight.

Inside, Rosa's already making coffee. Moving around the kitchen like she owns it. Lilly sits at the counter, watching Chleo through the window.

“Hope you don't mind company,” I tell her, coming up behind her. My arms slide around her waist, pulling her back against my chest.

She leans into me. “Not at all. It's nice.”

Rosa sets coffee mugs in front of us, then calls out the door. “Coffee's ready if you boys are done roughhousing!”

Maksim carries Chleo in, the boy perched on his shoulders. His eyes land on Rosa, and I see something shift in his expression. Interest. Appreciation.

“Don't think we've been properly introduced,” he says, extending a hand to her. “Maksim.”

“Rosa.” She takes his hand, holds it a beat too long. “I know you. You were watching over this little monster.” She reaches up to tickle Chleo, who squeals.

“I was,” Maksim says, voice softer than I've ever heard it. “He told me you bought him dinosaur pajamas.”

“A boy needs his dinosaurs in times of crisis,” she says solemnly.

The corner of Maksim's mouth twitches. Almost a smile. For him, that's practically a declaration.

“Hungry, buddy?” I ask Chleo, breaking the moment.

“Starving,” he declares dramatically. “Could eat a whole elephant.”

“Fresh out of elephants,” I say. “How about pancakes?”

“Again?” Lilly laughs.

“Always pancakes!” Chleo shouts, bouncing on Maksim's shoulders.

So that's what we do. Make pancakes. All of us. Chleo “helps” by spilling flour everywhere. Rosa directs traffic in the kitchen, ordering Maksim around like he's a new recruit instead of a feared Bratva enforcer.

And he lets her.

Watching them—Maksim and Rosa teasing each other, Lilly and Chleo setting the table—makes for one the happiest memories of my life.

“Earth to Nikolai,” Lilly says, waving a hand in front of my face. “You okay?”

---