Page 67 of Mountain Daddy

"I thought you might need some time to process what you saw. Chleo was safe with Maksim."

"Safe?" My voice cracks. "Safe with a complete stranger?"

The man—Maksim—stands smoothly. He moves like Nikolai does. Like violence is always an option, just waiting to be unleashed.

"I apologize for the informal introduction," he says, his accent slight but unmistakable.Russian.

"You should have left my son at daycare where he belongs!"

"Mama?" Chleo's voice is small, confused. "Are you angry? Did I do something wrong?"

My heart breaks. None of this is his fault. He's five years old, playing with toy cars. Completely unaware that his world just shifted on its axis.

"No, baby. You didn't do anything wrong." I kneel down beside him, check him over with my eyes. "Are you okay? Did you have fun with... Maksim?"

"He's really nice. And he brought snacks!"

Snacks. Like this is a playdate instead of... whatever this is.

"Maksim," Nikolai says, "meet Lilly. Lilly, this is my oldest friend. My brother in everything but blood."

Brother. This isn't just a friend. This is someone Nikolai trusts completely. Someone who's part of whatever world Nikolai comes from.

And he's been alone with my son.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you properly," Maksim says. "Nikolai speaks of you often."

"Does he." It's not a question.

"Only good things," Maksim assures me with a smile that's probably meant to be reassuring.

It's not.

Because now I know. This isn't just aboutNikolai and me anymore. This is about Nikolai's world intersecting with mine. With my son's.

And once that line is crossed, there's no going back.

"Chleo," I say carefully, "why don't you go wash your hands for dinner?"

He pouts but obeys, disappearing down the hallway toward the bathroom.

The moment he's out of earshot, I turn on both men.

"Get out."

Maksim raises an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Both of you. Get out of my house. Stay away from my son."

"Lilly—" Nikolai starts.

"No." My voice shakes with rage and fear. "My son is five years old. And I will not let your world touch him."

Maksim looks at Nikolai.

"Perhaps I should go," Maksim says finally. "Allow you two to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," I snap.

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