Page 49 of King of Malice
This would all be so much easier if I could just speak to Cadence. Straighten everything out. I’m ready to listen and, thanks to Dimitri, I’d go into the conversation with an open mind. Really hear what she needs to heal. I get that I wasn’t doing that before. My need to take care of her, was as much for me as it was for her. My own way of not facing my issues. But I’m ready to examine my past too.
Though I have a feeling the answer to me getting over my shit just kicked me out of his house. I close my eyes, Anna’s weight relaxing against me.
I hold her tighter, kissing the top of her head. “You’re wonderful, sweet Anna. Even if I never get to see you again, I just want you to know, that you’ve made me realize I want to have a baby of my own.”
I sigh into her hair. I really am going to have to get over my issues and get married for that, though. If I’m having a baby, that little boy or girl will have two parents. I could never risk a child being left alone in the world like I was.
Before I drift off to sleep, my last thought is that I’m going to have to find a way to properly apologize to Dimitri.
I doubt he’ll let me stay, but he has helped me tremendously. I can’t end it like this. I have to tell him how I feel and what he’s taught me even if that breaks my heart.
I don’t know how long I’m asleep, but I wake to the feeling that I’m being watched.
Anna is still asleep on my chest, but as I open my eyes, I find Dimitri standing over me, his arms crossed.
He’s in nothing but the boxer briefs I left him in last night.
“Her ear hurt,” I whisper. My eyes close again. I’m tired and comfortable.
Dimitri’s hand skims along my bare leg. “I didn’t make a mistake, trusting you with my daughter, did I?”
“I would never let anything hurt her.”
“How can I trust that?”
I shake my head. “I’ve been having that same issue. How can I trust what I see in you with what I know in my heart?”
“Fair,” he replies squatting down next to me, his hand settling on my thigh.
“But I am sorry,” I whisper. “You were right about some things and I…”
“Milaya,” he rumbles out and a bubble rises in my chest. He’s calling me sweetheart?
“Yes?” I ask, hopefully.
He pushes up, then slides his arms under me, pulling both me and Anna out of the chair.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re all sleeping in my bed,” he answers.
“Dimitri,” I start.
“We can talk more later. And I’m still furious. But I can’t sleep, and I’ve got to work tomorrow.”
I snuggle down in his arms. “You’re right. This is a good idea.”
“Tomorrow, we’re going to talk.”
“We can talk now.”
“No.” He walks into his room. “I just want some sleep, and you need yours.”
“Good enough for me.” I am in no position to argue. He sets me lightly on the bed, Anna still in my arms, then slides behind me, snuggling me into the curve of his body.
Pressed between them, I instantly relax into the embrace, falling back to sleep.
I don’t wake again until Anna does. With sleepy eyes, I look at the clock, realizing it’s after nine.
