Page 110 of Shattered Cradle (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Meaning you’re not obligated to spend a whole lot of time with the old man.”

I scoff. “Please. You think that fucker spent any time with me when I was a boy? He was only interested in molding me in his image. I was a business investment. I don’t have to be let off any hook, because I don’t feel any guilt. I got him the best care and that’s where my obligations end.”

Demyan raises his eyebrows. “Right. Okay then. Case closed.”

“How are things on your end?” I ask, changing the subject.

“You mean with my ex and my kid?”

“The big move was this past weekend, wasn’t it?”

“You remembered.” He gives me a grateful smile. “I went over with chocolates and said goodbye to her.”

“How’d it feel?”

“Like my heart was being ripped from my chest,” he says quietly. “It’s unnatural to watch your child drive off and know you’ll only see her once every couple of months.”

“I’ll fly you out there whenever you want.”

“I know that,” he says. “But it’s a different experience when you’re not with your kid’s mother anymore. People talk about always remaining a team, co-parenting or whatever, but it’s shit. You’re not really a family anymore. You’re the outsider, the unwanted visitor who pops in and interrupts their life every so often.”

“You’re not a visitor; you’re her father. That little girl loves you.”

“Only because she doesn’t know any better yet.” He takes a big sigh and runs his hand through his hair. “Miranda is dating someone.”

I can see the disappointment in Demyan’s eyes. He wants to act like it doesn’t bother him, but it does. He didn’t just break up with his partner; now, he has to watch another man step into his role.

“Who’s the guy?”

“Lang Britton. Thirty-six years old. His mother is Chinese. Father is American. Never been married, but he was engaged for a year in his twenties. He’s got a younger brother and a Labrador named Bentley.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You did a background check?”

“Of course I did a damn background check. Guy is clean as a whistle. Am I an asshole for being disappointed about that?”

I smile. “No.”

“He’s a good-looking son of a bitch, too.”

“That wouldn’t have been in a background check.”

“Miranda told me,” he says. “She pulled me aside and said she wanted me to hear it from her. She’s been involved with this guy for the last year. It’s pretty serious between them. She thinks they’ll end up together.”

“Is that the real reason behind the move?”

“She says no,” Demyan sighs bitterly. He runs his hand through his hair again, a sure sign he’s agitated. “Of course she would handle this in the classiest way possible. She even asked me if I wanted to meet him.”

“Did you?”

“Fuck no! I don’t wanna be friends with the asshole. I just want to know that he’s going to treat my girls well.”

“Girls?”

He reddens, embarrassment washing over his face for a second before he bats it away. “Miranda will always be my girl, too. Even if I fucked that up royally.”

“You’ve never admitted as much before.”

“Because I let my arrogance and pride take over,” he says. “But if I’d been smart about shit, I would have gone back, groveled at her feet, and given her whatever she wanted.”

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