Page 19 of The Bratva's Nanny

“Daddy, Daddy, Alix and I are going to have a picnic. We were supposed to have one yesterday but the stupid rain stopped it.”

“Don’t say stupid,” Dmitry said.

For some reason, Alix couldn’t help but smile at his reprimand of his daughter. This was a man who she had heard curse in pretty much every sentence he used, or at least some of his conversation.

“But, Daddy, the rain is silly.” Sofia stuck her bottom lip out and Alix felt so sorry for her. She’d been excited about her picnic.

“I’ll go and check if our picnic is ready,” Alix said, interrupting the father/daughter conversation.

“Please, Daddy, please. Alix and I would love you to stay.”

Dmitry turned his gaze toward her. “I don’t know if there will be room for me.”

“There’s always room at a picnic,” Alix said.

“Then yes, count me in.”

While Sofia celebrated, Alix went toward the kitchen for the picnic she had ordered. On the way toward the kitchen which was around the corner of the building where the double doors were open, she spotted a man she had never seen before. He had a cigarette and was staring up at the house. He wasn’t wearing a suit, but looked casual, as if he owned the place, and the moment she saw him, she didn’t like it. He hadn’t seen her.

She stepped back toward the direction she had come, and immediately headed toward Dmitry with Sofia. He had his little girl in his arms, but as he saw her, he put her down on the floor, holding her hand. Alix went straight to his side.

“There’s a man, he’s not dressed like any of your other soldiers, and he’s looking at the house, and I don’t know what to do.”

Dmitry nodded toward two of his men standing guard at the house, and then placed Sofia’s hand within hers. “Take her inside.”

“Daddy, the picnic.”

“We’ll have the picnic later.”

He wasn’t in a good mood, not anymore.

Alix wasn’t going to take any chances. She lifted Sofia up into her arms and carried her into the house, going straight toward the sitting room. She had seen a few hiding spots throughout the house where she could take Sofia.

“What’s going on?” Sofia asked, starting to sound fearful.

“Don’t you think it would be pretty cool if we played hide-and-seek with your daddy?” Alix asked, wanting to distract the girl. She didn’t like any of this.

Her heart raced but she knew she had to be strong for Sofia. She couldn’t give in to the fear swirling in her stomach. This was the first time she’d ever been truly afraid. She hadn’t even been scared when Dmitry came to collect her. Seeing him at her door, she had been more intrigued than scared. Once she realized why, she was pissed off with her now ex-husband.

“Daddy will find us?”

“Yes, of course he will.”

“But the picnic?” Sofia asked, her bottom lip stuck out as she pouted.

Alix pulled her in for a hug. “Don’t you worry. We’re going to enjoy that picnic, with the peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate cake, and those little pies you wanted.”

Sofia had a love for cheese tartlets. The chef made them so small for Sofia, and she absolutely loved them. Alix had watched her pop one into her mouth and do a little dance as if she was the happiest girl in the world. It was adorable.

“Yay. I love pies.” Sofia leaned forward and then giggled.

Alix couldn’t help but be affected by her cheerfulness. She was so cute.

“When will Daddy come?” Sofia asked. “I’m hungry.”

“Soon, very soon. Why don’t we start making up stories?” she said. She had to really think of the best way to distract Sofia and herself.

Glancing across the room, she saw it was a little after twelve. It was indeed lunchtime.

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