Page 73 of Den of Thieves

“I feel like we missed something important.”

“What do you mean?”

“I-I don’t know. I feel uneasy. Like this will be our last bit of happiness for a while.”

This feeling’s been bubbling in her chest for the last couple of days. She thought it would go away with time, but her anxiety had only intensified. Karina turned around in time to catch Vladimir’s frown.

“Have you been dealing with that witch again? Remember, her visions are only glimpses into the future and not permanent.”

Karina knew Vladimir didn’t love Saba coming around. But she hadn’t been wrong yet.

“I haven’t seen Saba in weeks. Just call this a woman’s intuition.” She wound her arms around his waist and Vladimir looked at her with a tenderness he rarely showed to anyone.

“The war is over, Solynchnka. I will do whatever it takes to make sure you and our children are safe from harm.”

Karina sighed. She didn’t have the words to convey how she felt. It was more like a tingling feeling that you get when you forget something, but your keys, wallet, and phone are in your hands. Only when you return home after a long day, you realize that you left the milk sitting out on the counter, the trashcan’s lid open, and the entire place smells like garbage.

“I love that you will do anything to protect us, Vlad. But who is going to protect you?”

“I am strong enough to handle anything this life throws as me and come out on the other side alive and well.”

The knot in her stomach only sank further. She looked into his blue eyes and tried to find solace in his embrace. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

Instead of arguing her point further, she let herself be led down the marbled hallways and into their room. That night, after they made love, she cuddled to his side and held him tight until sleep pulled her under.

27. “Here I Was… Thinking Magic Didn’t Exist,”

-A.R. ASHER

Nikolai flew Jonah and Sydney out to Disney World to have fun with Anastasia, Alexander, and Artym. Jonah was a shy boy, but he loved his cousins. It didn’t take much encouragement for him to come out of his shell and get caught up in their schemes. They arrived at Gustaf’s estate this morning and the four of them have been inseparable since.

Sydney was the disciplinarian between the two. Nikolai couldn’t bear to tell his son no. But unlike his cousins, the boy never took advantage of his father’s kindness.

“Disney! Disney!” Anastasia and Alexander chanted from the middle of the van while Jonah and Artym clapped their hands.

“Disney World? That’s where you’re taking us? You do realize these theme parks are breeding grounds for kidnapping and human trafficking, right?” Sydney deadpanned, once the Sprinter van passed through the entrance.

Nikolai patted her hand. He was happy that he and Sydney sat in the back of the large Sprinter furthest away from Karina, Vladimir, and the kids. Gustaf and Emilda rode in a separate car, much to the poor woman’s displeasure. “Let the children have their memories. Also, who is stupid enough to take anything of Vladimir’s?”

“Me,” she said quietly.

Nikolai looked at Sydney, but she was looking at Jonah. “He really is a great kid. I don’t regret what I did because I got him.”

“Syd—” Nikolai started, but she interrupted him. He forgave her a long time ago. He just wished she could forgive herself.

“If I don’t say this now, another three years will pass before I work up the nerve to again.” She sighed. “Before the cancer, I was a shell of a person. People weren’t people to me. They were dollar signs or a means to an end. Almost dying was my karma. For some reason, you didn’t kill me that day at the hotel. And for that, I am grateful. I am sorry for hurting you. But never for Jonah. He’s life’s greatest gift.”

“Sydney—” he tried again, but she forged on, intent on ignoring him.

“I love you Nikolai Kovalyov.”

Nikolai cut off the rest of her confession with a chaste kiss. When he pulled back, Sydney was still rooted in place, gaping, and blinking at him. Neither of them realized that the van stopped, and the kids were busy climbing over each other to be the first one out.

“Sorry, but you wouldn’t shut up… and I know.” He shrugged.

“You know?!”

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