Page 47 of Surprise Quadruplets for the Mob

“Is that what you want?” Nadia asks, a note of surprise in her voice.

“No.” I look out the window again, my jaw clenched. “I’ve told her the truth about what I do. How I make money. What I’m capable of.”

“And?”

“I think she can handle it.” I pause, then add, “Mostly. I think she can, but…”

“But what,moy syn?”

“She has a sister,” I remind her. “Maggie. Her parents are gone. Maggie and her twins are the only family Abby has left.”

“Oh, right.” Nadia’s voice is soft. “Of course.”

“I’m the one putting them all in danger, whether Abby likes it or not. And she knows it. Maggie is just an ordinary person, and the kids….”

“They’re babies,” Nadia says, her eyes widening. “Do you really think her sister’s family is in that much danger?”

“Yes.” There’s no hesitation. No doubt. “If something happens to Maggie or the twins because of me, Abby will never forgive me.”

Nadia looks at me thoughtfully. “Do you think that would change the way she feels about you? You can’t control the actions of others. She knows that, doesn’t she?”

“She does, but…” I sigh, running a hand over my face. “It’s complicated. I can’t stop thinking about the worst-case scenario. If the twins or Maggie get hurt, Abby won’t just be angry. She’ll be destroyed. And the fact that I’m the reason it happened…fuck, I can’t stand the thought of hurting her like that.”

“So what will you do?” Nadia asks. “Would you let her go? Let her leave and be with her sister?”

“We’ve tried that already.” I shake my head. “Too dangerous. Especially with the Irish out there stirring up trouble, whether they’re on pause now or not. And especially now that all that trouble is going on with the scammers… There’s a connection somewhere, a reason they’re so interested in getting to Abby. Until I find out what that connection is, nobody is safe. Nobody.”

“Then what?” Nadia presses. “You can’t expect her to stay here forever.”

“I know.” I exhale, feeling frustrated. “I’ll have to figure something out. I need to protect them, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

Nadia’s smile is soft and full of understanding. “I know you will,moy syn. But please, take care of yourself, too. I want you to be happy. With Abby. With the children.”

“I know,” I say again, wishing things could be different.

“Have you told her how you feel?”

“No. Not exactly.”

“Why not?”

I look at her, surprised. “Because she doesn’t need to worry about that, too. She has enough on her plate already.”

Nadia smiles and gives my arm a light squeeze. “Maybe. But sometimes, a little extra reassurance is just what we need.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “I’ve never been good at this sort of thing. You know that.”

“I do.” Nadia smiles. “But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a try.”

“What if it’s not enough?” I ask, voicing the fear that’s been weighing on me for weeks. “What if it isn’t enough to keep her here? To keep her safe? What if she wants something else?”

“You won’t know unless you ask.” Nadia’s voice is gentle. “I think you owe it to yourself and to her to be honest,moy syn. No matter what happens.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say, not wanting to make any promises I can’t keep.

Nadia nods, accepting my answer. She’s never been one to push, even when I was a stubborn kid. “Good.”

“For what it’s worth,” I say, glancing back out the window. “I hope I’m making the right decision.”

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