Page 61 of Surprise Quadruplets for the Mob

There’s a car sitting in the driveway when we get back, and the guard who stayed behind seems to be questioning the driver.

“Who the hell is that?” Maggie whispers, clutching my arm as we get closer. “Should we run around to the back of the house? I want to check on my babies.”

I’ve almost agreed when I recognize the man behind the wheel. “Wait, no.” I motion for the security guards and wave them away. “It’s okay, guys. I know him.”

Maggie turns to me, wide-eyed. “You do?”

“It’s the IT guy who works for Maks.” I sigh, my stomach already up as I try to brace myself for whatever is about to happen. “I’ll deal with him.”

Alyosha looks almost relieved to see me when the security guards back away. It’s the closest I’ve seen him come to a smile since I met the guy. “What do you need?” I ask without any pretense of politeness. As far as I’m concerned, I can’t trust anyone but my sister these days.

“Our security guys left some of their equipment behind,” he explains, already getting out of the car. “I need to get it back, for obvious reasons. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

I’m reluctant to let him in, but what else am I going to do? Maks and his men are dangerous. I might not like Alyosha, but I can’t exactly hold a grudge against him for being loyal to his boss. And right now, I’m trying to avoid making any waves.

“Fine,” I grumble, unlocking the door and waving him inside. “Make it quick, please.”

He gives a curt nod, his face expressionless as usual, and follows me into the house. Maggie’s waiting for us, a wary look on her face.

“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “He’s not staying. He’s just picking up something.”

“What is it?” she asks, looking as confused as I feel.

Alyosha ignores her, heading straight for the home office that his guys used as a sort of command center while they were here briefly, keeping track of things while Maggie was at the safehouse, in case anyone of interest tried to break in that they could question. Maggie and I follow, and we find himrummaging through the closet, pulling out cords and boxes and I don’t even know what else.

“Have you spoken to Maks?” I ask, the question escaping my lips before I can stop myself. “About what happened between me and him?”

He nods, and I’m suddenly grateful for the unexpected source of information.

“What did he say?”

“Not much.” Alyosha shrugs as he gathers his things. “I think he feels bad about how things went down between the two of you, though.”

Maggie clears her throat and I’m pretty sure she’s trying to tell me something, but I’m totally focused on Alyosha right now. “He said that? That he feels bad?”

The man gives me a knowing look. “You know better than that. He would never come right out and say it, but I think that’s how he feels.”

I exhale, feeling like the wind has just been knocked out of me. “Wow. Do you think he’d agree to talk to me? Or to see the kids?”

Another shrug. “Dunno, but I can ask if you want.”

Alyosha wouldn’t be my first choice for an ally who could plead my case, but he’s my best hope at the moment. “Could you? You wouldn’t mind?”

“I’ll mention it to him. If you hear from him later, you’ll know it went well. If not…”

“Then I haven’t lost anything in trying,” I finish for him.

We walk Alyosha back out to his car and see him off. Maggie shoots me a worried look as we walk back into the house. “Do you trust that guy? Something about him gave me the creeps.”

I have no idea if Alyosha can be trusted or not, but he’s my best shot at getting Maks to talk to me. “It doesn’t really matter. He’s the only option I’ve got right now.”

Maggie sighs. “Well, at least you’re taking some action. I’ve been afraid you were going to give up.”

“So was I,” I admit. “But not anymore. Not after hearing that. We’re not going down without a fight, not me and those babies.”

She smiles. “Good. That’s what I want to hear.”

Now I just have to cross my fingers and hope Maks will call. I have a feeling the next few hours might be torture.

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