Page 48 of Surprise Quadruplets for the Mob

“You’re a good man. I’m sure you will be.”

With that, Nadia leaves, and I’m alone with my thoughts again.

Chapter 23

Abby

Ihear a door open and close somewhere behind me and see two of Maksim’s guys, Vlad and Dimitri, come walking out, huddled in a quiet conversation. They both make eye contact with me, and I feel my blood run cold.

These guys are killers. They’re ruthless and cold-blooded, and the way they’re looking at me right now is a reminder that no place is safe for me and my babies. Not even the very heart of Maksim’s safehouse.

My first instinct is to gather up my babies and haul ass inside, but that’s easier said than done. Gathering up quadruplets requires a little more planning, and then there isn’t any hauling ass anywhere. It’s more of a slow, steady procession that definitely won’t deter a couple of hardened criminals from hurting us if that’s what they really want to do.

Not that I honestly think Dimitri or Vlad would do anything here, within earshot of Maksim’s window, but still. Just the fact that they could is unsettling, to say the least.

Dimitri nods in my direction. “You have a beautiful family. Your kids remind me of my own when they were that age.” He pauses and offers a crooked smile. “I didn’t have quite as many, though.”

The tiny bit of unexpected humor catches me off guard, and I laugh in spite of myself. “How old are they now?”

“Grown.” He smiles a little wider. “Twenty and twenty-two.”

“Close in age, must have been like having twins?”

“A year apart, but still a handful.” Dimitri laughs. He takes a couple of steps closer and sits down on a bench a few feet away. “I remember when they were toddlers, always trying to run around and get into trouble. It was exhausting.”

“Exhausting is the perfect word,” I laugh, reaching down to pick up little Olga, who’s starting to fuss as she wriggles in the grass next to me. “These four are just starting to sleep through the night, so that’s been a relief. There were weeks when I seriously felt like the walking dead, just trying to stay upright.”

Dimitri chuckles. “Yeah, I remember that feeling.”

“Were they both boys or did you have a girl and a boy?”

“One of each,” he says with a nod. “My daughter was a little princess and my son was the wild one. He never stopped moving. It was always, ‘Papa, watch this!’ or, ‘Papa, come play!’”

“They sound adorable,” I say, meaning it. “I’m looking forward to the day when these four start talking. Looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time, if I’m being completely honest.”

Both men laugh, and Vlad gives me a sympathetic look. “Enjoy these years while you can. My kids are grown, too, and I can’t tell you how much I miss the days when my wife and I could bundle them up and keep them safe and sound all the time.”

Their words are a reminder that no matter how nice these two guys might be—and they do seem nice, now that I’m talking to them—they still live dangerous lives. Criminal lives. And while they might not ever hurt me, there’s no question in my mind that they hurt other people for a living.

People like Booker Carlson and the other men who are after us.

It’s a sobering reminder, but a necessary one.

“Do you have grandchildren yet?” I ask, knowing they’re probably too young, but still trying to make polite conversation.

“No,” Dimitri laughs. “My son is a junior at university, and my daughter is still in high school. No time for grandkids yet.”

“How long have you worked for Maks?” Their smiles fade and I sort of regret the question as soon as it leaves my mouth, but I am genuinely curious. “Sorry if that’s, um, not something we’re supposed to talk about.”

Dimitri shakes his head. “Don’t worry. You haven’t crossed any lines. We haven’t worked for Maksim for very long, but both our fathers worked for his father.”

Vlad nods. “It was never a question that we’d continue the family business. Family is the most important thing in the world to us. To Maks, too.”

That’s reassuring to hear, at least. Even if the way they talk about the family business makes my skin crawl a little.

“That’s true,” Dimitri agrees. “I can’t speak for everyone, but most of the guys around here know what’s what. We’re loyal to Maks. To the family.”

Vlad nods, echoing Dimitri’s sentiment. “We’re not out to hurt innocent people. If anything, our goal is to help the right people and stop the wrong ones. There’s a lot of bad shit going on out there, but Maks has a plan for taking it down.”

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