69

EMMA

That evening, I get a thick brown envelope addressed to me from Kirill. It contains my new phone, a slip of paper with several numbers on it, a restraining order against Ben, and the most important thing of all: official court documents granting me temporary physical and legal custody of all three children.

There’s a handwritten note, too. I’ve spoken to a cop that we work with closely. He can make the missing persons reports go away. We’re gonna work on proving that Ben is an unfit guardian. Until then, you’ve got custody of the kids. –Kirill.

I’m reading through the note for the fourth time when the kids tumble into the kitchen clamoring for dinner.

“Auntie Em? You okay?” Josh asks as he slows to a walk.

“Yeah, honey. Just got some good news.”

“What is it? What is it?” Reagan chirps as Josh helps her up onto one of the high chairs around the island.

“Well, for right now, I have guardianship of you guys.”

Rae wrinkles her nose up. “What does that mean?”

“It means that I get to look after you guys.”

She doesn’t look impressed. “But that’s what you do now.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I give Josh a wink. “But now, it’s officially official.”

“I don’t get it,” Reagan says with a shrug. “Caro, do you get it?”

“Nuh-uh.”

“See, Auntie Em? No one gets it.”

Still giggling, I walk around to the stove where I’ve been shallow frying fish sticks for the kids. I spoon them on a flat plate and set it on the marble countertop.

“Fish sticks!” Reagan celebrates. “Yayyy!”

Caroline nods in enthusiastic agreement. “I love this place.”

I plop down beside Josh. “Listen, guys, I know you like it here—but it’s just temporary, okay? We can’t stay forever.”

“Why not?” Reagan asks. “Ruslan won’t mind.”

Where did all that certainty come from? How did he manage to convince them in such a short time that he is so utterly devoted to them?

“Ruslan lives in New York, honey,” I say gently. “And we need to leave it.”

“But why?”

“Because…” Breathe, Emma. You can do this. “Because I think it’s important that we make a fresh start somewhere new. Just the four of us.”

Caroline and Reagan exchange a confused glance. “But Auntie Em, what about Daddy?” Caroline asks.

I swallow. “Guys, your daddy… He’s going through something right now. He’s not really able to take care of you guys.”

Reagan frowns. “Is that why he’s so mad all the time?”

“That’s part of it, yes.”

Reagan’s little rosebud mouth turns down. “So… we’re not gonna see Daddy again?”

“I think probably not for a very long time, honey,” I admit. The honesty hurts even me to say, but we’ve had enough lies around here. I won’t raise them in the dark. They deserve to know as much as they’re capable of handling. And if I know anything, it’s that Sienna’s kids are strong.

Both girls look contemplative, unsure how to process that information. Ben’s always been around even if he wasn’t present. Even if he wasn’t always nice.

“I’m gonna draw Daddy a card,” Reagan pipes up abruptly. “A get well soon card. How’s that, Auntie Em?”

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “I think that’s a great idea, Rae. What about you, Caro? You wanna make a card for Daddy?”

She shakes her head. “No. He wasn’t always nice to Josh. Or Rae. Or me. I don’t wanna make him a card.”

I pat her hand. “Don’t worry; you don’t have to.”

“I’d rather make a card for the baby!” she adds.

I freeze. “W-what?”

Caroline transforms into a little bobblehead doll for a moment, blond bangs flapping on her forehead. “That’s a great idea right? I’m gonna do it.”

“Um, Caro, sweetheart… what baby are you talking about?”

“Your baby, silly!”

Just when the situation feels like it’s halfway under control, this happens. Aaand I’m back to square one.

Panic.

Fear.

Nerves.

“Yeah, that’s what the nurse in the hospital said,” Caroline babbles. She’s beaming from ear to ear. “Joshie said we shouldn’t say anything until…” She trails off when she realizes her big brother is glaring at her. “Oops!” She slaps her hands over her mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything until you told us. Josh said.”

I glance at Josh. “We heard the nurses talking,” he admits quietly. “I wasn’t sure if it was real or not. Are you having a baby?”

Forget what I just said about raising them with honesty—lying would be so much easier now. Of course, the moment my belly starts to pop, I’ll have some serious explaining to do.

They need to know they can trust you. Especially now.

“I am going to have a baby.”

Josh’s eyes go wide and the girls start whooping instantly. “I want a girl! I want a girl!” Caroline sing-songs.

“No!” Reagan snaps adamantly. “A boy!”

“Guys, listen.” It takes a while before the girls calm down. “Aunt Emma isn’t gonna have this baby for a really long time, okay? So I think it’s better, for right now, to keep it our little secret.”

The girls agree easily enough but Josh looks at me almost… accusingly? Almost… angrily?

No—I’m reading too much into it.

He’s just processing.

I hope.

RUSLAN

“… that model is too small. Let’s go for the bigger one. They’ve got a ton of books already and they’ll need the storage space.”

As Kirill jabbers, I rap my fingers against my desk impatiently. But he doesn’t seem to notice; he paces in front of me, listening and talking rapidly.

When he finally puts his phone down, I glare at him, waiting for an explanation. He calmly takes the chair opposite me, a sheepish expression on his face. “Should we talk about the security footage from Alcazar? There were a few anomalies—”

“What the fuck was that about?”

He tilts his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

I hate it when he plays dumb. Scowling, I narrow my eyes. “Kirill.”

He sighs. “Just getting some furniture in for Emma. She chose to camp out one of the guest bedrooms instead of the master. It needed furniture, so she ordered a couple of things. I’m just coordinating with the delivery team.”

I run a hand over my stubble jaw. “Glad to see she’s making herself comfortable.”

“Hey, it took some convincing on my part. I’m the one who told her to order whatever she wanted and said I would have it delivered.”

I glower at him. “Aren’t you ever-so-fucking generous with my money?”

I don’t know why I’m being a dick. The truth is, I don’t like the familiar way in which he refers to Emma. I don’t like the fact that he’s attempting to make her feel comfortable in my home as though it’s his. I don’t like the fact that he’s talked to her more in the last twenty-four hours than I have.

If this is what jealousy feels like, I want no fucking part of it.

“It’s not your money.”

My eyes snap to his. “What does that mean?”

“Exactly what I said. I wouldn’t use your accounts without your permission.”

“Then whose money are you using?”

“Mine, of course.”

What the fuck? “You’re using your own money to get Emma settled into the penthouse?”

“Kids need stuff, Ruslan.” He doesn’t look apologetic in the slightest. “They’re gonna be cooped up in that apartment for fuck knows how long. I wanted them to be entertained.”

“They’ve got three TVs to do the job.”

“They need books, toys, puzzles. They also need storage space for those things. I’m just making sure they have everything they need. I believe that order came from you.”

It did; I just didn’t think Kirill would run with it the way he has. “There’s no need to use your money. Use one of my accounts.”

“It’s fine,” Kirill replies flippantly. “I’ve got it covered.”

He’s got it covered. The beast inside me roars possessively. No other man should be taking care of Emma’s needs but me. Even if it is as inconsequential as bedsheets and extra towels.

“If anyone’s gonna cover the cost of Emma’s needs, it’s me.”

He’s quiet for a moment, face neutral. If he smiles, I’m gonna fucking punch it right off of him. Lucky for him, he doesn’t. “Alright. Whatever you say, boss.” He whistles under his breath as his gaze sweeps around the room and he twiddles his thumbs in his lap. When his eyes finally meet mine again, he exhales. “Brother, if you stare at me any longer, you’re gonna bore a hole through my face.” He uncrosses his legs. “Something bothering you?”

“How often do you go over to the penthouse?”

“Which one?”

“Don’t be cute.”

He chuckles. “Every morning. Unless, of course, Emma needs something and then I’ll drop by in the evening, too.”

“Stay long, do you?”

He knows where I’m going with this but he doesn’t skip a beat before he answers. “Sometimes. The kids get bored being cooped up indoors all the time. Spent an hour with them yesterday building a Lego castle.”

That’s my fucking territory is my first thought.

My second is, Am I that easily replaced?

“It was actually pretty fun,” he continues nonchalantly. “Those girls are hilarious. I don’t know how Emma juggles all three. She’s really got a way with them, though.”

“Seems they’re not the only ones she’s got a way with,” I rumble.

Kirill rolls his eyes. “You serious, man?”

“You do seem to enjoy spending time with them,” I point out. “Did you stay for dinner?”

Kirill cocks his head to the side. The bastard’s fucking goading me now. “Emma was making roast chicken. What was I supposed to do, say no?”

“Yes,” I hiss. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. She’s fucking using you.”

I burst out of my chair and storm to the door.

“Where are you going?” Kirill calls out after me.

“To put a fucking stop to it,” I yell back.

By the time I get to the Madison penthouse, I’ve worked myself up into a frenzy. I should have known better. The woman played me like a piano in order to sell me out to the sleaziest goddamn reporter in New York City. Of course she’s capable of this.

Fool me once—shame on you.

Fool me twice—and you better fucking watch your back because I’m gonna make you pay.

I walk over to the elevators imagining all the different ways I’d punish her. Maybe I’ll choke her with my cock. Maybe I’ll slap her ass raw. Maybe I’ll tie her to the bed with a vibrator strapped to her thigh and leave her there ‘til morning. The thoughts whizz through my head, each reinforced with a very vivid memory of doing something very, very similar once upon a time.

I punch in the access code furiously.

ACCESS DENIED.

Fucking hell. She’s locked me out of my own apartment. Sure, I told her she could, but still—not the right time.

I tap in the direct number for the penthouse and listen as the line rings. A moment later, Josh answers. “Kirill, is that you?”

I see red until I clear my throat. “It’s me, Josh.”

“Ruslan!”

ACCESS GRANTED.

That was fast. No follow-up questions. No are you really Ruslan or are you just pretending to be so that you can gain access to the penthouse and come abduct us all?

I’m gonna have to have a chat with that kid.

Right after I have a chat with his aunt.

Except she’s nowhere to be seen when I march into the entry gallery. Josh is the only one waiting for me. “I knew you’d come sooner or later!” he crows in delight.

It’s enough to make me feel terrible for staying away this long. Emma deserves to be punished. Doesn’t mean the kids do. Although my decision to stay away had less to do with punishing Emma and more to do with trying to rein in my weaker instincts.

Kissing her that night at the motel from hell was a mistake. It opened up a whole Pandora’s box that I need to shut back down again. The only way I’ve figured out to do that is distance.

And masturbation.

Lots of both.

“Where’s Emma?” I grit out past my clenched teeth.

“She’ll be out soon. She’s in her room, I think. You want something to drink?”

“Just water,” I say, if only to get myself some distance from the hope in his eyes.

A few seconds after he’s disappeared into the kitchen, the girls find me in the living room. “Ruslan!” they cry in unison. I’m tackled around the waist and as per usual, take a glancing hit to the balls before either one calms down.

“How’ve you two been?”

Caroline smiles. “Good! Uncle Kiki brings us new toys every day.”

Uncle Kiki. Yeah. That’s gonna have to stop.

“Where’s your aunt?”

Reagan’s little bottom lip sticks out. “She’s sick. She’s throwing up all over the bathroom.”

“Ew, Rae. Don’t be gross.”

“But it’s true.”

“I’m sure it’s just a stomach bug,” I comfort Rae, running my hand over her downy hair.

“It’s not a stomach bug!” she insists passionately. “It’s the baby. The baby’s making Aunt Emma puke all over the bathroom.”

“Reagan!”

My eyes snap up to find Josh by the entry way with my glass of water. His jaw is hanging open.

So is mine.

Did she just say baby?

Reagan looks between me and Josh. She’s chewing on her bottom lip like Emma does when she’s nervous. “Oh no… it was supposed to be a secret. Don’t tell Aunt Emma I told you, okay, Ruslan? Please? Pretty please?”

My gaze veers to Josh again. His expression is all the confirmation I need.

For fuck’s sake.

Emma is pregnant.

And she was gonna skip town without telling me.

Yeah? Well, she can kiss that plan goodbye. Because she’s not leaving in a month.

She’s not leaving ever.

I turn and storm out of the penthouse immediately. As I go, I pick up my phone and dial Kirill’s number. “Called to compliment me on making such a fantastic Lego castle?” he says when he answers. “Or is this an apology call for being such an asshole earlier?”

“I’m transferring Emma and the kids to my estate,” I snap instead of answering his questions. “Make the necessary arrangements. They’ll be moving in tomorrow.”

There’s a beat of silence. “Sure thing, boss. Everything okay?”

Great fucking question.

I wish I had an answer to it.