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I get up and hug her tight, she hugs me tighter, and I go into my room, into the small closet, and reach for the locked box. I enter the code, which is my wedding day, reach for the pistol I have in there, making sure I have bullets. I place it in the back of my jean shorts, then go find Mila. I walk into her room and she's sitting at her little, white coloring table, drawing a ballerina or trying to. I remind myself I'm doing this for her; I'm about to lie to her for her own good. It has to be done, or she'll be next. I walk over to her, placing my hand on the top of her head before running it down her hair, playing with it a little, and kissing her.
"Malyshka, mamma has just been called into work. I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know it's pizza night, but Aunt April and her friend Greg will stay with you. Is that okay? I know how much you want to meet him." Even though they haven't been together long, April and Greg have known each other since middle school; it just took them this long to get together, so I know he's safe. Mila looks up at me and grins widely. She has wanted to meet Greg all week. I know it's because she wants a male figure in her life, and maybe soon she'll have her father, if we can get our act together. I know things are about to change drastically tonight. I want Damian to be her dad, but I know I won't be able to trust him with my heart again, so I don't know how things will work out quite yet. I might even die tonight. A lump forms in my throat.
It's for her, I keep telling myself.
"Okay, mama, ti amo." My heart skips a beat.
"I love you too, baby." Then, I turn and walk into the living room. April stands up from the couch when she sees me.
She asks, "Same protocol?"
I shake my head.
"He knows about her now, so if something happens to me, he'll want her. Let him sign the documents, then hand her to him. I don't want you hurt, okay?"
She nods solemnly. "You know I'd take her and run with her. I'd die for you both." Tears fill her eyes, and I hug her.
"I'll text if all is okay," I say, and she nods. I turn and walk out of the apartment, because if I don't go now, then I won't go at all. This is for her safety.
I get to my car, and once I get in, I head to the Maryland Hotel, which is only fifteen minutes away. I looked at the time: 5:05 PM. Good, she should be there now, and she won't expect me!
I take my time, thinking about how to do this. I know there will be guards but they should just let me up, hopefully, without informing my family. The timing has to be perfect. I see the sign, and I stick left. I find a space near the back of the parking lot and park. I grip the steering wheel tight and breathe deep in my nose and out of my mouth several times before I finally get the courage to go into the hotel. I walk across the lot, keeping my eyes peeled. Once I enter the double doors, one of my father's guards stops me. He narrows his eyes into slits, looking me up and down.
"What can I do for you, miss?" It looks like Antonio doesn't recognize me. Should I feel insulted? He used to look after me as a child. Yeah, I'm offended.
I scowl, then raise a brow at him and say, "Mrs. Volkov." His eyes widen. He steps back in shock, and I scowl at him again. The commotion gets the attention of Ilya, one of my husband's top guards. He was one of the nice ones to me.
"Sofia, is that really you?" I smile at him and walk over to him. I lean in and give him a peck on the cheek.
"Hi, Ilya. How are you, your wife, and your little girl doing good? Did you finally manage to knock her up with a boy?" I ask with a little laugh, and he smiles brightly.
"Yeah, I did, twice, one right after the other, a proud moment. I’m an overachiever, I guess." I laugh.
"I've come to see my family. I told Damian this morning I'd pop by tonight. Is that okay?"
He smiles wider. "Yes, of course. Do you want me to call up, or are you surprising them?" He was sometimes a bit dense where I was concerned. Clearly, he still can't see through my lies though he can everyone else's. He's still lovely.
"Surprise."
He nods.
Antonio is still looking at me wide-eyed, his mouth hanging open. I walk over to him and push his mouth shut.
"I'm not a ghost, Antonio. I ran away after I found out I was pregnant with a little girl. We all know I was used for an alliance; I didn't want that for my girl." He frowns, nods solemnly, and then gives me a quick hug. He used to watch me as a child before Damian's men started to take over, and I think I can forgive him for not recognizing me.
I hug him tightly, and he whispers, "You've been missed dearly, principessa."
I nod, then peck him on the cheek and turn to walk toward the elevators with Ilya. He scans his card, and it opens.
"There you go, hun."
I smile, say my thanks, and go in, pressing the penthouse button, then wait. It doesn't take long, and once the elevator pings and the doors open, I walk into the large foyer, then I stop and listen. I hear my father, and my heart beats fast in my chest.
“For Mila,”I keep chanting in my head, following the voices.
They're all in the living area; Damian is leaning against the kitchen counter, and his parents and Alexandr are standing behind it, while my dad is standing in front of me, his back toward me, shouting at my mother, who is sitting next to her guard dog on the gray couch underneath the window.
No one has noticed me yet, but my eyes are trained on my mother and her guard.
