Page 51 of The Bratva King

"Did you sleep well?"

Like a freaking baby on a cloud.

"I did. Thank you again for letting us stay for a couple of nights."

I sip my coffee, letting the caffeine hit my veins. Trying to enjoy how good it is without feeling guilty that someone else provided it.

"I'm going to reach out to a shelter today," I say. "There's one off Flamingo that takes families. I called once a few months ago. They had a waitlist, but things change." I take another sip of coffee. It’s only then that I realize how unfairly hot he looks. Well, good morning, Mr. GQ cover model. I haven’t even brushed my teeth. I’m wearing leggings and a loose shirt, and I’m very aware of the contrast.

As he watches me drink my coffee, I become even more aware of myself.

“I really do appreciate this,” I say. “It’s very comfortable. Luke thinks your house is amazing.”

I smile, thinking of how thrilled Luke had been last night. We took advantage of the cinema room, eating popcorn and watching SpongeBob on the big screen. He ate all his dinner and slept through the night.

“Stay.”

“Thank you, but I can’t. I don’t take charity.”

“It’s not charity.”

“Then what is it?”

“Help. Protection.”

I don’t know what to make of him. I’ve spent the past five years learning to read people quickly because my life depended on it, but Nikolai is unreadable.

“I’ll figure out something,” I say. “I always do.”

“You don’t have to figure it out. It’s figured out. Stay.”

The sound of small footsteps in the hallway startles me. I check the time. It’s early for Luke. And we stayed up a little later than usual last night.

Luke comes around the corner in his pajamas, the ones with the small dinosaurs printed on them that are slightly too short in the leg. His hair is sticking up on one side. He’s dragging his blanket behind him, and Galina is two steps back, moving at his pace.

He stops in the doorway and looks at me.

I set down my coffee and go to him.

“What are you doing up so early?” I ask.

I scoop him up, put one arm under his legs, and pull him against me. He tucks his head under my chin, and I feel the particular relief that only comes from having him in my arms.

I press my mouth to the top of his head. He smells like the expensive shampoo from the bathroom.

“You weren’t there,” he says.

I hold him a little tighter, guilt pressing in. “I know. I’m sorry, buddy. I was getting breakfast for you.”

I realize we’re not alone. I’m not used to that.

“Is there cereal?” Luke whispers.

Nikolai hears him. “There is. Do you like cereal?”

Luke lifts his head from my shoulder and makes eye contact with Nikolai. He nods once.

“Come,” Nikolai says.