Page 166 of Bratva and Betrayal: Kirill

She dives into them, and I want to break down.

I wanted her. I didn’t leave her. It’d been torture these past two months not knowing. But Lourdes was right. My heart didn’t change.

“Look, I drew us.” She wiggles out of my hold and takes out a drawing from her red paper folder. “That’s Daddy, me, and now you!”

In black crayon, she drew Kirill wearing a suit. His shoes are nearly as big as his head, he has orange hair for some reason, and no face. I stifle a giggle. I’m in a yellow dress that looks very short and no shoes for me. In fact, I don’t have feet at all. I have a face at least, and I’m looking down at Violet. She drew herself with tight black curls that are past her little butt, which they’re not. She’s in her school uniform. And like me, she has legs but no feet.

“This is beautiful.” I hold it to my chest.

“Can we put it on the refrigerator when we get home?” She bounces and spins.

“Sure.” I brush her face and look for Gale. “We’re supposed to have a playdate with Emily.”

“Emily went home early again.” She makes a pensive face. “She had another episode.”

“Then we need to check on her to make sure she’s okay.”

“Let’s bring her some ice cream.” She grips my hand and pulls me to the car.

A couple of hours after our afternoon with Emily, Violet climbs back into the SUV looking very satisfied that our visit made little Emily feel better.

When we get back to Iron Keep, Violet runs into the kitchen where Nadia is preparing a snack.

I find a magnet for the refrigerator and stick her picture under it. But it drops to the floor.

“Oh no!” Violet picks it up.

“The stainless isn’t magnetic,” the nanny says.

“Then I’ll get one that is,” Kirill remarks from the doorway.

I stand up and look at him. His coat is buttoned all the way to the collar, and his face is stoic.

“Daddy! I drew us.” Violet runs to him.

He keeps his eyes on me until he looks down at Violet. “That’s beautiful.”

With a kiss on her forehead, his eyes return to me. They’re neutral.

“Violet, have your snack,” the nanny says, setting a plate of crackers and fruit on the kitchen table with a cup of milk.

She hands me the picture and skips to the table. The nanny sits with her and reads more of her book. Violet watches minimal television, and she has no access to electronics. No baby tablet. No kiddie phone.

Kirill approaches me and reaches for my hand. “Let’s talk.”

Nodding, I follow him through the corridors, up the stairs, and into our bedroom.

Inside, Kirill holds me against the door. “Ares’s phone is secure. But yours is not. Not from me.”

My heart takes a tumble. “You heard?”

“Every word. You told Lourdes about your father.”

“She deserved to know.” I stare him down. “I defended you.”

“You did, wife. I’m honored.” He kisses my knuckles. “But Ares still wants to take you away from me. Again,” he says through strained teeth.

I grip Kirill’s collar. “And I said no.”