Page 92 of Bratva and Betrayal: Kirill

Why are these feelings for her so unexpected?

Before I make too much of it, I return to the first floor and ask Milia, the cook, to make enough chicken soup for Violet and Sandrine. I check the refrigerator for juice and pour some into a plastic cup.

When I return to Violet’s room, I see Sandrine is already in the bathroom going through her medicine cabinet. She comes out and sees me standing there with the juice.

A smile stretches out between us. We’re taking care of our daughter together.

Violet stirs in bed, her small body restless beneath the covers.

“Mommy,” she whines.

“I’m here, sweetie.” Sandrine moves immediately, her eyes torn away from mine. “You need your medicine,” she says gently, leaning down to check her temperature with her lips on Violet’s forehead. “You’re still warm.”

“Soup is coming,” I say, watching Sandrine closely as she pours the liquid with careful precision.

When she lifts the cup to Violet’s lips, my daughter asks with a scratchy voice, “Is it the cherry flavor?”

“This one is grape.”

“I want the cherry flavor.”

I step forward ready to intervene, but Sandrine has it covered.

“It’s just as tasty,” she murmurs. “You’ll like it.”

Violet sits up and obeys. “Okay, Mommy.”

Seeing how she trusts Sandrine without question tugs at something deeper in my heart, something that feels dangerously close to awe.

She’s perfect with my daughter.

Our daughter.

When the medicine cup is empty, Sandrine smiles. “There you go.”

She sets it on the nightstand and brushes her fingers lightly over Violet’s cheek. A soft smile curves her lips as my daughter sinks back into the pillows, her eyes already growing heavy again.

“Have some juice, solnyshko.” I hand her the cup with the same care even though she’s perfect at drinking from her own cups now.

When it’s empty, she hands it back.

“You need to stay in bed.” I press a kiss to Violet’s forehead. “Your mother is right. You’re still warm. I’m going back to work. Be good for Mommy.”

I’m hating the world beyond this room right now and the darkness that demands my attention. All I want to do is bask in the light of my family.

“I will,” Violet whispers, nestling under the covers. “We’re going to read all my new books.”

Sandrine’s smile reaches her eyes, and it catches me off guard. “We sure will.”

As she steps to the bookshelf, I put my hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll be home late. Don’t wait for me to eat dinner.” I reach down and kiss her.

Then I turn toward the door, the pull of duty dragging me away.

And I already hate how long I’ll be gone.

Chapter 28