Page 131 of Scarred Ruin

“Come on. Let’s go back. I’m dying for a margarita.” My suggestion sounded hollow and I hated it.

He took another look while raking his hand through his hair. When he offered a smile, it was filled with concern.

He would always be a Pakhan first.

“You’re right, my sweet angel.”

I was ahead of him, fighting my own anger, but as usual, he caught up with me. This time and for the very first time, he clasped our hands together, fingers entwined.

If only we could remain like this forever.

“You mean everything to me, Isabel. You have changed my world.”

What I hated more than anything was not knowing what to say to him. “I adore you very much.”

“But?”

Maybe I should tell him I needed a little space. Just some time to think before things between us shifted to a point we couldn’t return from. “I think we should go back.”

“We are. For that margarita. Remember?”

God, what was I doing? My stomach was in knots once again. There was no pain as significant as wondering if the other person in your life could find love more satisfying than hate and revenge. Just as we made it to the bottom of the stairs, I took a deep breath and turned toward him.

“No, I mean back to Charleston.” I tried not to have him think my suggestion for leaving as much as a day early was for a horrible reason.

“We’re going back in a couple days.” He cupped my face, using his thumb to rub my skin and as always, I shivered from his touch.

“No, I mean in the morning. We are having the birthday party. Right?” I offered a heated look while I was shivering inside.

“Yes, we are. Sergei is making sure the restaurant is cleared out for us.”

“Is that why he called?”

“Yes, he was checking on details.”

Where he hadn’t told me anything but that the call had been about business before, now I knew he was lying. “Wait. Clearing the restaurant out?”

“Yes. So we can be comfortable spending time together. As a family.”

I had to think about what he was telling me. “Okay, wait. Just the family. What happened to having some children from her class?”

“For cake and ice cream, presents of course. But dinner is just for family.”

“So this family. You, me, and of course Uncle Roman. And who else?”

“Didn’t you invite your friends?”

He wasn’t cluing into what I was saying and I had to admit I was furious with him. “Hope has to work and will be dropping by later. Julie already had a commitment, and I had no other friends. What about you?”

“Sergei and Kristoff will be there.”

I took a step away. “You mean as your friends or in the capacity of armed guards?”

Maxsim narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong with both?”

The chill had me folding my arms and I glanced at the ocean so I wouldn’t say anything I regretted. “When are you going to understand that she needs to be just a little girl? Not always. I totally understand why you need to be so careful, but this is her birthday. Why can’t the children be there for dinner? And why do armed men need to stand only feet away all dressed in stuffy suits as if people don’t know they’re carrying an arsenal under their jackets? Is there something you aren’t telling me? Should I be concerned? We have a cake and presents. She doesn’t have any idea. I just want her to be a little girl.”

There was a flash in his eyes and I thought for a minute he was going to become very angry with me. Instead, he took a step closer, gripping both arms. “You’re right. As usual, you are right. However, I’m her father. And don’t take that the wrong way. I know you care about her, but I need to do what I believe is best for her. The men will not be wearing suits. No one will know they’re carrying weapons and if you want, they can join us at the dinner table.”