She gives me a weak smile. “Couldn’t let his goons put a tail on me back to New York, could I? Especially not with…”
A kid in tow with curly blond hair and the perfect age to be his.
“You won’t have to worry about that anymore,” I growl. “Brad isn’t stupid enough to f**k with a pakhan’s wife. He knowswhat I am. What I can do to him.”
“I don’t know,” she sighs. “He’s been pretty bold regardless.”
“He thought I wouldn’t care.” I tip up her chin, hooking her gaze. “After the wedding, he’ll know I do. And once I adopt Eli, hewon’t have a say in your life anymore. Either of your lives.”
“Of course.” The picture she sent me last night pops up in my head. I remember Eli’s face, all gap-toothed and joyful, his tinyhands clutching the Garfield plushie. “That is, unless—”
“I want it,” she
