“But,” I continue, needing to get this all out while I can, “I’m afraid that won’t matter. Because I have to be loyal to Lukas now. He doesn’t have a voice, so I have to speak up for him. I have to be the one who makes sure he is safe. He can never be safe here.”
“Look at Vera,” Dima suggests. “Bringing twins into this world.”
I don’t know if Dima heard our conversation earlier or not, but that thought has been in my mind all night. Vera seemed to think Ilyasov was worth the potential risk to her children.
I don’t know if I could ever agree.
“I made the mistake once of leaving you both behind,” Dima continues. His breath is warm on my skin. “I won’t do it again. There’s a place for you in my world. And if there isn’t already, we’ll make one. We’ll carve one out.”
What Dima is saying s
