“She said she would come tonight.” Her brow furrows, worry creeping in. “Mrs. Keen and Julian are both away for the holiday, but Lila promised she’d be here to help.”
That surprises me.
Lila may flirt with my men.
Gossip.
But she’s reliable.
Timid around me, butdevotedto Vasilisa.
And she doesn’t break promises.
My jaw clenches. “She didn’t call?”
“No.” Vasilisa shakes her head. “And she always calls.”
I hate the way her voice softens with concern.
My arms tighten around her automatically.
A dozen possibilities flash through my mind.
None of them good.
But I keep my voice level as I smooth my hand down her thigh.
“Maybe…”I clear my throat. “Maybe with everything going on with Romeo, she decided to stay home.”
Her lips part. “Oh.”
“They’re a couple,” I add quietly. “She probably didn’t want to come without him.”
Vasilisa nods slowly, but I can see the sadness behind her eyes.
She loves easily.
Deeply.
Even small absences sting her.
I press a kiss to her temple, grounding her in my arms.
“She’s fine, Dea,” I murmur. “If something was wrong, we would’ve heard. Romeo would’ve called.”
She nods again, but her fingers curl around the fabric of my sleeve, holding me closer.
And I hold her.
Tighter.
Because the truth is?
I don’t like loose threads in my house.
I don’t like unexpected absences.
And I don’t like anything making my wife’s smile falter.
