Violet began speaking, fast and high-pitched, almost like she was in a rush to get all the words out. I listened intently.
“Is that everything?” I asked when she fell silent. “You’re not leaving anything out?”
Mutely, she shook her head. “You have to tell me you will protect me, Alexei. I’ve told you everything I know. He will come for me.”
I had no doubt that Kristoff would come for her. “You’ll be safe, but you have to know you can’t stay here. Amy and young Nikolai will be coming home soon. I’ll put you up in one of my apartments in the city with a guard. You will be safe there until I can deal with Kristoff.”
From the head of the table, my grandfather exploded into angry Russian. “You cannot be fucking serious, Alexei.”
“I have to take her word for things Grandfather. I’ve known her too long. She wouldn’t lie to me.”
“You blind, egotistical fool. I didn’t raise you to be this blind.” He glared at both of us for a second and then called for his carer, who appeared in the doorway. “I would like to leave now before I do something I won’t regret like killing that bitch and saving my grandson’s family.”
“Yes, sir.” She rushed forward.
“Grandfather.” I tried. “Please try to understand. This isn’t me putting Violet first.”
“It’s exactly that Alexei, and I am disgusted with you.”
I sighed. “I can have a man take you back.” I didn’t expect him to understand.
This isn’t me choosing Violet over my wife and child. But I did owe Violet some protection.
“I am going to the hospital to visit with Amy and my great-grandson,” he spat. “I am going to the place you should be instead of being here with that spiteful bitch.” He speared Violet to the spot with his eyes.
When he turned that icy glare at me, there was nothing but disappointment in his eyes, disappointment and disgust.
Nikolai had never looked at me like that. Like he didn’t like me. The little boy who craved his approval wanted to shrink back.
“You will realize what a viper she is soon enough, Alexei. I just hope you still have a wife and child when you do.” He motioned for his carer to come forward. “Because that bitch is going to destroy you and this family.”
“I won’t let that happen,” I said firmly, as the carer expertly lifted him into his wheelchair. “Amy knows she and Nikolai are all that matter to me.”
“You won’t let it happen?” he gave a sarcastic laugh. His lips pulled tight. “Alexei, you are already letting it happen.”
Chapter Forty
Amy
I was a little unsteady on my feet, but it felt so good to be out of the hospital. One thing that didn’t feel good was leaving little Nikolai behind. Luckily for me, Alexei had arranged for an apartment in the city not far from the hospital, so even if I had to walk, I could go and be with him every single day, which was exactly what I planned to do.
“Do you like it?” As attentive as he had been since the moment I had woken up, Alexei turned and offered me his arm. I took it with trembling fingers, grateful for the muscles that steadied me. Again, my legs wobbled. Alexei shot me a look that was full of worry.
“Are you ok?” Not letting me speak, he moved beside me and wrapped a heavy arm around my waist. “Maybe this was a bad idea. I don’t think you are strong enough yet. It’s only been ten days since you woke up. I should have insisted you stay in bed for a little while longer.”
“Alexei,” I sighed. “I’m fine. Just a little wobbly, that’s all.”
As if to prove my point, I pushed myself out of his grasp and took a few steps into the massive open-plan apartment. My eyes instantly went to the huge floor-to-ceiling window with the panoramic view of the city.
“Wow.” Even if the apartment had been empty, the view from those windows would have been everything. “This place—”
Alexei came up behind me. His hands slid around my waist, and his chin came down to rest on the top of my head. I stiffened, but just for a second, before I leaned against him.
He kept doing things like this, little intimate touches like we were still a couple, and even though he wasn’t phishing for a decision regarding our marriage from me, I knew that he wanted us to be together as a family. Part of me wanted that as well.
“It’s just one of many.” He murmured. “Not a penthouse, but this one is closest to the hospital, and the doorman is on my payroll. You will be safe here. No one can get in or out without my say so.” Alexei dropped his lips to my cheek, and I smiled before I remembered that his words were kind of moot.
No one but his old lover had tried to hurt me. The thought made me frown, and he caught the look on my face that reflected back to him instantly. Turning me in his arms, he tilted my face upwards.
