I nod, beaming. “Family vacation it is.”
He glances at the time and sighs. “I just wanted to drop in and see the kids.”
“Same here,” I say, though I’ve been in no hurry to leave my spot. “We should head up.”
We stand up and walk over to the play area. Jack is trying to take a toy from Mila. She glares at him with a toddler’s righteous fury. Yuri scoops Jack up, laughing, while I lift Mila and kiss her soft cheek. She grabs my hair like it’s a rope to safety. Jack tries to squirm out of Yuri’s arms and dive for the blocks, but Yuri wrangles him like a pro.
“Alright, you monsters,” Yuri says. “We’ll be back soon. Don’t get expelled.”
We settle them with the other kids, exchange one last round of snuggles and kisses, then step out into the hallway.
The elevator ride is quiet and peaceful. Yuri unlocks his office and we step inside together.
There’s a new photo on the credenza of Jack chewing on a building block, shirtless, with mashed banana across his cheek like war paint. Mila is beside him in mid-scream, eyes sparkling. Another frame holds a picture of the four of us, taken on the rooftop one evening, the sun setting behind us, Yuri’s hand around my waist, my face tilted to his shoulder, our babies bundled in our arms. I hadn’t even known he printed that one.
There are small signs everywhere now. A tiny hand print on the glass wall. A blue pacifier tucked beside the monitor. A folded blanket in the corner that still smells faintly like baby shampoo.
Yuri shrugs off his coat and tosses it over the back of his chair. He’s already sliding into business mode, his tone smooth and sharp. “So. We’ve got the commercial space in Edgewater tied up, we’re just waiting on final zoning approvals before we pull the trigger. I’m still reviewing three candidates for the new compliance role. We’ll probably need to bring in someone from London to help integrate the books once LA’s up and running. I’ll need you in those meetings, when they happen.”
I love watching him like this. Focused. Brilliant. Completely in command. He’s got this glint in his eyes—like he’s always ten steps ahead and can’t wait to watch the rest of the world catch up.
I settle on the arm of his leather couch, tea still in hand, just admiring him for a moment.
He finishes his rundown, spins his chair slightly to face me, and says more casually, “I heard something about our old friend Spalding.”
My eyebrows lift. “Oh yeah?”
He nods. “He worked out a deal and was released. Spotted in Laos. Private security work. Low profile. Word is, he’s working solo now.”
I let out a breath. “Huh. He got off lucky.”
Yuri leans back in his chair, his fingers laced behind his head. “That’s one way of putting it. I’d call it cowardice. But he’s officially banned from stepping onto U.S. soil.”
I glance down into my tea, then up again. “What about Tatiana?”
He chuckles. “I actually spoke to Ivan last week. He said she’s settling into life as Mrs. Anton Yegorov quite nicely.”
I frown. “The meatpacking guy?”
“That’s right. Man runs a whole chain of plants outside Yaroslavl. Not glamorous, but honest work. And he’s loaded. Old money. Perfect for a fresh start with no questions. And it sounds like she’s making a go of it.”
I bite back a smile. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. Apparently she’s already dropped hints about starting a family.”
That surprises me more than it should. I can’t picture her in stilettos and satin, wrangling a toddler with perfectly manicured hands. But then again, maybe that’s the point. People change. Or they refuse to and life doesn’t give them a choice, forcing them to change anyway.
Something tugs in my chest. I look at Yuri, this man who once terrified me with his brilliance, who now terrifies me with how much I love him.
And I know I can’t wait any longer. I set the cup aside and take a deep breath.
“Speaking of family…” I begin.
He straightens in his chair. “Is something wrong?”
His voice is alert, bracing, ready to handle whatever needs handling. That’s just who he is. And it only makes my stomach twist harder because I hate that I’ve made him think this might be bad news, if only for a second.
“No,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “No, nothing’s wrong.”
