“Sorry,” she says quickly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Davýd’s eyebrows go up. “You must be Molly.”
She nods, looking a little afraid.
“This is Davýd,” I say casually, though all three of us feel how weird this is.
He laughs at this.
“The one and only,” he says, bowing to her with a flourish.
“How does it feel living with the Devil himself?” Davýd jokes, jerking a thumb at me.
Molly laughs as she looks between us, the sound small, polite, a little forced. I don’t like the sound of it. I realize there’s so much I haven’t told her, so much that I owe her, but now isn’t the time.
My chest tightens. I grip the edge of my desk, trying to keep my face neutral. Davýd seems to notice. His smirk widens, amused and knowing, like he’s enjoying my discomfort.
Molly’s gaze flicks between us. “I was just going to make lunch. If either of you wants some.”
This is out of character for her, and I realize she’s trying. Despite the frostiness that’s risen between us the last few days, she wants there to be peace. This small gesture is her olive branch.
“No, thank you,” Davýd says kindly. “I actually have to get my daughter from school.”
I don’t miss the small look of sadness that flashes over her face at his words. I know she misses teaching, but I just can’t risk it. We both decided it would be best for her to step away for a while. Still, I wish there was something I could do to wipe away that sadness.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I tell her, shooting her a reassuring smile.
She nods before slipping out the door. When she’s gone, the air feels thinner somehow.
Davýd leans back in the chair, crossing one ankle over his knee. “You look like a man who’s stepped in his own trap.”
“Shut up.”
“You like her.” He snorts.
“I’m protecting her,” I remind him. “Her life is in danger.”
“And since when do you protect young women in your own home? This is me, Samuil.”
He cocks an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to tell him the truth. So I do.
“She’s pregnant,” I say.
Davýd stills for a moment, then hums thoughtfully.
“With your baby?” he asks in amusement.
I nod once, and his face lights up.
“Pozdravlyayu, brat,”he says with a laugh. “Congratulations and welcome to the club!”
“Da ladno,” I deflect. “It’s no big deal.”
“I’ve never seen you this way with a woman before,” he says in awe, as if the realization is just hitting him. “This most certainly is a huge deal! We must celebrate.”
“I’ll celebrate when my baby arrives healthy, and when Molly is no longer in danger. Until then…” I gesture for him to leave.
He does, laughing as he goes.
