A blush heats Sophia’s cheeks. She shakes her head, doing a terrible job of trying to hide it. I wish I could say that this isn’t the happiest I have ever seen her, but I’d be lying. She’s glowing. She’s content. There’s a calmness about her energy. With the financial burdens of her father off her chest, she can finally relax.
I’m glad Timur has provided her with security and gone through with what he promised to do for her. It’s uplifting. Makes me wonder if I was wrong about Nikolai and Timur this entire time…
Sophia beams at me, admitting defeat. “Okay, fine. I am totallysmitten,” she laughs. “He’s a good husband.”
“Sounds to me like he’s a good lover.” I tickle her chin and she slaps me away, laughing.
“Yes, that too.” The blush returns to her cheeks.
My eyebrow lifts. “You fell for each other!”
Sophia looks at me with a knowing grin, biting the corner of her mouth like a part of her doesn’t want to admit that I’m right.
I suppose we have that in common.
“It wasn’t the plan,” she says. “We just… fell into this good place. He wants the relationship. Puts in the effort.”
I pull her into a hug. “I’m happy for you, Soph. It’s what you deserve.”
It’s the truth. She has been burdened by her family’s drama for far too long. It’s time she lives a life on her own terms, doing whatever she wants and when. By the look of things, Timur gives her the freedom to do what she wants, letting her plant roses in every corner of the garden, rearranging his house the way she pleases. He wouldn’t allow her to do those things if he wasn’t in love with her.
“Anyway,” continues Sophia. “Back to you. What’s going on with dark, brooding baby-daddy over there? And don’t give me this good-in-bed-bullshit. I know it’s more than that.”
I settle into my seat, exhaling. I have drawn the truth out of Sophia, so it’s only fair I give her my clear conscience too.
I shrug. “Honestly? I still don’t know. We haven’t spoken about what we mean to each other yet. We just fell into this good place, no longer wanting to tear each other’s heads off.”
Sophia looks at me with amused eyes. “That’s a start.”
“Yeah,” I say. “He makes me feel…” I toy with the right word in my mind. “Safe, I guess. Something I don’t think I’ve ever felt before. His presence makes me feel like my whole life, I’ve been going to sleep holding an imaginary gun, waiting for something bad to happen. I feel like I can let go around him. Like I can relax, let him take guard, and hold the gun for a moment. I don’t know what that means exactly.”
Sophia studies my eyes like she’s trying to work out the explanation for me. After a long pause, she clicks her tongue. “What do you mean you don’t know?” She brings her hands onto my shoulders, rattling me. “Lau, you’re having his child for fuck’s sake.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what? Stop trying to beat around the bush. You’re about to become a mother, girl!”
“That’s exactly it, Soph. His world is dangerous. It would be a totally different scenario if there wasn’t a baby involved, but there is.”
Sophia watches me. “It’s a valid point, but living in their world doesn’t automatically make them dangerous people. Timur provides a security I never had in my life. Nikolai will do the same for you. If you let him. He will protect you no matter what. I’m sure of it.” Her eyes hold a promise.
“You think so?”
“I know so. I was scared at first too. Had my doubts. All you have to do is look at him. Haven’t you noticed the way he looks at you?” She pauses for a moment, her features softening. “Besides, if that’s still not enough, you’ll always have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear those words. “Thanks, Soph.”
“Sure thing, babe.” She grins.
I hate to be the one to dim that gorgeous smile, but I need to tell her something. She analyzes my face like it’s her favorite piece of literature.
“Something is still bothering you.”
I take a deep breath. “I found something, Soph.”
She tilts her head.
“My father.” I shut my eyes, in disbelief that I’m actually saying the words. “I think he might be responsible for Mom’s death.”
