“You’re getting sentimental.”
“Your instincts were right when you added him to the list. Even with little family resemblance.”
“I worked with him. He enjoyed hurting people.”
“The perks of the job,” I said with a wave of my hand.“Put him in the warehouse. Isolate him. No one talks to him until I say so.”
We eliminated one problem and five more surfaced in its place. Remaining vigilant wasn’t merely survival—it was the cost of everything I had built.
“I’ve noticed you’re more relaxed at home these days,” he murmured, warming up to something I had no interest in hearing.
The office held its usual evening quiet—the low burn of the desk lamp throwing amber across the walls, the distant sound of the house settling around us, the faint smell of cigarette smoke and wood from the fire that had burned low in the grate. Outside the window Chernograd’s lights were beginning to emerge against the darkening sky.
My office door opened.
Runa’s head appeared first—her small face at the gap—with Iskra’s hands visible behind her.
“I thought you might want to say goodnight before I take her up,” Iskra said, nudging the door open with her shoulder.
Konstantin was already on his feet, lifting Runa before she’d fully cleared the doorway.
“Come to yourdyadya,” he cooed.
“Don’t get her hyped up,” Iskra warned.
“I’ll try, but females can’t help themselves,” he said, grinning down at Runa.“Isn’t that right?”
Iskra shook her head as I stood. I crossed the room toward her. She looked tired tonight—the tiredness of a woman carrying a second pregnancy while feeding the first, the kind that settled around the eyes and wouldn’t shift regardless of rest.
“I’ll be up shortly. I can change her after her feed,” I said. She nodded, lifting her hand to cover a yawn she couldn’t quite contain.
My fingers found the pendant resting close to her clavicle. Small. Cool to the touch. I held it for a moment.
“We’ll go and see him soon.”
Her eyes softened. Her hands came to rest against my chest—light, unhurried, as though she hadn’t decided to put them there.
“I’d like that,” she whispered, swallowing.“Runa hasn’t been.”
I leaned down and pressed my lips to her forehead. Even as she blinked I could see the tears clinging to her lashes, catching the lamplight.
“We can take her,” I said.
She rubbed her nose and nodded.
I collected Runa from Konstantin, who for once said nothing. The small warm weight of her settled against my chest immediately—her hand finding my cheek as though it belonged there, which I had come to accept that it did.
“My tiredprintsessa,” I murmured, holding her a beat longer than necessary before passing her to Iskra.
The dark wooden door closed behind them and I turned to pour myself a drink.
“You’re a good father, you know,” Konstantin murmured.“And you’re doing better in the husband department too.”
“She’s somehow tough and soft. Women are changeable but men tend to remain fixed,” I said, raising my glass.
“You’d be bored if it were anyone else.”
I stared at my brother. The thought of any other woman in my space made my stomach turn. I poured a second drink and handed it to him, waiting until he took a mouthful.
