She’s lying.
I look at Simi again. “Is Anton the father?”
This time, Nina’s eyes fly to mine, and panic flashes over her face. “No!”
Fuck. She denies it with such vehemence that I can’t help but think she was forced to give birth to her rapist’s child.
When I look at Simi again, Nina repeats, “No, he’s not.”
“She’s your spitting image,” I mention.
Nina brushes her hand over her daughter’s hair again.
Needing to say the words to her, my voice is hoarse. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything to stop him.”
She closes her eyes, the trauma of what she’s been through rippling over her beautiful features. It makes her look so fragile that for a moment, my body moves before I can think it through.
Every muscle throbs, and just as I place my hand on her shoulder, she jerks. I realize the last thing she probably wants right now is for a man to touch her.
Still, I give her shoulder a squeeze, hoping it offers her some comfort.
Pulling back, I say, “I’ll watch Simi if you’d like to go shower.”
Nina shakes her head, and when she speaks, her voice sounds hollow. “I’ll wait until she wakes up.”
Nodding, I lean against the pillows, suppressing a groan. After a few minutes of trying to fall asleep, I give up and look at Nina again.
“Who was the man on the third floor?”
“Ivan. He always guarded Simi.”
Interesting that the kid had a guard, but not Nina.
“And the woman?”
Hatred tightens Nina’s features. “My father’s whore who took care of Simi.”
I tilt my head as the puzzle pieces begin to lock into place. “Did they keep you away from your daughter?”
Nina’s eyes dart to mine again, and there’s another flash of panic in them. “I want my daughter with me at all times.”
“I never planned to separate you.”
She stares at me for a moment, then says, “I don’t trust you…or any of this.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “That will change with time.”
Nina lifts her hand and brushes some of her hair over her shoulder before resting her palm against her neck. “Why did you bring us with you?”
“There’s nothing in Bulgaria for you except more danger and trauma,” I answer honestly.
“We will be fine on our own.” Her mouth sets in a stubborn line I haven’t seen before, and it makes me smirk at her. Anger ignites in her brown irises. “We’re not your property. You don’t get to make decisions regarding us.”
“I do.” My smirk grows more cocky because I like seeing the fire burning in her. It’s so much better than the empty hollowness or ungodly fear. “You’re coming with me.”
Her eyebrows pull together, and she gives me an incredulous look. “Why? You don’t even know me?”
“I know more than you think, Nina.” Remembering something from the day she lured me out of the hotel, I add, “What was it you said?If you can catch me, you can have me.” I let out a chuckle. “I caught you.”
