Svolich. Who is he? And why do I want to kill him already?
The steering wheel creaks under my grip. “Send me a photo.”
Oleg clears his throat.
“Now.”
“Da, da khorosho.”
I end the call and wait for the damn photo to come through like my life depends on it. The phone buzzes a few seconds later, and I quickly open it, my heart almost giving out when I see her with him.
Sloane’s face is turned toward the camera, her eyes on the bastard across from her, hair pulled back, cheeks flushed from the cold. Her smile is wide, real, and it’s not for me.
When I look at the boy, I immediately recognize him. It’s her nephew.
Maybe it’s her sister’s boyfriend or a cousin. Maybe she just missed her nephew. But something doesn’t sit right.
I should just follow her myself. The meeting can go to hell.
But I know Konstantin would not be forgiving. I need to make this meeting.
My fist lands hard against the middle console of my car.
The phone buzzes again.
Oleg
Do you want us to approach?
My thumb hovers.
Approach and make a scene? Walk into that park and let Sloane see exactly what she has triggered in me?
No, I can’t do that. Not yet. I will let this play out. Let’s see if she lies about it when I ask what she did today.
Kirill
No. Stay back and watch. Tell me if he touches her.
Oleg
Okay, boss.
I remain in the car, eyes locked on her face, like staring hard enough will change what I’m seeing.
It doesn’t. Sloane’s still smiling at him.
“Fuck.” My fist cracks on the wheel, the sound too loud in the quiet car.
I drop the phone onto the seat and start the engine, needing to get the hell out of here.
I keep telling myself I’m overreacting. It’s nothing. But in the back of my mind, I’m already wondering what else she’s been hiding from me…and whether she understands what happens when a man like me decides he wants answers.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SLOANE
I’m backat Kirill’s after picking up Lev from therapy, and all I can think about is my son—how much I want him with me, how wrong it feels that he isn’t.
