Sloane
I can’t right now. I have the kid. I’m with him until his dad gets home.
Eli
Figure it out. I’m not waiting around all day.
My hand tightens around the phone.
Crap, what do I do? If I miss this chance, I don’t know when Eli will offer it again. If I go, I have to leave Lev. And if Kirill comes home and I’m not here…
Screw it. This is for Milo. I have to go.
“Katya?” I call for the housekeeper just as she walks in.
“Yes?”
“I just need to run to the store for a few minutes. Would you mind keeping an eye on Lev?”
The words are barely out of my mouth when Lev’s head snaps up.
“No.” It’s sharp. Immediate. His eyes are filled with panic.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I grab his hand. “I’ll be back in a little bit. I just need to buy a few things.”
“No, no, NO!”
His breathing changes fast, chest rising too quickly, his hand squeezing mine so tight it hurts. Then he lunges forward and grabs me, his entire body shaking.
“No. Stay. Home. Stay home. Stay home.”
My heart cracks. “Lev, baby?—”
He shakes his head hard, tears already spilling over as he wraps his arms around my waist like I’m about to disappear. “No. No. Stay home.”
Katya sighs, her face crumbling as I glance over. “When he gets like this, we usually call Mr. Marinov. He does not calm down for anyone else.”
I drop to my knees in front of Lev, staring right at him. “Everything is okay. I’m right here.”
His fingers clutch the fabric of my shirt as he drops his face into my shoulder and cries, and I know in this moment there’s no way I can leave him.
“I won’t go if you don’t want me to. I’ll stay, I swear.”
I pull my phone out with one hand and type, my arm still wrapped around him.
Sloane
Can’t make it right now.
Eli
I’ll leave it behind the big boulder near the trees where you sat with him. If it’s gone when you get there, that’s on you.
Asshole.He knew exactly when and where I met with Milo. The thought makes me sick, but I try to focus on Lev now.
Sloane
Fine.
