Page 196 of Merciless Daddy

Not are the guards armed.

Not did anyone touch you.

He glanced over his shoulder. One of the guards was trying to flip an egg and failing. Tonio swore at him. Angela smiled into her coffee.

“Define happy,” he said. Then, with a smile, “You know, I think I am. It’s strange. But good strange.”

Yelena’s mouth trembled.

“I’m glad.”

“And Lena?”

“Yes?”

“Stop checking on me! It’s like every hour.”

Her brows rose.

“I do not check every hour.”

“You checked four times yesterday.”

“Yes and how many hours are in a day? Remind me.”

“Four times before lunch.”

Tonio made a sound that might have been a laugh. Kiryl looked at me then.

I kept my voice even.

“I’m just going to ask you some questions that might seem stupid. I’m trying to make sure that you truly are safe there. So. Are you comfortable with the arrangements?”

He frowned slightly. “Yes.”

“Does anyone stop you from going where you want on the property?”

“No.”

“Does anyone read your phone, limit your calls, or make decisions for you that are not necessary for security?”

“No.”

“Do you understand why guards accompany you outside the gate?”

“Yes.”

“And if you decide something feels unreasonable?”

“I tell you. Or Tonio. Or Pietro.”

“Correct.”

Kiryl held my gaze through the screen. He was young, but he was not a child. I wanted him to know I understood that.

“You are not a hostage under our protection,” I said. “You are a guest and Yelena’s brother. Those are different things.”

His expression shifted.