Page 100 of Inked in Devotion

“So, that was fun. Thanks, Daniel.”

He shot me a half-smile that was part mysterious, part sweet. “My pleasure.” His eyes were warm, but they shifted briefly behind me. I didn’t even need to turn around to know that Kolya was watching us.

“About that self-defense program,” Dom said. “Trevor is going to tap one of the guys—I think Ronan—he’s a McGrath and the De Luccis’ Irish side of the family. This boxing gym started with his dad and uncles.”

“All in the family,” I quipped. “I’m glad you all would let us use this gym.”

“Anytime. If you can’t get any of us or if you have questions, you can leave a message with Renz. He’ll let us know you’re trying to reach us,” Trevor said.

“I really appreciate it, guys.”

A brooding presence made itself known behind me, so I knew I’d better wrap it up. I thanked the guys again before I turned to Kolya.

I smiled at Sebastian before glaring at his father. “Do you have to breathe down my neck?”

“You were taking too long,” he said without inflection, but he was staring coldly at someone behind me.

“Stop that, you’re causing a scene,” I hissed.

He raised a brow. “I’m on my best behavior.”

“You have this…this…grim reaper aura.”

“While carrying a baby?”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Dora said between us. “I have to go. Shelter called, but—” She interrupted me before I could interject. “It’s no crisis. I have it under control. Go enjoy your lunch.”

When she left, I said, “I’m sweaty. My clothes are on the third floor. You can’t⁠—”

“I’ll wait in the coffee shop with Sebastian,” he said.

“Okay, thanks. I won’t take too long.” I skipped out of the gym, and on my way to the third floor, I ran into Liz and Sam.

“Hey, Chloe, long time no see,” Liz said. Renz’s wife was such a sweetie. “How’s Sebastian?”

“Growing like a weed. I need to get some new clothes for him.”

“I gave mine to Camilla,” Sam piped up.

“Bianca’s daughter, right?”

“Right,” Liz responded. “A couple of them still had price tags. Listen to me, girl. It’s so exciting to buy baby clothes, but they’ll outgrow them in a month or two.”

I laughed. “I can tell.” I squeezed Liz’s arm. “Listen, I've gotta go. Kolya and Sebastian are waiting for me at the café.”

“Oh, cool!” Sam exclaimed and hopped down the stairs. Liz and I exchanged glances, and she pressed her lips together in an impish grin before saying, “I’m not sure Kolya is ready for a Sam inquisition.”

I laughed. It might be just what he needed.

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Kolya

“So you’re Sebastian’s dad?”

A blonde girl about eight years old interrupted the numerous ways I framed Daniel Wu through my sniper’s scope. She was a carbon copy of Elizabeth De Lucci. Sebastian was on my lap, and he was busy drooling over a teething cracker. Her blue eyes investigated me with the curiosity of a ferret. That she just jumped in front of me, told me she hadn’t been taught not to approach strangers.