Page 61 of Inked in Devotion

“What?” I didn’t like where this conversation was going.

“Because you started out being concerned about how dangerous Kolya is and now, a little over a week has passed and, you’re singing his praises.”

I reeled back at Marena’s conclusion.

“I misjudged him,” I snapped. “And it’s not simply over a week I spent with him. Kolya showed up for his custody visits for six weeks. And before you point out that I wasn’t in all of them, I trust Dora’s judgment.”

“All right, I’m not arguing. You’ve just come a long way, Chloe. I don’t want you to lose your independence.” She stood up and smiled apologetically. “Look, I’m sorry. If you say Kolya has been wonderful, then he is.”

She was at the door when shame hit me. Marena had been nothing but supportive in nurturing my independence and dispelling my doubts as a good mother. “I’m sorry for jumping down your throat.”

Marena glanced back at me. “No worries. You’re heading out?”

“Yes. I can log in from home. How are the new hires?”

“I’m helping Dora sort them out. We’re on track. After the news of the King and Zahkarov impending nuptials, we had a surge of interest.”

Again. Mixed feelings.

“Great.”

Now that Kolya was back to doing work for the bratva, I’d been assigned three bodyguards. Feliks was my driver, while the other two, Lev and Yan, trailed behind us in another SUV.

When Dora, Kolya, and I were out of the house, Sorcha took care of Sebastian.

Feliks pulled up in front of the main house, which was where I picked up Sebastian. Sorcha teased Lucy that when she got pregnant, they could start a day care in the house and suggested maybe Kolya could just build it on the property.

An unfamiliar Mercedes was parked in the driveway. I wondered who was visiting. Lucy had her office in the basement.

I heard Sebastian’s giggle. I smiled.

When I turned into the living room, blood left my face.

Ivan fucking Zahkarov.

And he was holding Sebastian.

“What is this?”

Ivan’s eyes widened when he saw me. And damn it, I couldn’t help the tears that sprang to my eyes.

“Chloshinka,” he whispered. Sorcha rushed in and paled.

“What is this? A conspiracy?” I stalked up to Ivan. “Give me back my son.”

I resisted the urge to snatch my baby out of his arms. Sebastian looked so cheerful, but he gave an excited cry followed by nonsensical babbling when he saw me.

Ivan’s mouth turned down, and his eyes lowered. “He’s a beautiful boy.”

“Of course he is.” I was trying my best to keep my tone level so Sebastian wouldn’t react to my anger. He was such a sponge and could soak up every tiny change in emotion between the adults. But I couldn’t help leveling a glare at Sorcha. “How long has this been going on?”

“This was just the second day.”

I’d only been at work for three days. “Was he here yesterday? Or the first day I went back to work.”

“Yesterday,” Sorcha answered.

“It’s my fault,” Ivan said. “Don’t blame Sorcha. She told me to ask Kolya to ask you, but I was insistent.”