Ultimate Vengeance (Wanted Men Book 4)(90)

“Forgive the personal question, but how many are you using?”

Her face did the opposite of only moments ago, heating up as though she was standing too close to a campfire. “Two,” she murmured.

He appeared to stiffen. “If you are not comfortable with that, I would be happy to arrange a room of your own.”

Oh, God. Could this be any more awkward? “Forgive me for saying so, but I am happy with the arrangement as it is.”

He glanced over, his brow quirking, and she looked away. He wanted to laugh. She could tell. “You don’t have to ask my forgiveness, Sacha. Your answer is a relief. Despite this hiccup, it is my wish that you and Alek find your peace again.”

That made her feel teary. “Thank you. That is very generous of you considering what I have done to him.”

“Not so generous considering what he did to you.”

Something passed between them at that moment. Forgiveness on both ends? An understanding? Sacha didn’t know, but she was grateful to this generous man for whatever it was because she knew it was in his power to make her life miserable, and he had no intention of doing that.

“Thank you,” she repeated in a whisper.

“And I thank you,” he returned with a gentle pat to Lekzi’s head.

“I thought I heard your voice.”

A tremor started up in her lower belly when Alekzander padded into the kitchen wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of black Adidas warm-up pants. His feet were bare. Oh, God. His feet were bare. Had he done that on purpose? He had to remember how much she liked when his feet were bare.

Vasily got up and congratulated his nephew with a robust, affectionate embrace. They spoke quietly, and even though Sacha went to the sink to wet a cloth so they’d have some privacy, she still caught snatches of congratulations, son, and you’re a father, and she couldn’t be more precious. As she went back and cleaned Lekzi’s hands and face, for the first time in their acquaintance, Sacha was pleased to see her baby’s pale eyes were sleepy.

“It is time you went to bed, my angel.” Mummy and Papa are going to have some alone time, she added silently. Was the excitement thrumming through her what most women felt when putting their children to bed at night? Knowing it was time for them and their partner to enjoy each other?

“Sacha?”

She blinked to attention and looked at Vasily. It was apparent he’d called her name more than once. “Yes?”

“I would like to ask you to think back over the last year. Have you come into contact with any of our people?” He reclaimed his seat. “Not formally, but in passing. On the street. Maybe seen someone in a car.”

She thought for a moment and felt silly mentioning it because it was probably nothing. “I was sure I saw Sergei once. But that was last spring, and it was more the way the man held himself that reminded me of Alekzander’s cousin than what I actually saw because he was quite far away.”

Both men frowned.

“Where was this?” Vasily asked. “What was the man doing?”

“Just standing there. He was next to the school that is across the street from my building.” She remembered squinting through the rain but hadn’t lingered because she’d been on her way to work and her back had already been aching. She’d had Lekzi three weeks later.

She was too aware of Alekzander coming up behind her. He placed his hands on her hips and shifted her to the side. “I’ll take her,” he murmured.

She watched the surety of his movements and found her gaze traveling to the tattoos on his arms that were generally hidden by the dress shirts and suit jackets he favored. The artwork was of religious figures, and on each muscular forearm was a different passage praising loyalty and the power of family. The broadness of his back was showcased as he bent forward. She wanted to purr when she saw the two muscles that ran the length of his spine ripple as he straightened.

She started at the feel of a hand on her arm.

Vasily’s eyes were hooded, his expression grim. “Unless we have given you permission, you do not leave Lekzi with anyone other than myself or Alekzander. Not under any circumstances.”

As an icy sensation trailed up her spine and she nodded, four men came into the room from the hallway that led to the small medical center at the rear of the house. Yuri, Dmitri, Anton, and Aron gathered around the table while Alekzander prodded Sacha toward the exit with a hand low on her back. She didn’t protest.

As they made their way upstairs, Lekzi cuddled her face into her father’s neck, searching for a comfortable spot to sleep.

“Your uncle is one of the nicest men I know, but also the scariest I have ever met,” Sacha admitted.