Chapter Thirteen

Kyle woke up in an unfamiliar room and panicked.

“It’s okay, you’re safe,” Max came over and held her.

“Where...?” Kyle tried to speak, but it hurt to talk.

“Evie?”

“Shh. Don’t talk. She’s safe; you saved her. The doctor said your voice and throat would be sore for a few days, and other than some bruising you’re okay. Do you want some water?”

Kyle nodded her head yes, and Max poured her a glass. After drinking it, her throat felt better, so she attempted to talk.

“Who was he?”

“He worked for Cannin and disguised himself as a construction worker. Don’t worry; we moved everyone out of the house, and I sent word to Cannin that Dimitri and I wanted to talk.”

***

“We got word from the Volkovs that they want to speak to you. It sounds like Frank tried to kill Kyle, and they’re pissed.”

“I told Frank not to harm them. Where the fuck is he?”

“They killed him.”

Cannin wiped his hand down his face.

“All I want is Kyle and the child. The child is mine, and Kyle needs to be dealt with for shooting me.”

“There is a chance the child isn’t yours; you have to know that.

“The timing of the birth is off, and you shouldn’t get yourself killed over that, and Kyle isn’t like her father—I’m sure we can work something out.”

“How do you know? You’ve never met her; you don’t know anything about her.”

“You can’t be that stupid, can you? Put the pieces together. I came to you to take care of Viktor because I wanted what was mine. How did I know so much about that family?

“She’s my daughter, Cannin, and she needs to be left alone. You get the child, and I get Viktor’s money, and Kyle is kept safe.”

“You’re changing the terms; Kyle was not part of your negotiations.”

***

“How are you feeling?” Ryan asked Kyle.

“Much better. I just want the bruises to go away. Dimitri gets angry every time he sees them. He blames himself. He said they should have been more careful with the workers.”

“No one is at fault but Cannin, and I’m glad you and Evie are safe. Do you like the new house?”

“I do, it feels so much more like home. I like that it’s one level—it’s easier to keep an eye on everything.”

“If you need anything, let me know. I love you.”

“I love you too, Ryan.”

Dimitri came in with Evie just as Ryan was leaving.

“And here’s Mama,” he said as he gave Evie to Kyle.

“She is in such a good mood today, so I thought you should enjoy her smiles and coos while she’s giving them out.”

“She’s just happy to spend time with one of her dads, aren’t you, sweetie?”

Kyle watched Evie smile and look around. Time felt like it was going by fast, and it had her feeling sad and happy at the same time.

Sad because Evie wouldn’t be small forever, but happy because she’d get to see her grow.

“Our meeting with Cannin is tomorrow. I know you want to be there, so Varina has agreed to watch Evie at her house. We will station extra men there.”

Kyle kissed Evie and looked at her as she spoke to Dimitri. “I want to be there. I want all this to be over so our daughter will be safe and we can live our lives.”

“Me too, ~myshka~.”