Chapter 2

Anatoli sat on the couch, looking over the files Ryan gave him.

Over the last two years, Ryan had grown into someone that he could trust, and was one of the best trackers the organization had ever seen.

They had found some files from Cannin’s old organization, some of which held information on Violet, but not enough to give Anatoli a lead.

He had found out why Violet was given to Cannin and what they had planned. It enraged Anatoli to think about what could have happened to her if it hadn’t been for Kyle.

“What are you doing?” Violet asked softly.

“Working.”

“Anything I can help with?”

Anatoli took Violet’s hand and pulled her onto his lap.

“You can sit here and let me hold you.”

Violet let out a small laugh and before she could say something, Evie came running into the room.

“Dyadya, look.”

Hearing Evie call him ~uncle~ always made him smile, and he couldn’t wait to have children with Violet.

There had been a time he was terrified of being a father, but now it was something he looked forward to.

Evie handed Anatoli a drawing. It was mostly scribbled, but you could make out two smiley faces.

“Dyadya and Vi,” she said.

“Is this me and Violet?”

Evie excitedly nodded.

“It’s beautiful,” Violet added. “Can we keep it?”

“Are you bothering Uncle Anatoli and Aunt Violet?” Dimitri asked, entering the room.

“No,” Evie yelled before running off to the next room.

“She has so much energy. I don’t know how Kyle does it with her and Anton,” Violet said.

“She’s exhausted, but won’t admit it,” Dmitri answered

“I don’t mind babysitting if the three of you want a night alone,” Violet volunteered.

“If I can convince Kyle to leave the kids, I’ll take you up on that.”

“Did you need something?” Anatoli asked, changing the subject.

“I came to see if you found anything helpful.”

“Most of it doesn’t pertain to what we’re looking for, but I have one thing I want Ryan to follow up on when he has time,” Anatoli answered.

“He’ll be over with Varina and Dominick later today, and we can talk more about this later,” Dmitri said.

Violet waited for Dmitri to leave before asking Anatoli what they were talking about.

“It’s nothing. It’s work, but nothing you should be concerned about.”

“Are you keeping something from me?” Violet asked.

“It’s work, Violet, that’s all it is.”

His tone was sharp and final, and it pissed her off. She didn’t get angry often, but with her dreams getting worse and her emotions all over the place, she couldn’t hold it in.

“When did you start lying to me?” she snapped.

“I’m not lying to you. It’s work.”

“You usually give me more information than that,” she huffed out.

“Stop being a child about this, Violet. What I do is dangerous and when I keep things from you, it’s to keep you safe,” Anatoli retorted.

“I’m tired of feeling like everyone thinks I’m going to break. You can tell me what’s going on.”

Anatoli moved Violet off his lap.

“I told you it’s work, and nothing more. You are going to have to live with that answer. Just like I have to live with you telling me you’re fine when you wake up screaming or crying.”

“This is payback?” she asked.

“This is what I mean about being childish. This is not payback; this is about me keeping you safe. You deserve to be safe, and it’s my job to give you that safety,” he answered.

“That’s bullshit, Anatoli. It’s not your job to keep me safe. It’s your job to love me and support me.”

“I do that by making sure you’re safe.”

“I don’t believe you. You have never told me you love me. You ignore me when I say it, and you say goodnight or goodbye instead,” Violet argued.

“I’m not arguing with you. I’ve got shit to do. We’ll talk about this when you’ve calmed down.”

Violet’s eyes filled with tears as she watched Anatoli storm out of the room. She felt stupid for picking a fight, but she couldn’t hold it in and she needed an outlet.

Violet let the tears fall as she walked back to the guest house. She was more upset about the fighting than about Anatoli keeping something from her.

They usually got along well. She wasn’t a jealous or nosy person, but she had started to feel their relationship was strained because of her. She wasn’t being honest with him.

She went to their room and laid down with her feet hanging off the bed. She let out a sigh before closing her eyes and deciding to apologize to Anatoli when he came home.

He was all she had; she would be alone if it weren’t for him. She couldn’t help but think that maybe she was meant to be alone, that she wasn’t meant to be happy.

***

It was after dinner before Anatoli returned to the guest house. He was worried when Violet didn’t join them for dinner and wanted to check on her before he met Ryan, Max, and Dimitri.

The house was quiet. He could tell that she wasn’t on the main floor, and he made his way to their room where he found Violet sleeping.

He knelt before her, kissing her face. She was covered in sweat and her breathing was heavy.

“Please don’t,” she whimpered. “I don’t want to go in there. I’ll do better next time. I’ll be better,” she cried out.

“Violet,” Anatoli said softly.

“No!”

“It’s ok. Wake up, Violet.”

Violet jerked awake. When she realized Anatoli was there, she threw her arms around his neck.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be a jerk.”

Anatoli rubbed her back, trying to calm her before he pulled away from her.

“I’m sorry too, malysh. I only want you safe.”

“I know.”

Anatoli kissed her lips before smoothing her hair off her face.

“You slept through dinner. Come back to the house and eat while I meet with Ryan.”

He watched as Violet laced her fingers through his. He stood up, making him follow her, but stopped her as they approached the bedroom door.

“Tonight, will you talk to me? And tell me what bothers you?” he asked.

“I’ll try. It’s time for me to let you in.”