“Or maybe you’ve just grown too damn trusting,” Vadim counters with a harsh laugh. “Would you believe me if I denied it? Perhaps a part of me gets some sick pleasure out of making little Maxi squirm?”
I shiver at the coldness in his tone. But just as quickly, his posture seems to slump, his body deflated.
“I’ve humored Maxim’s hostility far longer than I should have,” he says softly. “But I am telling you now, Milton. If he dares to do anything, I won’t be so forgiving this time.”
“He’s all bluster,” Milton says. “Between the shit going on in Russia and the shock of discovering your little secret, you might want to cut the man some slack. I will admit that I was skeptical at first myself. That you were planning one of your little mind games to drive the man insane. But, damn… She looks just like you.” His voice deepens, conveying the depth of his awe.
“Which is why…” Vadim sighs. “Maxim can harbor his hatred toward me all he likes, but I will never let him hurt her—”
“And I would?” Milton counters, stepping forward to brace his hands over the desk. “Threatening children isn’t Maxim’s style, you know this. But I will suggest you consider moving anyway. Why provoke him further?”
“Why?” Vadim shakes his head, chuckling to himself. “You always take his side. I’ve ceded this city to Maxim for ten years. I’ve dwelt in the shadows and let him play king. Not anymore. I said it once, and I will say it again—I’m taking what I want. For myself and Magdalene. Her desire is my only concern, so if he wants to get in my way, let him try.”
“Or,” Milton says softly, “you two could finally put aside your petty feud and play happy families. Especially if you both are so intent on starting your own.”
“Don’t compare me to him.” Vadim stands and turns his attention to the door just as I manage to scuttle away.
I find Magda seated at the dining table with a neatly arranged and reset monopoly board before her and a look of utter ferocity on her face.
“Ready for round two?” I ask, joining her with a forced grin.
She kicks my ass. In the end, I have to concede with shreds of my pride left intact.
“You are well on your way to world domination,” I tell her as we clean up the game for good. “But I’m still the adult, and I will always have one superpower over you, even when you rule the world.”
She raises an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
“Bedtime.”
I follow her upstairs and into her room, where I enter her closet. “I’ll pick out your pajamas while you take your bath, okay?”
Surprisingly, she doesn’t argue. Minutes later, she’s dripping wet and freshly dressed in a pair of ivory silk pajamas that make her resemble a dark-haired variation of the porcelain doll tucked under her arm.
“Can I brush your hair?” I ask, moving toward her end table as I speak.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nods and climbs beneath the covers while I sit beside her and tackle those gorgeous curls. This time, I deliberately ignore that warning voice telling me to back away. That I shouldn’t be enjoying this. Smoothing my fingers through her hair shouldn’t feel this natural, neither should I take pride in how she relaxes against me.
I’m not her mother. It’s wrong.
“I thought you might be asleep…”
I look over to find Vadim hovering in the doorway. His eyebrow raises as he spots me beside Magda, and I smooth one last curl into place before backing away. She’s already slumped against the pillow, her eyes drifting shut. When she spots what Vadim holds in his hands, however, she bolts upright.
“I thought you might need this if you are to ride your pony tomorrow,” he says, stepping forward to place a large, white box on the bed. It’s wrapped neatly with a turquoise ribbon that Magda rips off before lifting the lid.
Her mouth drops open, and I can’t smother a grin as she gingerly withdraws a sheet of tissue paper to reveal a pair of tan jodhpurs, a white riding blouse, and an ebony jacket, complete with a riding helmet.
“They’re beautiful,” I murmur as Magda runs her fingers over the material.
Though she doesn’t admit it out loud, I can guess from her wide-eyed expression that she feels the same.
“I’ll let you get some sleep,” Vadim says, seemingly not expecting much more gratitude from her than that. “Goodnight.”
My heart feels swollen as he leaves. I slip from the bed and make the mistake of looking back. Magda’s already slumping sideways, her eyes falling shut even as she clutches the sleeve of her new jacket. I lift the box from her bed and set it aside before gently easing her beneath the blankets. I tell myself that the act is purely out of necessity—but brushing a stray curl behind her ear isn’t.
Neither is making sure that both Biphany and It are within her reach before turning off the light and finally leaving her room.
The panic I feel is ten times stronger than the emotions I try to resist when it comes to Vadim. I’ve had my heart stomped on by a man before. As much as it stings, I can survive that pain again. But I don’t think there’s a cure for loving a child that isn’t mine.
Don’t do this to yourself, Tiffy.
I enter the master suite and find Vadim sitting on the bed as if waiting for me. He’s removed his suit jacket, and the topmost buttons of his dress shirt are undone, revealing a tempting sliver of his chest. It’s a fitting distraction from budding emotional turmoil. After locking the door behind me, I eagerly start to strip my dress.
“Wait.” He stands and crosses to me. I’ve rarely seen him so tired, his lips pursed, eyes unreadable. Alarmed, I let my hands fall from the skirt of my dress as he captures each one, stroking the
