No matter how she struggles or resists, he doesn’t let her go, his body trembling with tension. Eventually, she goes stiff with shock, enduring the contact.
“Vadim?” Alarm runs through me when he doesn’t even react to the sound of my voice. I step forward, bracing my hand on his back—he’s practically vibrating. “Vadim, what’s wrong?”
He says nothing, so intent on Magda that I doubt he even heard me. It’s only when she squirms against his grip that he finally lets her go. He stands as she darts across the kitchen and turns to me. Seconds later, I’m in his arms, his mouth capturing mine with a ferocity that leaves me breathless.
I arch into the kiss before common sense makes me draw back. “Wait. Baby, wait—”
He backs away, panting, swiping at his mouth. He blinks as if he’s only now realizing where he is. Then he turns and heads for the stairs.
Shaken, all I can do is grasp at the pieces of the gameboard with trembling fingers. Magda watches me, her expression unguarded for once. She looks terrified.
Forcing a smile, I grasp a handful of fake money. “Let’s clean up, shall we?”
She nods, her eyes still wide. Together we pack up the pieces and put the game away in silence.
“Why don’t you go brush Biphany’s hair, and I’ll come to get you ready for bed, huh?” I force another grin that Magda doesn’t return as she obediently heads upstairs.
Alone, I attempt to gather up the nerve to follow after her and approach the master bedroom. Vadim sits on the bed, his jacket on the floor, his dress shirt partially unbuttoned. As I approach, he meets my gaze, seeming more exhausted than ever.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
He glances away, running his fingers through his hair. “I’m fine. I’m sorry if I startled you.”
“You are not fine.” I stalk toward him and finger his wrinkled collar. My nostrils flare with his scent—all male musk. I doubt he’s even showered since he left. “You look awful.” I run my fingers through his hair, forcing him to look at me. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
His throat works to swallow. “I—”
“I’m ready for bed,” a small voice declares. Startled, I lurch away from Vadim and turn to find Magda in the doorway her arms crossed, wall firmly in place. “Are you coming, Tiffany?”
“Yes… I’m coming, honey.”
She nods and then pointedly glances at Vadim, her expression icy. Turning on her heel, she marches away, making her thoughts on his return abundantly clear.
“Damn it,” he hisses, bracing both hands on his knees. He slumps forward, the picture of guilt, and some more of my irritation is chipped away. “The pony. I forgot…”
“I’ll go put her to bed,” I say, heading down the hall. “But when I come back, we need to talk.”
I find Magda waiting for me on the edge of her bed. As I enter her closet to pick out a set of pajamas, I sense the unlikely start of a routine. One in which I return with her clothing and arrange it on the bed while she takes her bath. When she emerges dripping wet and draped in a robe, I brush her hair and braid it. Finally, I let her crawl beneath the blankets and tuck her in, placing her toys on either side of her.
“Night, sweetie.” I linger far too long, smoothing my fingers over her hair until she finally drifts off. When I return to Vadim, he’s pacing, still partially undressed, his expression even more constricted.
“I’ve fucked up,” he declares the second I see his face. “She’s angry with me.”
“Yes,” I say, choosing not to lie. “You disappointed her. And I’ll tell you now that you’ll have to work hard to make it up to her. No more just buying her things. Spend the day with her. That’s what she wants—no, that’s what she needs from you.”
He sighs, his lips twisting into a frown. “And you are angry with me as well…”
“Pissed off, actually.” I prance past him and lift my dress over my head, but I know my posture warns him from touching me. I am angry. I just didn’t realize how strongly until now.
“I don’t know what misconceptions you have, but I am not your employee,” I tell him, my voice shaking. “You don’t get to disappear and leave me with your henchman and your kid without even asking me to stay. You don’t have that right, fake wife or otherwise.”
“I know.” I sense him come up behind me. When his fingers brush my sides, I don’t pull away, leaning into him instead. Two days alone create an unfair disadvantage as far as maintaining a grudge is concerned. Luckily for me, I have one powerful bit of ammo in my holster. Best to get it out of the way now. “Before Ena spills the beans, I took Magda to play with Maxim’s little girl.”
He sucks in a breath, backing away from me. “You what?”
I swallow hard before facing him. Meeting his gaze, I square my chin—but it’s a hard-fought bravery to keep up. I sway as his eyes touch on a terrifying shade of black. Soulless and cold at the threat of betrayal.
“You gamble her safety to punish me?”
“No! Of course not!” I scoff, insulted by the accusation. “I gambled your stupid pride and let your lonely daughter have some fresh air and play with a girl her own age because her father broke her heart over some stupid pony!”
He grunts as if struck, his gaze pained. I almost feel guilty for going there. Almost.
But if he wants to play the self-righteous indignation game, I can be just as petty. “Why did you go running off anyway? After how you made Magda feel, you better have one damn good reason—”
“I do.” He’s facing away from me, his tone hoarse. “I filed to adopt her the day she came here. The Robinsons had expressed no interest, and as her only previous foster
