Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
“There’s a man, he’s not dressed like any of your other soldiers, and he’s looking at the house, and I don’t know what to do.”
Dmitry nodded toward two of his men standing guard at the house, and then placed Sofia’s hand within hers. “Take her inside.”
“Daddy, the picnic.”
“We’ll have the picnic later.”
He wasn’t in a good mood, not anymore.
Alix wasn’t going to take any chances. She lifted Sofia up into her arms and carried her into the house, going straight toward the sitting room. She had seen a few hiding spots throughout the house where she could take Sofia.
“What’s going on?” Sofia asked, starting to sound fearful.
“Don’t you think it would be pretty cool if we played hide-and-seek with your daddy?” Alix asked, wanting to distract the girl. She didn’t like any of this.
Her heart raced but she knew she had to be strong for Sofia. She couldn’t give in to the fear swirling in her stomach. This was the first time she’d ever been truly afraid. She hadn’t even been scared when Dmitry came to collect her. Seeing him at her door, she had been more intrigued than scared. Once she realized why, she was pissed off with her now ex-husband.
“Daddy will find us?”
“Yes, of course he will.”
“But the picnic?” Sofia asked, her bottom lip stuck out as she pouted.
Alix pulled her in for a hug. “Don’t you worry. We’re going to enjoy that picnic, with the peanut butter sandwiches and chocolate cake, and those little pies you wanted.”
Sofia had a love for cheese tartlets. The chef made them so small for Sofia, and she absolutely loved them. Alix had watched her pop one into her mouth and do a little dance as if she was the happiest girl in the world. It was adorable.
“Yay. I love pies.” Sofia leaned forward and then giggled.
Alix couldn’t help but be affected by her cheerfulness. She was so cute.
“When will Daddy come?” Sofia asked. “I’m hungry.”
“Soon, very soon. Why don’t we start making up stories?” she said. She had to really think of the best way to distract Sofia and herself.
Glancing across the room, she saw it was a little after twelve. It was indeed lunchtime.
Who was that man? Why was he watching the house?
At some point, during her story about a hungry little girl, Sofia fell asleep on her lap. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying her best to soothe her, even in sleep. Alix kept staring at the clock, seeing the time click on by. It went to one, then two, and by three o’clock, Dmitry entered the living room and Sofia at the noise of the door opening, woke up.
“Picnic time?” Sofia asked, groggily.
“Yes, we’re still going on a picnic,” Dmitry said, holding his hand out to Sofia.
She moved toward him, slowly waking up. She started off sluggish as if her feet couldn’t quite carry her. The moment she got to the door, though, her little energy batteries had been all charged, and she was speeding ahead, pulling on her father’s arm.
Alix had so many questions, but she went to the kitchen. Dmitry’s call to her made her stop.
“Follow us,” he said.
Dmitry and Sofia led the way, and sure enough as she stepped outside, she saw during their little lockdown he’d used the time to set up a beautiful picnic. Sofia gasped, let go of her father’s hand, and ran toward the blanket that had been spread out. It was a large one, with cupcakes all over it. There was a wicker basket, opened, but across the blanket was a variety of food, mounted up on plates.
It looked perfect, ready for any picnic photoshoot, and Alix was oddly touched. She wouldn’t have been able to pull this off if she had tried. Most of her and Sofia’s picnics were on a small blanket, small amounts of food, and each other’s company.
This was sweet.
Chapter Seven
The mysterious man at the side of the building, smoking a cigarette and standing out because he wasn’t wearing a suit, was Benjamin Nikitin. He had some more information which included George’s involvement with Angeloff, that extended past just a few choice meetings.
Dmitry knew there was no point in asking Alix what her husband had been up to during their marriage. Benjamin had confirmed her story about her constantly attempting to divorce him.
There were several divorce papers sent to George, but none of them, until he got him to sign, had been successful. All of them had ended up lost or discarded. There was also truth in their living arrangements. They stayed together for a short time, but the moment George’s and her own parents passed, Alix moved out, back to her old apartment, which she had kept up with the rent, even though it nearly crippled her. Alix had tried to cut and sever all ties with her husband, to make him her ex. She had no information on him.