"Those are perfect," I say, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“When you’re married are you going to have babies?”
I jerk, taken off guard by the question. “I… ah…” It’s then I realize that Phoenix didn’t use a condom last night. I close my eyes that I may be in the situation I was in ten years ago. Did he come to my room for the purpose of claiming me, but also insuring my loyalty by making a child? He did say he wanted kids.
“Because that would be fun. I could help you.”
God, I love this kid. “You’d be a great big sister.”
She looks up at me and her smile is so full of light. “I’m not really your daughter, but I could be like one. Sometimes, I pretend you’re my mom.”
I hate that I can’t tell her the truth. “I like being like your mom.”
Brigit gives me one of her sweet smiles and then returns to drawing. “Mr. Ifrinn isn’t so bad. He’s just grumpy.”
My brow furrows. “Have you seen him?”
She looks at me, her eyes wide and round like she realized she revealed too much. “I was hungry and went to the kitchen. He made me a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.”
For a moment, I’m panicked. I can’t have her growing attached to Phoenix. Worse, having her front and center in Phoenix’s mind. “That was nice of him, but honey, you need to avoid him. He’s a dangerous man.”
“Then why are you marrying him?”
“It’s best for the family.” I hate to take away her childhood ideals of true love, but I can’t lie to her either. “But I’ll protect you, sweetie. I promise. Just please, avoid Phoenix, okay?”
She shrugs. “Okay.”
Nanny Fiona enters with Brigit’s lunch. “Oh, I’m sorry. I should have grabbed something for you too.”
“No. It’s okay. I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”
Nanny Fiona gets Brigit set up to eat at her little table with her dolls to keep her company.
A shadow passes the doorway, one of Phoenix's men, always watching. Always listening. “Over here,” I say, moving to the closet and acting like I’m talking about Brigit’s wardrobe.
“Were you able to get the book?” I ask. It’s now more important than ever to get Brigit safely away from Phoenix.
She nods. “I’d feel better if you were coming.”
“It would be too dangerous. With everything Phoenix has going on, I think it will take him time to notice you and Brigitgone, but here I can keep an eye on him, warn you if needed.” Worried I’m asking too much, I say, “But if you don’t want to do this?—”
“I do want to do this. I just… she loves you so much and I know you love her. It will break her heart to leave.”
I fight back tears. “It has to be done. Here are the wedding arrangements.” I hand her a paper which if found would look like a schedule for the wedding, but coded with instructions on how and when Nanny and Brigit leave using one of the hired vendors as cover. “You’ll need to lie to her to get her to go.”
She nods. “I know. Hopefully, she’ll forgive me.”
“I’ll have a letter you can give her.” I hope it will be enough for her to forgive me as well. “Take her to Switzerland. My father had an old contact there who can help you get new identities. After that, disappear." My voice cracks. "Don't tell me where. It's safer if I don't know."
I pull out a small flash drive. "This has her birth certificate, medical records, everything you'll need. I haven’t gotten her passport yet, but I will.”
"The guards watch you constantly," Fiona whispers. "How will?—"
“Phoenix needs to go to my father’s downtown office if he plans to truly take over. I’ll figure out a way to get into the study and my father’s safe. I need you to be ready and have Brigit ready by the wedding, but she can’t know. We can’t risk her saying something to the wrong person.”
Fiona's eyes fill with tears.
"Once you're gone, don't contact me. Not until it's safe." I swallow hard. "If it's ever safe."
