My jaw drops as the home comes into view.
It’shuge. Bigger than the Morozova estate, than Emilio’s, than any home I’ve ever been inside. It’s all stone, reminding me of an old-time castle. Straining my neck to look up, I notice more armed men on the roof, perched up like birds.
We don’t stop at the front door. Andre speeds past the men and landscapers, only slowing when we reach a set of double doors tucked in the back.
He brakes, throws the golf cart into Park, and hops out.
Emilio and I follow him through the doors, landing in a large living room that screams just as much wealth as the exterior of the home. While the furniture and decor look expensive, the space also feels cozy and comfortable. Family pictures hang on the wall and are displayed on the end table and coffee table.
A tall woman—my guess, in her mid-fifties—stands from the couch. Her dark hair is pulled into a sleek bun, and she’s wearing a Chanel pantsuit.
She barely pays a glance at Emilio before her eyes cut to me in suspicion. “Who’s she?”
“Ma,” Andre says, sounding tired, “I told you Emilio was bringing his wife.”
Her gaze lingers on me, still untrusting. “Does she know what’ll happen if she tells anyone about Aurora?”
“She won’t talk,” Emilio says flatly, stepping slightly in front of me in protectiveness.
“She’s who dug the bullet out of me last night,” Andre adds. “Be nice to her.” He turns to look at me. “She’s protective of my wife.”
I understand Aurora’s attraction to Andre.
His face is strikingly handsome with a natural tan complexion, high cheekbones, and a sleek jaw. Eyes and hair the color of straight coffee. His body is lean and muscular. He also has the wholeserial killer with a smilevibe going on.
“Rightfully so,” Andre’s mother says, still eyeing me like I’m about to pull out a gun and shoot the place up. “You know the wrath I’d force your father to unleash if anything were to happen to Aurora or the baby.”
So, they call her Aurora, not Hannah?
Emilio brushes his hand along my back to put me at ease. “Angelica, I promise, you can trust Liliya.”
“Liliya.” She repeats my name.
I shift uncomfortably, not sure if she’s saying it so she’ll remember the next time she sees me or so she doesn’t forget the name she’ll put a hit out on if needed.
Her smile is half sincere, half patronizing. “Pretty name.”
“Angelica,” Emilio warns at the same time Andre groans, “Ma.”
“No arguing or violent threats when the baby is around,” a sweet, tired voice calls out.
Aurora appears, looking exhausted but on top of the world, carrying a baby bundled in a pink blanket. Her hair is pulled back in a tight braid, and she’s dressed in pajamas and UGG slippers.
She grins when she notices us. “She’s ready to meet her uncle Emilio.”
All eyes are on my husband as he steps forward, his gaze locked on the little one in Aurora’s arms.
Aurora rocks her in place. “We named her Evalina.”
Emilio freezes for a moment, scratching the back of his head. “You named her after Mom?”
“I did.” Aurora looks down and softly runs her finger over Evalina’s cheek. “She has her eyes.” She motions toward the couch. “Sit down. You can hold her.”
Emilio’s steps are slow, and the other woman slides to the other end of the couch to give him room. He reaches out, gently taking Evalina in his arms, as if she were made from glass.
As she’s tucked in his hold, for a moment, his body goes still.
Everyone tries to pretend their attention isn’t fully on him.
