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I have a hunch of what it might be, but I'll reserve judgement for after we get the information from Mother Superior.

"It's definitely something valuable if so many people are willing to bet everything on it."

"We find out what that is, and we find Miles. Because an operation of this magnitude is bound to need a lot of space to manage that flow of people. And most definitely, we're talking about alotof crooked officials that allow this to happen."

"Dear God, but that means levels and levels of corruption," she adds, horrified.

"Yes. And knowing how dangerous going that deep is going to be, I would have ceased this immediately for your safety. But they are already targeting us, so I need to make sure they are wiped off the face of this Earth. Only then will I be at peace," I say, resolute in my decision to end this for good.

As long as anyone aims to hurt my Sisi, then they are as good as dead.

"Vlad," she turns to me, "you know I would never let you do that. Even if it was for my safety. Youneedto find your sister, and even more, youneedto find out what happened to Vanya. Otherwise you'll never be able to move past this."

She raises her hand, fitting it to my cheek.

"You've seen how unlocking some of your memories has helped you. I believe that once you know for sure what happened to you two there you will be able to move on. And maybe your episodes will disappear too—this time forever," she says softly, her warm gaze full of love.

"You're right." I take a deep breath. "And I do need to get better. For you," I start, leaning into her touch, "and for the family we'll have in the future. I know I wouldn't be able to trust myself with…" I trail off and she knows exactly what I mean as her mouth pulls into a sad smile.

"You're enough for me, Vlad. I just want you to be better foryou."

"I may be enough now," I trail a finger down her face, tucking a strand behind her ear, "but I won't be enough forever," I tell her sincerely.

I'd known this ever since I'd seen how affected she'd been by the miscarriage. She is so kind and so full of love that any child would be lucky to have her.

"You're going to want children eventually, Sisi, and Ineedto be normal enough to be able to give them to you."

"Vlad…"

"No," I place my finger on her lips, "don't lie to me and don't lie to yourself, Sisi. I know you will want a family someday. And I want that too, because I know what a great mother you'll make. But until that moment comes, I'll do my best to work on myself, so that I'm not a danger to you, or to our children."

"God, Vlad," she whispers, her eyes glossy with tears, "why are you so perfect?" she sighs deeply.

"I'm not. But I aim to be. For you," I lean in to kiss her forehead.

34

VLAD

"We need to focus on her office and her living quarters," I tell Sisi after we'd carefully watched some of the footage from Sacre Coeur, making some notes regarding Mother Superior's patterns.

"She is the type of person who would keep everything on paper," Sisi notes as she dons her habit again.

Unlike the nuns who'd taken their vows, her habit isn't black, but a light-blue.

"I can't believe I have to wear this again," she mutters under her breath as she stuffs her hair into the headpiece. "Well?" she turns toward me, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want me to say? To me you'd look hot dressed in anything."

"This," she huffs out a breath, taking a hand mirror and examining her birthmark. "That's why I hated these headpieces. This is always so visible." She releases a disappointed sigh.

"Sisi." In two steps I'm behind her, turning her to face me and making her drop the mirror. "This," I brush my hand across her red mark, "only makes you more unique. It gives your beauty character."

I lean in to kiss the spot right above her eyebrow, "The sum of your imperfections is what makes you perfect to me, Sisi."

"There you go again with your honeyed words," she murmurs, blushing to the roots of her hairs.

"Don't put your head down again," I tip her chin up so she can look in my eyes, "I told you hell girl. From now on everyone's going tobowto you, not look down on you."