Page 41 of The Last Hope

“What’s the point of knowing how many red blood cells are in the human body, seriously ? I don’t need that to sell drugs,” Mikhail muttered, leaning over his notebook again.

I looked up at him, startled.

“You… you don’t want to have another kind of job ?” I asked cautiously, unsure how to phrase it without offending him.

This time, he glanced up, looking equally surprised.

“A job ?” he asked, curious.

I nodded with a faint smile.

“Yes, like your uncle, for example. He’s a lawyer, isn’t he ?”

“Yeah, but he works for theBratva. Same thing. He still manages shipments and all that.”

I shook my head gently, “that doesn’t change the fact that he worked hard to earn his title, or that he has knowledge others don’t. He’s the one people turn to when they’re in trouble with the law, right ? That makes him useful.”

Mikhail stared at me, clearly thinking.

“So I should be a lawyer ?” he asked, genuinely puzzled, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“No, of course not. What I’m saying is that you can become whatever you want while still being useful to your family. I don’t know… maybe an accountant to manage the finances, or even a doctor—to take care of the people you love when they’re hurt.”

“A doctor ?” he repeated, frowning slightly, scratching his chin as if truly considering the possibility.

“I’m gonna be a race car driver so I can win all our races like Uncle Roman!” Andrei suddenly shouted, flinging his colorful hands into the air.

“And I’m going to be an engineer to build faster cars so you can win even more easily !” Alexei added, lifting his bright, determined eyes. I smiled even wider.

“Those are amazing goals, boys. I’m sure you’ll succeed,” I said, gently rubbing Alexei’s back. For the second time that day, he gave me a smile that warmed my heart.

“And what about you, Rafael ? What do you want to be ?” Andrei asked suddenly, turning his excited gaze to my son.

Rafael straightened, glanced at me, then answered with unwavering pride, “I’m going to be the strongest fighter of all time—and I’ll protect my mom.”

My smile faltered. That was his dream—to be strong enough to protect me. No child should ever have to think that way.

“No ! I’m going to be the strongest and protect Mom !” Andrei shouted, and just like that, another argument erupted between them.

I sighed, about to rise and separate them when Nikolaï’s voice echoed behind me.

“There’s no need to argue about that. She already has a protector,” he said as he approached, hands tucked in his pockets.

I hadn’t even heard him come in—how long had he been standing there ? What had he heard ?

What if he’d taken offense to my suggestion that his son choose a different path ? What if he decided I needed to be punished for that ?

A cold sweat broke across my skin. I glanced over my shoulder and gasped when I realized how close he was—my nose nearly brushed his white shirt.

When had he gotten so close ?

His scent—fresh and faintly spiced—invaded my senses again. I gripped the table’s edge and turned away.

“But I’m the one who has to protect her !” Rafael insisted, pushing back his chair and stepping forward.

I couldn’t help but giggle when I saw the colorful smudges on his serious little face.

I felt Nikolaï’s eyes on me as I covered my mouth, trying not to let Rafael think I was laughing at him.