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My mind spins, trying to make sense of it all. “What about Gregory and Tatiana? Will they get more protection too?”

“Of course. No one will get to them. I’ll make sure of it.”

The tightness in my chest loosens slightly at the thought. My father wouldn’t hesitate to take them back just to punish me. He knows how much I love them, how far I’d go to protect them.

“Come,” Konstantin says. “Let’s eat.”

I stride beside him, my mind racing. If my father could, he’d kill me without hesitation. He’s never been subtle about how much he wants me gone. He’d do it with his bare hands if given the chance.

But I can’t let that happen. If he wants to get to me, he’ll have to get through Konstantin to do it.

* * *

After Konstantin leaves, Tatiana, Gregory, and I settle in to watch a movie. I sit between them, handing out popcorn while we try to distract ourselves.

My sister leans in, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t understand why you live alone. You’re not married or anything.”

I shrug. “It’s what he wants.”

She sighs and rests her head on my shoulder. “I miss you. You should be with us.”

“I know.” I kiss the top of her head. “But I’m close, so you can come over whenever you want.”

She pulls back, her eyes wide and distant, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something. Fear, maybe?

“What’s wrong?” I ask softly.

She bites her lip, and I realize how much she’s been holding in. She may be younger, but I sometimes forget how quickly she had to grow up, just like I did. We saw too much. The abuse, the fear…it scarred us all. After Mom died, I knew I had to get us out.

“I’m scared,” she whispers.

“Of what?” I glance at Gregory, who’s intently watching the movie, his little body pressed against mine.

“Of Dad.” She swallows hard. “I heard what Konstantin said. About him wanting to…you know…” She breaks off, tears filling her eyes. “Please be careful. I don’t want you to die like Mama.”

My heart shatters. I draw her in, pressing a palm to her shoulder, trying to soothe her. “I promise I’ll be okay. Konstantin will protect us. That’s why I wanted us to live with him.”

“I know, but I’m still scared, Din.” She sniffles, her body trembling. “When I sleep, I see his face. The way he’d get angry, the way he hit you. Mama. Me.”

I hug her tighter, closing my eyes against the memory of it all. When Tatiana got older, he turned on her, too. Gregory was lucky; he was too young to remember any of it. At least that bastard didn’t touch him.

“Daddy is not scary,” Gregory says suddenly, looking up at me with wide, innocent eyes. He’s eating popcorn, oblivious to the conversation we’ve been having.

I gently ruffle his hair. “Of course not, buddy. Watch the movie.”

He nods and snuggles into my side. He was so young when we left. I don’t think he remembers what we went through, and I’m thankful for that. If not for the photos of Mom around Konstantin’s house, he wouldn’t even know what she looked like. I don’t ever want him to forget her. She loved him more than he’ll ever know.

We continue watching the TV in silence, but my phone buzzes in my lap, and I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips when I see Cillian’s name.

Tatiana leans over with a knowing grin. “It’s him, isn’t it? Your boyfriend?”

“Shh!” I giggle, trying to hide my phone while she playfully tries to grab it.

“When can I meet him? He sounds nice.”

“Soon, hopefully,” I reply, forcing my smile to stay hidden. “Now hush and watch the movie.”

She shakes her head, stuffing more popcorn in her mouth, while my pulse quickens, a grin threatening to break free.