Page 77 of Brutal Reign

“You gotta squish!” he says with certainty, demonstrating by crouching down and making himself into a tiny ball. “Like this!”

Against all logic, I follow his lead, lowering myself behind the couch. I awkwardly squeeze into place, my knees practically touching my chin, shoulders wedged against the wall.

Kin scrambles in beside me, fitting easily into the space. I’m sure I’ve never looked or felt more ridiculous, but for some reason, I don’t care.

He gives me a thumbs-up that’s so serious it’s adorable.

Being this close to him, I notice details I’ve missed before. The way his eyelashes are impossibly long. How he bites his bottom lip when he’s concentrating. The small scar on his chin that he probably got from some tumble or adventure I wasn’t there for.

“She’s coming,” he breathes, pressing closer to me, as the door to the room swings open.

“I wonder where that sneaky little boy could be hiding.” Hope’s voice carries into the room. “He’s so clever. I bet he found the perfect hiding spot.”

Kin covers his mouth with both hands, barely containing his giggles. I fight back a smile at his obvious delight.

“Maybe he’s behind this plant?” Hope continues her theatrical search. “No, not there. Could he be hiding under the pool table? Hmm, doesn’t look like it.”

Her footsteps get closer, and Kin grips my arm like this is life or death.

“Is he behind the arcade machines? No. Is he inside one of them? That would be impressive.”

Kin grabs my shirt, and I put my arm around him instinctively. I peek out from the side to see Hope’s lower bodyfrom our hiding spot. She’s wearing a casual summer dress, her feet bare, with red-painted toenails that somehow turn me on despite the circumstances.

I force myself to focus on Kin instead of the sexy way she moves.

“Should we surprise your mom?” I whisper.

He nods enthusiastically, and suddenly, I understand why people play games and hide behind couches and do other ridiculous things for the sake of a child’s joy.

“SURPRISE!” Kin explodes from our hiding spot like he’s been launched from a cannon.

I extricate myself more carefully, unfolding my cramped limbs, while Kin throws himself into Hope’s waiting arms. She catches him easily, spinning him around as he giggles and exclaims, “We won!”

I didn’t realize there were winners in hide-and-seek, but that’s beside the point.

Her deep brown eyes widen when she sees me. “How did you manage to fit back there?”

“Not comfortably,” I admit. “But Kin recruited me, and I couldn’t say no.”

“Mama, now you need to hide with Pavel,” Kin declares, wiggling out of Hope’s arms and planting himself between us. “I’m gonna find you both!”

Hope’s mouth flattens into a firm line. “I’m sure Pavel is busy with?—”

“I’m not busy at all,” I cut in smoothly, folding my arms. “Guess that means you and I get to hide together.”

She flashes me a hard smile, her nostrils flaring slightly. “Looks like it.”

Kin’s whole face lights up. “I’ll find you! Yarik can help me!”

I glance toward the hallway. “Yarik! You’re on Kin’s team,” I call out.

Within seconds, Yarik appears, looking mildly confused until Kin barrels into him and starts explaining the rules at high speed.

“But stay on this floor like I said. Okay, sweetheart?” Hope touches her son’s cheek gently. “And give us a little head start.”

I’m not sure how four-year-olds define a head start, but Kin immediately slaps his hands over his eyes and starts counting at the top of his lungs.

I turn to Hope, my pulse ticking higher at the thought of having her to myself, even for a few stolen minutes.