Page 92 of Cinderella and the Daddy

Grigori's jaw works, but he doesn't offer excuses. Good. At least he's smart enough to know when he's fucked up.

"It will never happen again," he says finally.

"No," I agree. "It won't. Because if you ever let harm come to her again, if you ever fail to protect what's mine, I will personally feed you to the wolves. Are we clear?"

"Crystal clear, boss."

"Good. She gets a shadow from now on. Twenty-four-seven coverage when I'm not with her.”

“Yes, sir.”

"What about Kozlov?" Grigori asks.

"What about him?"

"He's going to retaliate. Tonight was a declaration of war."

"Let him come," I say, settling behind my desk. "We've got the defensive advantage, better intel, and superior motivation. He wants money and respect. I'm fighting for my family."

Grigori nods, understanding the distinction. Money and respect are replaceable. Family is not.

"Anything else?" I ask.

"The cleanup at the warehouse is done. No trace evidence, no witnesses. As far as the authorities are concerned, it was an electrical fire that got out of hand."

"And the bodies?"

"Casualties of the fire."

Good man.

I dismiss him with a wave and lean back in my chair, finally allowing myself to process the events of the night. Drew and Anna are dead.

But Yuri Kozlov is still out there. He's coming for us, and when he does, it won't be subtle or merciful.

His mistake. And it's going to be the last one he ever makes.

I stand feeling the tug of stitches in my shoulder. Before I go to Leo, I need to clean up. I will not let him feel fear. I know I can’t prevent it forever, but I will for as long as I can.

An hour later, I find Leo and Cindy in the kitchen.

She’s making him cookies.

The woman just went through hell, but she’s acting like she just returned from the spa. I can still smell the faint odor of gasoline on her. I realize my selfish ass showered while she took care of my son.

I slide up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck. “Go shower.”

“Do you know how to bake cookies?”

“No.”

“Then it can wait another ten minutes.”

I consider scolding her for defying me, but I know that will only start one of our arguments. I like arguing with her. It usually ends with me buried inside her.

But tonight, it’s about taking care of Leo. He needs to feel like everything is okay.

Because sadly, I have a feeling the coming days will be anything but okay.