I don’t know how she plans on stocking the apartment with clothes and toys. The stipend I’ve given her covers food and necessities, but not another wardrobe.
“We don’t need anything else. Thank you,” she says with a tight-lipped smile. It’s an act. She’s keeping it a show for the twins, like they chose to stay here for a while as if this was bed-and-breakfast.
I glance at Ardian.
If she doesn’t take the suitcases, the plan will never work.
There’s a bug and a tracker sewn into the luggage lining, just in case she bails the minute she arrives at the apartment.
“I would like to see you again,” I say, pinning Aleksandra with my stare. This isn’t the end, not by a long shot. Sophia and Liam are mine. Letting them go is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s not without cause.
“That’s probably not a good idea.” She stares at me, her lips pressed together.
I lean closer, invading her personal space. I wrap my arms around her waist, hugging her goodbye, and let my lips linger beside her ear. “They are my children,Tesorina.”
She pulls back, but I don’t release my grasp from her hips. There’s a flicker of fear behind her gaze. Does she worry that I won’t let her leave with her children?
“We can arrange visits on holidays, birthdays, that sort of thing,” she whispers. It’s as if she’s silently pleading with me to set her free and willing to give me a promise of anything to obtain her freedom.
But I don’t want an empty promise.
“I would like that,” I say, my gaze latched onto hers. “Stay right here.” I untangle from her and withdraw to the living room to retrieve two teddy bears that I gave to the twins and were abandoned by the children amongst the mass of toys and children staying at the complex.
The stuffed bears aren’t just any typical toy. While they look cute and cuddly, the black glassy eyes house a camera and two lenses to provide superior video footage. A microphone is tucked into each bear’s ear and a tracker is nestled deep inside.
I bring the two toys to the twins, handing one to Liam and the other to Sophia.
“How about a stuffed animal to take home?” I say, offering the kids a warm and friendly smile. I’ve barely spent any time with the three of them together. It’s no wonder they look timid in my presence.
Aleksandra opens her mouth but quickly shuts it as I hand the kids the stuffed animals.
“Thank you,” Liam says.
“What do you say, Sophia?” Aleksandra says to her daughter.
“Thanks.” Sophia cuddles the teddy bear, rubbing noses with the dark brown fur, and gives it a tight squeeze.
“You’re welcome,” I say and open the front door, leading them into the garage.
I hand Aleksandra a slip of paper with my cell phone number. “Memorize it in case you need anything,” I say. While I doubt she’ll call me, I want her to know that I’m available anytime.
“Thanks.”
Mario is right on my heel, grabbing the keys and following us to the vehicle. He opens the back door for the twins to climb onto the bench seat. The vehicle is already running, and the garage is open, making it chilly inside, but the car should already be warm and toasty.
“You’re not driving us?” Aleksandra asks as she stares at me, her voice soft, tentative. Is she making sure that no one overhears us?
“Mario will make sure that you get to the apartment safely,” I say. “He has the keys and will make sure it’s safe before you head inside.”
She glances past me into the back seat at the twins. They’re oblivious to the dangers of the world around them. But she can’t be naïve.
“Thank you,” she whispers, staring at me.
“If anything ever changes, you are welcome to stay here, with us, become part of the family.” I’m making her an offer that I don’t make to just anyone.
An invitation to become part of the Moretti family.
I don’t expect her to take me up on the offer.