Maybe once the threat of Budimir is gone, I could get on board with hiring some help. But not until then.
I set Phoenix in his crib to play while I take a quick shower. When I’m clean, I go to my new wardrobe and throw open its doors.
The day after we’d moved in here, Artem had brought a selection of clothes for me.
I knew it was probably superficial of me, but I was thrilled. I’d spent so many months living in the same two items that it felt amazing to be able to swap out my old clothes for new, stylish ones.
I choose dark jeans that fit me perfectly and I pair them with a teal silk blouse and a beige cashmere sweater that’s so soft I could sleep in it. I leave my hair loose around my shoulders and then I change Phoenix. Artem brough in a selection of clothes for him too, but only a few.
He’d understood that I might want to do most of his shopping on my own.
And that’s precisely what I planned on doing today.
I put a fresh diaper on Phoenix and then I help him into light blue overalls and white booties with little sailboats on the sides.
He looks so gorgeous that I can’t help myself—I take a bunch of pictures on my phone and send them to Artem.
Then I grab Phoenix’s diaper bag and head downstairs with the little one in tow.
The moment I enter the building’s entryway, I spy my bodyguards. Alik has ash-blonde hair, dark eyes, and the palest skin I’ve ever seen.
Gennadi is dark-haired, with light blue eyes and a grisly beard that hides how pretty his face is underneath.
I wave to them and they both approach me immediately.
They’re dressed in plainclothes just like Artem told me they would be, but nothing but about says “civilian.” They look like military men going home for the summer.
“Madam Kovalyov,” Gennadi greets me.
I raise my eyebrows at him. “Call me that one more time and we’re gonna have problems,” I warn. “My name is Esme.”
“Would you prefer Ms. Esme?” Alik asks respectfully.
“No, I wouldn’t,” I reply, before steering towards the exit. “Come on, boys.”
* * *
There’s a dark blue jeep parked in one of the designated resident parking spots outside the building. Alik gets into the driver’s seat, Gennadi takes the passenger seat, and I get into the back with Phoenix to buckle him into his car seat.
“Where to?” Gennadi asks, purposefully avoiding addressing me.
I suppress a smile at his decorum. “Um, how about Citadel Outlets?” I suggest. “They’ll have lots of different stores for you, right, cielito?”
It’s an easy drive there. I alternate between gazing out at the azure California sky and tickling Phoenix just so I can hear his musical laugh.
When we get to the Citadel, I get out the moment the car is parked.
“Which one of you boys are gonna carry Phoenix’s diaper bag for me?” I ask cheerfully, waggling the pink-and-purple duffle between them.
Alik and Gennadi exchange a look, but they both offer their arms out to me. I hand it to Gennadi. Lucky man.
Alik helps me load Phoenix into the stroller. Then, with everybody situated, we walk into the nearest store, a huge Osh Kosh, while the two of them stay constantly roving around me, scanning for threats.
An hour and three bulging shopping bags later, we exit. Thankfully, the car is parked close enough that the boys are able to drop off my bags before moving on down the street.
Phoenix makes a gurgling noise, and I stop to stoop over and check on him.
“Are you hungry?” I murmur. “Should we stop for lunch?”
Standing again, I’m doing a slow pirouette, trying to decide which café to choose, when I see something bizarrely familiar. Or someone, rather.
Our gazes lock.
And I damn near scream.
Oh my God.
It’s Tamara.