When I last spoke to her, she mentioned allowing Anastasia to have her support. This is the time when I should be considerate of that, no matter who it is.
“Please, Desmier.” Anastasia’s voice is small and meek, like a child’s.
“Of course, that will be okay.”
“Thank you so much. I also want to tell her what happened. She told me the other day that she knew something was off, but my parents never acknowledged it. She said my mother, my … other mother, always looked like she was hiding something when she mentioned it. Now I know why.”
“I’ll speak to Mira, so when you see her, you guys can just talk.” I want to keep those who know the truth down to a minimum for the moment.
“Thank you so much.”
I’m only agreeing to tell Mira because she’s going to be helping Anastasia, and I’ve also told Zakh, Malik, and Aleksander.
He had to know because the situation has escalated to a crime the Knights will have to deal with. My saving grace now is that Anastasia is not only my wife, but she’s also a Butyrskaya.
The fact that days have passed and there’s been no sign of Uther meant I needed more eyes and the resources that only the Knights can give me.
I’m hoping like fuck we find that bastard soon. He has far too much to answer for to enjoy freedom even for one day. Now I regret not killing him when I had the chance.
I could have done it at the wedding, but I didn’t think blowing his brains out in front of his daughter would go down well.
“What’s going to happen now? How do I move forward?” she mumbles, resting her head on my chest again.
“Together, baby. We move forward together.”
“I’m so glad I have you.”
“And I you.”
“Desmier, can you tell me more about them? My family. I mean from what you remember.”
“Yes, of course I can.” I would have offered before, but I didn’t want to make her feel worse. It’s different if she asks me.
“Your… mom loved Sundays. She used to bake these amazing cakes. I’d eat a ton before dinner and always get in trouble, bust she didn’t mind.”
She tries to smile. “Tell me more.”
I do. When her breathing slows, I know she’s drifted off. Just so I don’t wake her, I decide to stay where I am and fall asleep, too.
It seems like I only closed my eyes for a moment before my phone rings and I wake up to bright sunlight beaming through the window.
Anastasia is still out cold on my chest. When I slide her off me and onto the pillow, she doesn’t stir.
I grab my phone, answering straightaway when I see it’s Leif calling.
I pray he tells me they found Uther.
“Hey,” I greet him.
“Morning, are you up?”
“I am now. What’s going on?”
He pauses for a moment and then sighs. “It’s your father. He’s just woken up and is asking for you.”
ChapterForty-Five
Desmier