Page 71 of Den of Thieves
Karina shook her head. Anya was and will always be a daddy’s girl. Eventually Alexander pulled back, and after one last kiss to her cheek, walked over to Vladimir’s arms as well. The only one who refused to let go of his hold on her neck was Artym.
“Love you,” Karina looked down to his hazel and blue eyes and smiled. At least she had one baby to shower her with unconditional love and affection.
“I love you too, Peanut,” she said, kissing his rosy cheek.
“Moi malen’kiye kheruvimy! Come on, the surf instructor won’t wait all day.” My little cherubs. Gustaf called from the back den. He rounded the corner and his eyes widened.
“Well, this is a surprise,” he grinned.
“I hope you can get your money back because we’re here to take the children to Disney World.” Vladimir smirked. He bought out the park on the flight over and Karina promised he could be the one to tell them. Everyone covered their ears to drown out the rambunctious screaming that took place.
“Go find your nannies, little ones, and have them pack your bags,” Gustaf said. He turned his grandson and granddaughter-in-law. “Do you mind if an old man tags along?”
Vladimir raised his eyebrows is surprise. “They haven’t worn you ragged yet?”
“The children and I have come to an understanding. Besides, I love them too much to quit being their guardian cold turkey.”
Even as he spoke, his eyes wandered down the glass hallway. Karina’s eyes followed, catching a robust woman that looked like a local Panamanian, herding the children into the bath.
“You’re welcome to see them anytime you like—”
“We’d love for you to tag along,” Karina cut him off. Vlad looked at her strangely, but she ignored him, looping her arm through Gustaf’s. “Tell me all about your adventures with my little troublemakers. And don’t leave out your future wife, mister.”
Gustaf laughed. “You’re eyes see more than what’s on the surface, granddaughter. I always loved that about you. “
They walked off, leaving Vladimir to wonder what the heck had just happened.
By the time everyone was loaded onto the plane, the children were asleep or well on their way. Alexander and Anastasia were parked in front of the flatscreen, watching Moana under the watchful gaze of Emilda. Gustaf sat to her right. Trying and failing to hide his obvious infatuation.
Karina thought his discomfort was adorable. As Gustaf commonly let it be known that no woman could resist his charm or his money. That was until he hired the beautiful woman to care for his great grandchildren. She loved the little ones deeply and spared Gustaf no attention beside that of her employer.
Karina and Gustaf were turning over a new leaf on their relationship, so she decided not to tease him. Too much.
“Why don’t we lay him down, Solynchnka?” Vladimir stood to his feet and reached a hand down to help her up.
Artym lay on her chest, fast asleep. She shook her head, holding him tighter. “I’ve never spent this much time away from my babies. They’ve grown so much.”
“You’re exhausted—”
“I’m okay,” she said, blinking the unexpected tears from her eyes. “I got a call before we took off from Russia.”
Vladimir nodded, not following.
“The construction at the Insitut auf Wilhelm just finished. I should be getting a list of the children’s schedules and extracurriculars any day now.” The news should have brought her joy as the workers finished way ahead of schedule. Instead, it only brought her dread.
“Solynchnka, you know this is what is best,” Vladimir said, his words soft yet stern. He wiped a tear from her cheek, only for it to be replaced by another.
“I’m going to miss them growing up. Artym has grown another inch since we’ve been apart. I’m afraid,” she cried. “I’m afraid they’ll resent me for sending them away. I’m afraid they won’t remember who I am. I’m afraid they won’t want to.”
Vladimir frowned. She knew he hated seeing her upset, but her feelings could not be helped.
“Karina, no one thinks that you do not love the children or that they do not love you. It is because we love them so much, that we must send them away. For their safety. This is something we cannot compromise on. Our enemies’ desire is to see us fall, by any means necessary. I will not sacrifice the safety and happiness of my family to stay on top. If that means spending ten million dollars on security, then so be it.”
“Twenty.”
“What?” His eyebrows lifted, hinting at his confusion.
Karina cleared her throat. She couldn’t believe she forgot to tell him the final terms of the children’s enrollment to Wilhelm. She couldn’t stop her voice from lifting and her words tumbled out in the form of a question.