Page 43 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

Alexia’s lips curve into a soft smile as she looks over at her daughter.Rose is chattering away, her voice full of excitement as she tells Pete about the adventures they’ll have after breakfast.“She is,” Alexia murmurs.“She doesn’t feel like she has to look over her shoulder all the time.”

I nod, understanding the weight behind her words.Rose has been through too much.She’s been forced to grow up too fast, to be aware of dangers no child should have to face.But here, in this sun-drenched room, surrounded by people who care about her, she can just be a kid again.

And that’s what Alexia wants more than anything—for Rose to be safe, to be happy.I am aware of that.

As the conversation flows around us, I let my mind drift to what comes next.The safehouse is well-guarded, the security measures in place are solid, but I can’t afford to become complacent.I need to strengthen the perimeter, bring in more guards, upgrade the technology.I’ll do whatever it takes to make this place impenetrable, to make sure no one—not even Igor—can get close to them.

However, Alexia needs to feel safe in more than just a physical sense.She needs emotional security, a sense of stability.And that’s going to take time.And trust.

I glance at her again, watching as she wipes a crumb from Rose’s cheek with her thumb, the tenderness in her movements undeniable.She’s a good mother.Fiercely protective, even though she’s scared herself.And that stirs something in me.Something deeper than just the desire to protect her, to protect them both.

I take another sip of coffee, letting the warmth spread through me as I consider my next steps.There’s one card I haven’t played yet.I want to keep that card close to my chest for now.It’ll be a surprise.Something to show Alexia that I’m thinking ahead, that I’m anticipating her needs before she even voices them.

As the kids begin to grow restless, Nadya stands and motions for them to follow her.“Come on, you two rascals.Let’s explore the garden before it gets too hot.”

Rose’s face lights up at the mention of the garden, and she quickly jumps out of her chair, her excitement contagious.“Can we go see the flowers, Mama?”

Alexia smiles, nodding.“Of course, bunny.Go have fun.”

Rose bounces on her heels, eager to play.“Let’s go, Pete!We have to find those butterflies for our adventure!”She glances back at Alexia with a grin.“Mama, we’ll find the biggest one just for you!”

Pete is already halfway to the door, and Rose hurries after him, her laughter trailing behind her.Nadya follows at a more leisurely pace, casting a knowing glance at me before disappearing out the door.

Rose rushes back in to give Alexia a quick hug while flashing me a proud grin.“Mama, Dave, don’t worry!We’ll protect the garden from all the grumpy bugs!”

Alexia laughs softly, a faint sparkle in her eyes as she smooths Rose’s hair.“You’re the bravest bug-buster I know.”

Rose darts out of the sunroom, and as her laughter fades down, the room feels quieter, more intimate.Alexia’s eyes follow her daughter until she’s out of sight, her expression softening.But I can see the tension creeping back into her posture, her shoulders stiffening once more.

“You don’t have to worry,” I say quietly, reaching out to rest my hand over hers, brushing her knuckles with a thumb.“I’ve got top-notch security here.Rose is safe.”

Alexia looks down at our hands for a long moment before meeting my gaze.“I know,” she says, placing her other hand over mine.Her voice trembles slightly when she adds, “It’s just hard not to worry.”

I squeeze her hand gently before leaning until my nose is a breath away from hers.“I get it.That’s conditioned behavior stemming from the horrors you’ve experienced.Believe me, I understand,” I say, my voice low and steady.“But I promise you.No one’s going to hurt her or you.Not here.”

Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the air between us feels charged with everything we haven’t said.She doesn’t have to trust me completely yet.But she will.I’ll make sure of it.

I press a brief, searing kiss to her lips because I can’t help myself.Then, I sit up again and take another sip of coffee.I offer her a reassuring smile.“I’ve got to work at the study for a while.”

“Okay,” she murmurs, drinking from her mug but keeping her gaze trained on my face.

We both know this isn’t over.The world outside is still waiting, with all its dangers and threats.But for now, in this sunlit room, we’re in this together.

And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take that away from us.

17

Alexia

The morning sun casts a lazy glow over the sprawling lawn, softening the edges of the mansion’s stately white facade as it rises behind me.The air smells of salt and summer, carried from the harbor nearby, where sleek boats glint under the clear sky.The garden stretches down the hill, fragrant with the scent of blooming hydrangeas.

Everything about this place is serene—almost magical.But serenity is a lie here.We are surrounded by heavily armed Mafia soldiers.They’re the toughest men in the world, carrying military-grade weapons.Even though we can’t see them now, nothing is serene about our situation.No matter how beautiful this place is, it can’t calm the war brewing inside me.

Perched on the edge of the pool, dangling my feet in the cool water, I watch Nadya playing with the kids in the water.Rose laughs, her high and bright giggle ringing out as Pete splashes her.She retaliates with a handful of water, and he shrieks in delight.They’re innocent, untouched by the darkness that’s seeped into every corner of my life.

My eyes stay on my daughter, taking in her curls bouncing in the sunlight, her pink swimsuit clinging to her small frame.She’s so little, so full of light.I almost forget where I am, what I’ve done.Almost.Guilt is a slow poison, winding through my veins, seeping into the quiet moments, like this one.I can’t tear my gaze from Rose.Each giggle, each flash of her wide, innocent smile, twists the knife deeper.She doesn’t know—can’t know—that her whole existence is a lie.She’s a secret I’ve kept locked away for years.A secret I’ve convinced myself is necessary, for her safety and mine.My fingers brush against a scar on my back—a thin, jagged line courtesy of Igor’s cruelty.I shiver, and the morning warmth is unable to banish that ghostly chill.

A memory sneaks up on me before I can push it back—a fleeting image of Dave, his arm around me as we lay tangled in his bed.Back when we were together, he talked about having a big family with me.That goofy grin of his would light up his gorgeous face.I would pretend to be shocked at that notion.In reality, I felt a spark of hope in those moments.Raising a big family with Dave was all I ever wanted from life since I can remember.That dream died when I chose to marry Igor to protect those I loved.

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