Page 53 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

Rose shakes her head, beaming.“Nope!It’s me and Mama, and Doggy too.I drew a big tree with pink flowers, just like the one in the yard.”

I nod, giving her an encouraging smile.“That sounds beautiful, Rose.Maybe you’ll show it to me tomorrow?”

She nods, eager, offering me a wide grin.“I will!It’s in my room.”

She’s lost in her story again, her little voice chiming on, her face animated with each word.She has her mother’s heart-shaped face, her mother’s warmth.But it’s not that resemblance that intrigues me.

My gaze sharpens, noting the gleam in Rose’s eyes in the dim light.They are dark green, deep as pine forests in winter.I frown, that odd familiarity gripping me harder.There’s something about it that reminds me of someone else.

It finally dawns on me.Rose’s eyes are the same color as my mother’s.A quiet ache twists in my chest, catching me off guard.I force myself to breathe, to relax my grip on the fork.I’ve only ever seen this exact color within the Boyle family.

I shake off that thought.There are endless shades of green.It has to be a coincidence.Clinging to that notion, I shove the idea to the back of my mind.Alexia’s father, Ivan, has green eyes too.That must be it.

Rose glances up, meeting my gaze, and tilts her head.“You think I look like Mama, Mr.Dave?”

Alexia’s expression tightens just slightly, her hand reaching for her wine glass.I catch the flicker of emotion in her eyes, but she says nothing, her gaze dropping back to her plate.

Rose’s question hits me hard.Clearing my throat, I give Rose a small smile.“Yes, honey.You do look a lot like your mama.”

The child’s gaze locks onto Alexia, and she smiles, a dimple appearing on her left cheek.“Mr.Dave knows my daddy, Mama?”She swings her head to face me again before Alexia can breathe out a word.Rose asks me, “You know him, right?Where’s my daddy?”

Her words cut through the air and Alexia’s gaze snaps toward me, her body tensing, but I keep my focus on the four-year-old across the table.

I manage a smile that probably looks more like a grimace.Nodding, I try to buy some time, repeating, “Your daddy?”My voice comes out rougher than I intended.

I run my fingers through my hair as I struggle to find the right answer, one that won’t betray my thoughts.

Rose’s little head tilts, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity.“Mama says he’s away on a long trip.But he hasn’t called me.”Her voice drops, and she stirs her food with her fork, her gaze downcast.

Something hard lodges in my chest, and I can’t ignore it.Her father’s absence shouldn’t matter.But an urge swells unexpectedly in me.An impulse to pull Rose into my arms and tell her she doesn’t need to worry about Igor—or anyone.

Instead, I clear my throat to alleviate the dryness there and shift her focus.“I heard you and Pete found a new place to play?”I ask, using a light tone to ease the moment.“Nadya says you were quite happy with it.”

Rose’s face lights up, and the tension dissipates as she dives into a description of a room in the attic chockful of board games and toys.

Alexia lets out a soft, nearly imperceptible sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly.When she looks at me, there’s gratitude in her eyes, mixed with a raw vulnerability that pulls me in.

Warmth seeps into my chest, a feeling I thought I’d buried years ago.I want to tell her that this time, things will be different—that she and Rose won’t ever need to look over their shoulders again.

Alexia is mine, I think, the words echoing in my mind with fierce certainty.And Rose belongs here, too.

These thoughts are dangerously possessive, but I don’t care.After everything we’ve been through, this feels right.

Then, Alexia’s expression flickers, as if she’s just remembered something.Maybe she’s sensed my dark thoughts.She averts her gaze, her fingers tracing nervous patterns on her napkin.

Rose’s soft giggle brings us back, breaking the intensity of the moment.She’s watching us with wide, curious eyes.“Mama, can I go play with Doggy now?”

Alexia nods, giving her a gentle smile.“Of course, my love.Nadya is in the kitchen waiting for you.”

Rose scrambles out of her chair, leaving her napkin in a messy heap as she rushes to the door.She pauses, turning back to me with a shy smile.“Goodnight, Mr.Dave,” she says, her dark green eyes locking with mine again, those eyes that look so achingly familiar.

“Goodnight, Rose,” I murmur, my voice softer than usual.

She gives us a quick wave, then disappears into the hallway, her laughter echoing faintly as she runs off to find Nadya.

The room falls into silence once more, thick with unspoken words and promises neither of us can fully voice.I watch Alexia, her fingers twisting together, her gaze dropping, vulnerable in a way that clashes with my memories of her fearless younger self.A fierce need to protect her—and to keep her with me—surges within.

She belongs here with me.With Rose.The words invade my mind, echoing in my heart.

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