Page 98 of The Last Hope

“A shot?” I repeated, looking at Selina, who gave me a soft smile.

“He means his vaccine. We haven’t done it yet for his eighth birthday. I would’ve taken him, but Elif said it could be dangerous,” she said. “I know it’s not the best time…”

I shook my head and stepped closer to them, “no, let’s go. It’s important,” I said, ruffling Rafael’s hair.

“Will it hurt him too much?” Andrei asked, giving me a worried look.

“No, he won’t feel a thing. And I’ll be there the whole time, don’t worry,” I said, glancing at Rafael.

But he wouldn’t meet my gaze, instead stealing quick looks at Selina and I frowned. I’d never seen him this… anxious before. Probably just nerves about the shot.

“I’ll go grab his jacket,” Selina said, kissing Rafael’s hair before leaving the room.

As we waited downstairs, the closer we got to the exit, the stronger the feeling grew—something wasn’t right.

Elif and Grigori joined us by the door.

Elif’s pale complexion didn’t surprise me, given everything happening, but Grigori’s expression—something about it was off.

“Is there a problem ?” I asked my brother softly.

When his eyes met mine, I knew something was really wrong. But Grigori shook his head, and I couldn’t press further because Selina arrived, carrying Rafael’s jacket—and mine.

She helped me put it on with a small smile, “come on, boys, let’s see what the girls are cooking for dinner,” Elif said, leading Andrei, Alexei, and Mikhail toward the kitchen.

Grigori followed, but not before lingering on Rafael a moment too long.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You’re so brave,Angelo mio, I’m so proud of you,” Selina said, zipping up Rafael’s jacket.

She pulled him into a tight hug, kissing him multiple times, her eyes shining. And I told myself she must be like this because it was only their second time apart.

“Don’t worry, Mama. I’m a big boy now. I’ll see you soon, I promise !” Rafael said, kissing his mother before heading outside to climb into the car.

I smiled, watching him refuse David’s help as he scrambled into the massive SUV on his own.

“Don’t worry, Selina. I’ll bring him ba—” I started to say, turning back to her.

But I didn’t get to finish—because she suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. And damn, I didn’t even remember what I was about to say.

I wrapped an arm around her waist, my hand trailing up her cheek, then her neck, deepening the kiss.

Her hands slid down from my shoulders to my chest. Then she slowly pushed me away.

“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, I kissed her again to silence her, feeling her fists tighten against my jacket.

“Never apologize for kissing me,” I said softly, smiling.

But she closed her eyes, shaking her head, her lips pressed together.

Something was fucking wrong.

“Selina ? What’s going on ?” I asked, brushing her hair back and cupping her face.

She took my hands, pulling them away from her face and pressing them against her chest, looking up at me with those huge green eyes and sighing softly.

“Nikolai, everything will be okay. Your brother will come home and… and…” she stopped, closing her eyes again and lowering her head as I frowned, trying to understand her behavior.

Her hands—ice cold, I only noticed it now, too distracted by that unexpected kiss.

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