Page 32 of Born into Madness
“Because we’ve never talked about the possibility of you being a dad one day.” He shrugs and looks back at the nursery. It’s empty at the moment, all the newborns back with their mothers, but the image of Val’s daughter is still fresh in both our minds.
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” I finally say to break the silence.
“Just because you have certain urges doesn’t mean your children will too.” He puts his attention back on me and adds, “I won’t bug you about it. I just wanted you to know that I think you could have a family one day. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I don’t know. I think Chort likes being an only child.”
My dad grins and squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t ever let that dog near a baby.”
“He can be a real sweetheart,” I say, remembering how good he is with Cyn and feeling the need to defend him.
“Sure he can,” my dad says with a laugh.
A few minutes later, it’s our turn in the room, and when Val and Yel’s baby is put in my arms, I try not to think about what my dad’s said. I’ve never once thought about kids, about the possibility of having one, because I never had any interest in sex and I especially never had any interest in spending my life with someone, but now I’ve got a sore dick because Cyn’s name is inked on it and a beautiful redhead that I can’t get out of my head.
Pushing the thoughts aside, I ask, “So what’s her name?”
Yel smiles at us and says, “Her name is Veya.”
My Uncle Vitaly jumps in and says, “Isn’t that sweet? It’s a mix of Matvey and Alina.” He gives his daughter a very pointed look. “Yel named her baby after her parents. You better have another baby real quick and name them after your mom and me or we’re going to be real offended.”
“No, we will not,” my Aunt Katya quickly says, making my uncle laugh and wrap his arm around her so he can cover her mouth.
“She meant to say that she thinks Kataly has a nice ring to it,” he says.
Sveta laughs and looks at her husband while she says, “For sure, Dad. Vitya and I will get right on that.”
“Vitya is a mix of Vitaly and Katya,” I say, making everyone laugh.
My uncle drops his hand from his wife’s mouth so she can freely laugh. He looks at me and says, “Good god, you’re right.”
“That’s really sweet,” my dad says, grinning his ass off at his brother. “It’s like it was meant to be.”
My Uncle Vitaly smiles back. “At least he’s Russian.”
“Fucker,” my dad mutters while I look down at the tiny baby in my arms. She looks so small and fragile and way too innocent for someone like me to be holding, but instead of being scared, her brown eyes look up at me, alert and curious, but not a trace of fear in them.
I watch her for a few more minutes before putting her back in my cousin’s arms. “She’s beautiful, Yel,” I tell her, running my fingers over her soft hair before letting her go.
Yel runs her finger over her daughter’s cheek. “She is. She’s so perfect.”
Val’s gaze is on his wife and daughter, and it’s such an intimate moment that I feel the need to leave. I say goodbye toeveryone and get my ass out of the hospital. There are too many things racing through my mind right now, and I don’t know what to do about any of them. I feel out of balance, and the only thing I want is to see Cyn again. Checking my phone, I stare down at the image of her dark dorm room.
Perfect, she’s already asleep. My little Cyn doesn’t know it, but she’s about to get another late-night visit from me.
Chapter 6
Cynthia
It’s been three weeks since I last saw the crazy masked man. I should be happy about this, and I can’t understand why I’m not. The fact that he’s decided to leave me alone and not add me to the pile of bodies he must routinely leave behind him should make me feel grateful, not irritated and confused and wishing he’d show himself again. I’ve always put my studies first, but every day that passes makes it a little harder to focus. I’m not falling behind, but I’m not on top of things in the way that I like to be.
Pushing aside thoughts of the man with the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen, I force myself to pay attention to Professor Borzov. I go through the motions, taking notes and marking pages I need to go back and study harder, and when class is finally over, I breathe a sigh of relief and start to gather everything up. While I’m juggling my books and heading towards the door, I hear the professor call my name.
Stifling a groan, I turn and smile. “Yes, Professor Borzov?”
He motions for me to come to him, and when I get there, he gives me a smile that feels more pervy than teacherly. “You’re doing really well in class,” he says.
“Thanks.” When he keeps staring at me, I say, “Did you need something?”
