26. Annalise

26

ANNALISE

“ A nnalise,” Isabella calls out, holding up two swimsuits, one in each hand. “I think you’ll look fabulous in either of these.” She smirks and waves the skimpy options at me.

I roll my eyes playfully as I approach her. “Isabella, are you serious? These barely cover anything!”

“Come on, live a little!” she teases, tossing one of the swimsuits my way. “Besides, it’s just us here.”

“Fine,” I sigh, catching the suit midair. “But only because you insist.”

“Yay!” Franny and Gina exclaim in unison, their tiny voices echoing through the backyard. The twins bounce on their tiptoes, hands flying to the array of swimsuits laid out before them. “Mommy, we want this one!” They hold up identical pink swimsuits with ruffled skirts, their eyes wide with excitement.

“Of course, my loves,” I say, unable to resist their contagious joy. I watch as they scurry off to change, giggling all the way. Their delight is infectious, and despite the situation I find myself in, I can’t help but feel grateful for these moments of happiness.

Realization dawns on me. “I don’t have any money. We can’t buy any of these.”

Isabella laughs right in my face. “It’s not the women’s job to make money when you’re a Volkov. It’s just our job to spend it.”

I’ve never been dependent on anyone else, but there’s something nice about it.

My girls can have whatever they want.

As I stand by the pool, clad in a sweatshirt, I feel ridiculous. But, Isabella didn’t exactly let me get anything appropriate. Thankfully, there’s nobody else out here watching me.

“Mommy, we’re ready!” Franny and Gina call out, snapping me back to reality. They race toward the pool, their excitement palpable in the air.

“Alright, darlings,” I say, catching up to them. “Go have some fun.”

Franny and Gina splash around, their laughter like a chorus of songbirds. I recline on a lounge chair, my book resting on my thighs, but I can’t seem to focus on the words in front of me. Instead, my thoughts drift toward the complexities of my new life.

“Marco!” Franny calls out, her arms flailing through the water.

“Polo!” replies Gina, giggling and trying to evade her sister’s touch.

I smile at their innocent joy, the warmth of motherly love swelling within me. It’s moments like these that remind me how fiercely I will fight to protect them, no matter what challenges arise.

“Enjoying your book?” a familiar voice asks, drawing me out of my reverie.

I glance up to see Cassius standing next to me, shirtless and radiating charm. My heart skips a beat at the sight of his toned physique and the playful glint in his striking blue eyes. He moves the book away from my face and takes a seat beside me.

“Truth be told, I’m finding it difficult to concentrate,” I admit, feeling a rush of heat rise to my cheeks.

“Can’t imagine why,” he teases, watching the girls as they continue their game. “They’re quite the handful.”

“Indeed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say, my tone laced with affection. “Their happiness means everything to me.”

“Your love for them is evident, Annalise. It’s beautiful,” he says, turning his gaze toward me. The sincerity in his eyes makes my breath hitch.

“Thank you, Cassius,” I reply, touched by his kind words. “I just want them to be safe and happy.”

“Then we share the same goal,” he says firmly, reaching for my hand. The warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but glance at our entwined fingers.

“Is that so?” I ask, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “And what exactly does that entail?”

“Whatever it takes,” he says, his voice thick with determination. “I’ll do everything in my power to protect you and the girls, Annalise.”

A playful glint enters his striking blue eyes. “Annalise, why aren’t you swimming?” he asks.

“Isabella didn’t exactly leave me with many…appropriate options,” I reply, my cheeks heating at the thought of the daring swimsuits she picked out for me. “She seems to have a penchant for the skimpy and revealing.”

Cassius chuckles, his laughter deep and genuine. “Ah, yes. My sister does have a particular taste when it comes to fashion. She’s always pushing boundaries and trying to make a statement.”

“Sometimes I think she does it just to see how far she can push me,” I admit, shaking my head. “But I suppose there are worse things than having a sister-in-law who wants me to feel confident and sexy.”

“Sister-in-law?” He raises an eyebrow at me, and my cheeks turn red. “I didn’t realize you were married.”

“It’s just the easiest thing to call her.”

“Hm.” He hums. “Annalise,” he says softly, the humor fading from his expression, “there’s something I need to say.”

I turn to him, surprised at the sudden shift in tone. His blue eyes are earnest, and I can see the weight of his words pulling at the corners of his mouth.

“I want to apologize for betraying your trust and kidnapping you,” he begins, his voice heavy with emotion. “I never wanted to put you or the girls in danger, and I never want you to feel like you can’t trust me.”

His sincerity takes me aback, and for a moment, I’m at a loss for words. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I reach out and place my hand over his, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine.

“Thank you, Cassius,” I whisper, offering him a small, tentative smile. “I appreciate your apology, and I know that you’ve been doing everything you can to keep us safe.”

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “You mean so much to me, Annalise. You and the girls—I can’t imagine my life without you now. As much as I like games, I don’t want to play them anymore, not with you. I want there to be something real between us.”

My heart swells with a mixture of fear and hope, and I have to remind myself to breathe. The possibility of a future with Cassius—this dangerous, charming man who has come to mean so much to me—is both thrilling and terrifying.

“Cassius…” It’s the only thing I can think to say.

Cassius’s touch sends shivers down my spine, grounding me in the present moment. He gazes into my eyes, and I see a sincerity there that I can’t deny. “Take your time, Annalise,” he says softly. “You don’t have to decide right now. Just think about it, okay?”

I nod, grateful for his understanding and patience. “I will, Cassius,” I reply, my voice barely more than a whisper. A knot of emotions tangles within me, reflecting the complexity of our situation. Fear and hope intertwine as I consider what a future with him might entail, but I know I owe it to myself—and to my daughters—to give his words careful consideration.

“Thank you,” I breathe out, my heart swelling with gratitude.

He grins at me, the intensity of the moment dissipating as he lets go of my hand. “No pressure, Lily,” he reassures me. I can’t help but smile back at him, appreciating the sense of ease he brings to even the most challenging situations.

“Go on, then,” I encourage him, glancing toward the pool where Franny and Gina continue their game of Marco Polo, giggling and splashing around. “Join them. They’ll love having you play with them.”

Cassius’s eyes twinkle with delight as he stands up, his muscles rippling beneath his sun-kissed skin. The sight is undeniably captivating, but it’s the warmth behind his eyes that truly draws me in.

“Alright, watch this!” he exclaims, backing away from the pool’s edge. In one fluid motion, he sprints forward and leaps into the air, executing an impressive cannonball that sends water spraying everywhere. My daughters shriek with laughter, clearly delighted by his playful antics.

As I watch Cassius swim toward Franny and Gina, my heart can’t help but swell with a newfound affection for him. The man who once terrified me now brings joy and laughter to my family, showing a side of himself that I never could have imagined.

Yet, even as I bask in the sunlight and the happiness of the moment, a nagging thought creeps into my mind. Can I truly trust him? Can I let myself believe in the possibility of a future together, knowing the darkness that lurks beneath the surface?

I shake my head, trying to dispel the doubts and focus on the present. For now, I will enjoy this precious time with my daughters and the enigmatic man who has captured my heart.

“Marco!” Gina calls out, her voice filled with glee as Cassius playfully chases after her.

“Polooooo!” he bellows, laughter bubbling from his lips.

Once Marco Polo ends, they’re eagerly on to the next thing.

“Mommy, watch this!” Franny calls out, her voice filled with excitement.

I glance over just in time to see her perform a perfect handstand in the shallow end of the pool. Gina claps her hands and cheers, while Cassius laughs, clearly impressed by her acrobatic feat.

“Bravo, Franny! You’re quite the talented little mermaid,” he praises, his voice warm and genuine.

“Thanks, Cassius!” She beams, positively glowing from his compliment.

As I watch them interact, I realize how effortlessly Cassius has managed to form a bond with my girls.

“Your turn, Gina!” Cassius exclaims, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Okay, here goes!” she squeals, taking a deep breath before plunging underwater.

My heart swells with love for my daughters and a newfound appreciation for the charming man who seems determined to prove himself to us. Yet, as I take in this heartwarming scene, another face floats into my mind—Nikhil.

His intense blue eyes and dark hair seem to haunt me, the memory of his touch lingering like a phantom caress. As much as I try to push him away, it’s impossible to ignore the pull I feel toward him—an undeniable connection that both excites and terrifies me. And I can’t help but wonder if my feelings for Nikhil will only complicate matters further.

“Mommy, come in the pool!” Franny shouts, breaking through my reverie.

“Maybe later, sweetheart,” I reply, forcing a smile as I try to shove my conflicting emotions aside.

I watch Cassius scoop Gina into his arms after she surfaces, her laughter filling the air as he playfully tosses her into the water. A feeling of warmth spreads through me, and I realize that despite my fears and doubts, I may just have to take a leap of faith and see where this new path leads.

The sun dips low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the pool and long shadows on the water’s surface. My heart races as I watch Cassius teach Franny how to float on her back, his strong hands supporting her as she learns to trust his guidance. Gina swims over to them, eager to show off her newly mastered doggy paddle. Their laughter resonates through the air, filling me with a warmth that has nothing to do with the sunlight.

“Good job, girls!” Cassius calls out, his voice filled with pride. “You’re both excellent swimmers!”

“Thanks, Cassius!” Franny beams, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Mommy, did you see?” Gina exclaims, swimming toward me. “I can doggy-paddle all by myself now!”

“I did, sweetheart,” I say as I smile down at her. “You were amazing.”

As the girls continue to splash around, a sense of contentment washes over me—one that I haven’t felt in years. But it’s also tinged with uncertainty, my mind swirling with thoughts about the choices I’ll soon have to make. Cassius is quickly becoming an important part of our lives, and I can’t deny the connection between us. However, memories of Nikhil stubbornly linger, creating a storm of emotions within me.

Sleeping with both brothers is one thing, but it’s not like I can date both of them…right?