86. Chapter 86

86

Dimitri

I step out of the mansion, the roar of my motorbike breaking the quiet of the morning. The compound stretches out ahead of me, green and sprawling, but I keep my eyes on the path to the ranch.

The bike growls under me as I twist the throttle, taking off toward the other side of the estate. It's not far, but the kid loves the ride.

I catch sight of them .

Of her.

Chert, what the fuck is wrong with me?

My heart is beating like crazy; feels like it's gonna explode out of my chest.

Wren, leaning against the fence, sunlight catching in her hair. She's in tight jeans that hug her curves, boots laced up to her knees, and a simple white tank that leaves just enough to my imagination.

The bike roars as I come nearer, eyes fixed on her. She looks up, and her lips curl into a smile—the kind that makes me think I'd kill a man just to keep it there, just to have her look at me like that forever.

She shifts her gaze toward Alex, who's already running toward me, his little legs pumping hard.

I pull up, kill the engine, and get off the bike. My heart thumps a little harder—doesn't matter how many times I see her, it's the same every damn time. I drag a deep breath in, tearing my eyes away from her because now I hear him again, louder, excited.

"Papa!"

I squat down just as Alex reaches me, and he all but jumps into my arms. I lift him easily, settling him on my hip. He's so small, yet his smile is the biggest thing in my world.

The warmth of the morning sun hits my back, and for a second, everything's perfect.

He locks eyes with me, his own glittering with excitement. And I wonder—how does he not see me as the monster I am? He doesn't know the things I've done. To him, I'm just… Papa. It messes me up inside in ways I can't explain.

Ruffling Alex's hair, I ask, "Ready, buddy?"

"Papa, where da horsie ?" he asks, eyes darting around the pastures.

I point toward the grand stable in the distance, its arched doors open, sunlight streaming through. "Right over there. You gonna help me pick which one we ride?"

He nods, eyes bright. "Yes! I wan' da big one! Da biiig horsie !"

Wren walks up to us, her hips swaying, and damn it, she's just so fucking beautiful today. She gives me a look that's half amused, half warning.

"Easy, Lexi Bear. Maybe start with the small one first, huh?"

Alex frowns, looking at me like I've got all the answers. "But I wan' da big one, Papa."

I heft him higher, carrying him on my shoulder, and he bursts into giggles. The weight pulls at my side, and I grunt, feeling the ache from that old wound. Wren's eyes narrow, shooting me that " Why do that, you idiot?" glare. Yeah, I know. But it's worth it, hearing him laugh like that.

"How about we start with the pony, and if you like it, we work up to the big guy? Deal?"

He considers it for a moment, then nods enthusiastically. "Deal!"

Wren shakes her head, a laugh escaping her lips.

"You two are something else." She cocks an eyebrow and tilts her head like she's sizing us up and finding us both hilariously pigheaded. "Stubborn as hell, both of you." And then, like she's just realized something crazy, her lips press together, and she says, "Just like you, D."

I can't help the smile that tugs at my mouth. She's not wrong. I hear Alex start humming some tune, all off-key, while I shift him on my shoulder.

"Look, Papa! Brown horsie! An' ‘nother brown one!"

"Yeah, kid, a lotta brown ones," I smirk, catching Wren's eye. She's watching us with that soft look she gets sometimes, and I feel it right there in my chest. It's like I'm whole when I'm with them.

The trainer, a middle-aged guy with a calm face, gives us a nod. "Morning, Mr. Orlov. Got a gentle one here for the young rider."

Alex's eyes go wide as the pony is led out. The little guy's got a shiny coat and a braided mane, and he's calm as anything, barely flinching as Alex reaches out.

"Papa, what's his name?"

I glance at the trainer. He shrugs. "Her name's Bella."

" Be-wwa ?" Alex repeats, trying it out, his little tongue tripping over the "Ls."

"Yeah, Bella," I say, lifting him up to get a better look. He pats the pony's neck, all careful, his face lighting up. "See? She's gentle."

Alex giggles. "She soft, Papa!"

"Yeah, she is," I say, feeling that warmth in my chest again. This… this right here is worth everything. I set Alex down, letting the trainer help him onto the pony. He's tiny up there, his helmet almost slipping, but he's grinning from ear to ear.

Wren steps closer, wrapping her arm around my waist—just a small touch, but it's enough. I take the hint, pulling her against me as we watch Alex, her warmth pressing into my side. She glances up at me, a teasing glint in her eye.

"You sure you don't wanna ride, too?"

I shoot her a look. "You know damn well I'd break the pony, Wren."

She laughs, and it's contagious, like someone's tickling my insides.

I start laughing, too.

"Papa! Momma!" Alex calls out, twisting to look at me, his eyes shining. "Look! I do it!"

The trainer starts leading Bella around the paddock, Alex's laughter ringing out as they go. He's holding on tight, but he's not scared. Not even a little. Kid's braver than me sometimes.

"You're doing great, buddy!" I shout back, and he beams, turning his attention back to the pony.

Wren leans into me, her voice soft. "He loves this, you know. Loves being with you."

"Yeah," I murmur, watching Alex, the way his small hands grip the saddle. "I love it too."

Wren knows. She fucking knows. She can see it in my eyes, the raw fucking hunger to keep this life, this happiness. She knows how hard I've fought to get here, how I'd rip the fucking world apart to protect it.

The trainer brings Bella back around, stopping in front of us. Alex's face is flushed, his eyes bright as he looks at me. "Papa, can we go fast now?"

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Not today, kid. Maybe when you're bigger."

"Like you?" he asks, tilting his head.

"Yeah, like me." I reach up, taking him off the pony and setting him on the ground. He stumbles a little, but I catch him, ruffling his hair. "You did good today."

He grins up at me, and for a moment, everything else fades away—every fight, every enemy, every goddamn thing that ever mattered before this.

"Alright, let's get you some lunch," I say, taking his hand. He holds on tight, and I look over at Wren. She smiles, and I know—this is it. This is what I fight for.

We start walking back toward the house, the ranch stretching out around us, the sun warm on my back.

"Papa?" Alex's voice is small, curious.

"Yeah, buddy?"

"Can I ride da big horsie tomorrow?"

I glance at Wren, and she's already smirking, shaking her head.

"We'll see," I say, and Alex cheers like he's already won.