Page 25 of Secret Heir

Daniel eyes me, as if not sure he can believe me. “Then why is she scared of you?”

Jesus, how do I explain this?

How do I tell a child that I have no idea?

That everything that’s happened is because she saw something that scared her so badly that she didn’t trust me with the truth?

I can’t. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“That’s between your mother and me,” I say instead. “But I promise you, Daniel—you’re safe here. Both of you are.”

He nods slowly then shivers again. “Can we go back now? I want to see Mama.”

I incline my head. “Of course.”

When we return to the suite, Aria is pacing by the window. She whirls when the door opens, and relief floods her face when she sees Daniel.

“Baby!” She drops to her knees and pulls him into her arms. Strands of her dark hair escape her loose braid and my fingers itch to tuck it back. I clench my fists instead. “How was it? Did you have fun?”

“I learned to float,” Daniel says, his voice muffled against her shoulder. “And kick. Maksim says I’m a natural.”

Her eyes flick to mine over his head. There’s a mixture of emotions in them—gratitude, maybe, mixed with resentment.

“That’s wonderful, Danny boy.” She kisses the top of his head. “Why don’t you go get changed into dry clothes?”

When Daniel disappears into his bedroom, Aria stands and clasps her hands in front of her. She eyes me warily as she pushes her hair back. “Thank you for…not pushing him.”

“He’s my son.” I keep my voice neutral, trying to not let the resentment bleed through. “I’m not going to traumatize him.”

“No, you’ll just keep us locked up like prisoners,” she says sarcastically.

“You’re not prisoners. The door is unlocked during the day. You have access to the entire house and grounds.”

“But not off the property.”

I shake my head. “No. Not yet.”

Aria scowls and crosses her arms across her chest, her wariness bleeding into bitterness. “Not ever, you mean.”

I don’t answer because she’s right. I’m never letting them leave, and I won’t give her the chance to run again.

“I need to go into the city tomorrow,” I say instead. “Business with Nikolai. I’ll be gone most of the day.”

Her face pales with fear. “And Daniel?” she whispers.

“Will stay here. With you.” I pause, unsure why she looks so scared. “Unless you’d like him to come with me? He could meet his uncle.”

“No,” she says immediately, her voice sharp. “Absolutely not.”

I scowl. “He’s family, Aria. Daniel should know his family.”

“He knows his mother,” she retorts. “That’s enough family for now.”

We stare at each other, the old anger simmering between us. Then I turn and leave before I say something I’ll regret.

The next day, I take Daniel to see the stables.

There are four horses on the property.