Redemption (The Volkov Mafia Series Book 4) by Samantha Harrington Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Samantha Harrington
scoop her up in her arms, plastering her face with kisses.
The squeal that little Anya releases is infectious, and we all burst into laughter listening to it. Cami pops Anya back on the floor, and Anya makes her way across to Charlie so they can play.
“Thanks for watching them both, Emma. We would be lost without you,” Cami says to me, her tone warm and genuine. She has never shown me anything different. She doesn’t judge me, just like Faith doesn’t. They have accepted me, flaws and all, and have made me feel part of the family. A pang of guilt hits me with that thought — I miss my own family.
“It’s no bother. I love playing games with these two little terrors, they keep my mind off other things.” There must be something in pitch of my voice because they both stop and look at me, their eyes filled with concern.
“Are you ok?” they both ask at the same time.
“Yes, I just miss my family, that’s all.” I tell them the truth; there really is no point trying to lie to these two, they can sniff out a lie a mile away.
“I know you do, sweetie, and there is nothing stopping you from picking up the phone and calling them. Let them know your safe and well. I know you can’t face them yet and you have your reasons for that. Valid as they are, a call won’t hurt you. At least then they don’t have to grieve for a daughter that’s not lost to them. You’re lucky you have a family that care so much about you that they are still trying to find you even after all this time. They haven’t given up hope, it’s you that has done that.” I always get a straight answer from Faith. She makes you feel that what she says is right. Has you questioning everything that you have done, trying to get you to see it from her point of view.
“I just don’t think I can right now, plus that’s not the only problem I’m facing at the moment, and they would definitely not like the second dilemma,” I tell them. Their eyes lock onto mine with questioning gazes searing right through me. “I will tell you both tonight over a couple of drinks. I might scare the little children with what I have to tell you so be warned, but you will be glad you waited, that I can assure you.”
“Tonight then, Emma. You know I won’t let this drop now. You have opened a can of worms and you won’t be able to close it again, do you understand?”
“I do,” is all I say. They get up and make their way to the front door where their driver, Marc, is waiting for them in a beautiful, black Range Rover Sport.
I wave as they leave the drive. I make my way inside the house; this is the best time of the day when I have the kids because they take the memories away. No judgment, just the need to have fun, and with everything that’s going on in my head right now, I need some fun.
“Time for some dinner you two little monkeys,” I say to the children. We have had a morning filled with laughter and games, painting memories on huge rolls of paper. I can still feel the paint drying between my toes.
I take hold of their hands and lead them to the kitchen so that I can prepare their dinner.
After placing them both into their booster seats at the table and making sure they are strapped in, I head over to the cooker and start making them beans on toast. It’s not much, but with some fruit for pudding it’s a little warm filler on a cold day.
They both scoff up the food and I clean up, taking the dishes to the sink and putting them in to soak.
******
I hear the door opening and in come Cami and Faith, giggling. I’m glad that they get some quality time together whilst I look after the children. Their friendship has been tested to the limit and they have come back stronger than ever.
“Hey, Emma, have the kids been good?” Faith asks me.
“When are they ever not good?” I say with a laugh. And it’s true; they are always good for me. We play games and laugh and do silly things.
“How did the interview go?” I whisper, knowing that
The squeal that little Anya releases is infectious, and we all burst into laughter listening to it. Cami pops Anya back on the floor, and Anya makes her way across to Charlie so they can play.
“Thanks for watching them both, Emma. We would be lost without you,” Cami says to me, her tone warm and genuine. She has never shown me anything different. She doesn’t judge me, just like Faith doesn’t. They have accepted me, flaws and all, and have made me feel part of the family. A pang of guilt hits me with that thought — I miss my own family.
“It’s no bother. I love playing games with these two little terrors, they keep my mind off other things.” There must be something in pitch of my voice because they both stop and look at me, their eyes filled with concern.
“Are you ok?” they both ask at the same time.
“Yes, I just miss my family, that’s all.” I tell them the truth; there really is no point trying to lie to these two, they can sniff out a lie a mile away.
“I know you do, sweetie, and there is nothing stopping you from picking up the phone and calling them. Let them know your safe and well. I know you can’t face them yet and you have your reasons for that. Valid as they are, a call won’t hurt you. At least then they don’t have to grieve for a daughter that’s not lost to them. You’re lucky you have a family that care so much about you that they are still trying to find you even after all this time. They haven’t given up hope, it’s you that has done that.” I always get a straight answer from Faith. She makes you feel that what she says is right. Has you questioning everything that you have done, trying to get you to see it from her point of view.
“I just don’t think I can right now, plus that’s not the only problem I’m facing at the moment, and they would definitely not like the second dilemma,” I tell them. Their eyes lock onto mine with questioning gazes searing right through me. “I will tell you both tonight over a couple of drinks. I might scare the little children with what I have to tell you so be warned, but you will be glad you waited, that I can assure you.”
“Tonight then, Emma. You know I won’t let this drop now. You have opened a can of worms and you won’t be able to close it again, do you understand?”
“I do,” is all I say. They get up and make their way to the front door where their driver, Marc, is waiting for them in a beautiful, black Range Rover Sport.
I wave as they leave the drive. I make my way inside the house; this is the best time of the day when I have the kids because they take the memories away. No judgment, just the need to have fun, and with everything that’s going on in my head right now, I need some fun.
“Time for some dinner you two little monkeys,” I say to the children. We have had a morning filled with laughter and games, painting memories on huge rolls of paper. I can still feel the paint drying between my toes.
I take hold of their hands and lead them to the kitchen so that I can prepare their dinner.
After placing them both into their booster seats at the table and making sure they are strapped in, I head over to the cooker and start making them beans on toast. It’s not much, but with some fruit for pudding it’s a little warm filler on a cold day.
They both scoff up the food and I clean up, taking the dishes to the sink and putting them in to soak.
******
I hear the door opening and in come Cami and Faith, giggling. I’m glad that they get some quality time together whilst I look after the children. Their friendship has been tested to the limit and they have come back stronger than ever.
“Hey, Emma, have the kids been good?” Faith asks me.
“When are they ever not good?” I say with a laugh. And it’s true; they are always good for me. We play games and laugh and do silly things.
“How did the interview go?” I whisper, knowing that