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“Of course you can.” I nodded to the nurse as I stood. “I assume she doesn’t need to be alone.”
The nurse smiled. “No, family is allowed.”
I could sense Isabel was uncomfortable, even taking a step backward. When I looked at her, the way our eyes locked provided a deeper connection than before.
“I’m his fiancée. Does that count as family?”
Nodding, the nurse opened the door. “Of course it does. This won’t take very long, Mina. You’ll be in good hands.”
As they prepared Mina, I was so proud of her for being brave. Yet seeing her lip quivering, her eyes darting constantly toward us to ensure we hadn’t gone anywhere left me with the same emptiness inside.
When we pushed to the side while remaining in the room, Isabel’s smile finally faded and she allowed a single tear to fall. Which she didn’t want me to see. There were no words of comfort in my vocabulary that would help in the way either one of them needed.
I had to finally admit to myself that I was failing my daughter.
As I leaned my head against the wall, swimming in self-pity and doubt, Isabel reached for my hand, clasping our fingers together. If she only knew how heavy the burden was of wanting her to be in my life while knowing that there was a damn good chance my actions would make her hate me.
CHAPTER 16
Maxsim
“Yes, I can see you have a lollypop. A huge one,” I told Mina as we were walking toward the SUV.
Just as my phone rang.
Isabel bristled even before I did, but continued to walk directly toward the vehicle, chatting with Mina as if everything was very normal when I knew it wasn’t. I’d had Mario drive us, Calen and Damen following in a separate vehicle.
Was that because I suddenly distrusted Sergei? Not necessarily; what had to be done this morning was private, something I wasn’t ready to discuss with anyone.
Including my brother.
If the test results came back saying Mina’s cancer had recurred, then I’d need to determine how to handle the situation with more than just a handful of people.
Yet it was Sergei making the call as he’d been placed in charge of finding the warehouse at all costs. What better way to test his loyalty than to see how quickly or if he found results?
“What have you found?”
“We located the warehouse, Pakhan.” Sergei’s voice held no inflection, but I’d seen his expression when I’d mentioned the discrepancy with the fire inspector. He knew I had concerns and had yet to formally address them. Perhaps he was waiting for an official accusation, which I didn’t want to do.
“You’re certain?”
“The only one possible in the area. We haven’t gone in, but reconnaissance suggests there are people inside.”
“And who is it registered to?”
“A shell company. That’s as far as Diana has managed to find.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“No,” he admitted. “But it’s a start. What do you want to do?”
“Secure the premises. Begin the interrogation. I’ll be there in a couple hours.”
“Will do.” I heard the hesitation in his voice. It was apparent he and I needed to have a conversation and we would.
For now, I needed to find a way of explaining to Isabel why I had work to do. I shoved my phone into my jacket and when I turned, I noticed she was waiting outside the vehicle with her arms folded.
Even with the sunglasses covering her eyes, it was apparent she was already furious with me. As I approached, she purposely turned her head away.
