Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Six

Dimitri

The days after Mikhail's arrest were strange. The safehouse felt different without him. Quieter somehow. Emptier. But also wrong. Like something was missing.

I stood in the nursery watching Alexei change Nikolai's diaper. My brother moved with gentle hands. Careful not to hurt the baby.

"There we go," Alexei said softly. "All clean."

Nikolai gurgled happily. Reaching for his father's face. Alexei smiled. A real smile. Full of warmth and love.

"You are good at this," I said from the doorway.

Alexei looked up. "I have been practicing," he replied. "Irina has been teaching me."

"She trusts you with him now," I observed.

"I...