I want to go inside, but I don’t want Dante to see this. I’ve hidden him from this world for five years. I’m not going to throw him into the middle of it now.
“Lower your voice. My kid is in there,” I hiss.
Mikhail dips his head. We’re in the same position we were back in Mr. Fredrickson’s office, but this time, I’m ready to fight. I’ll do anything to shield my son from this.
“Are you trying to protect him from me, Viviana?” His voice is low and even, but there’s a dangerous edge to it. Trofim had to yell and scream to show me how big and scary he was. Mikhail simply needs to exist. He breathes and I quiver, simple as that.
“This has nothing to do with you,” I lie. “I’m protecting him from that entire world—yours and mine.”
“That’s right. You have a foothold here, too. Does your son k
