Ruthless Daddies (Reverse Harem Daddies)

17. Alice

17

ALICE

I hum a little tune under my breath as I walk down the hallway, my feet light and my mood unshakably good. It feels like the house is brighter today, the shadows less oppressive, the air filled with something…hopeful.

Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips.

As I turn the corner, I nearly collide with Alexei, who’s carrying a stack of notebooks and a coffee mug. “Whoa, sorry!” I exclaim, steadying myself before he spills the mug’s contents.

“No harm done,” Alexei says with a warm chuckle, shifting the notebooks to his other arm. His sharp blue eyes study me for a moment, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. “You seem…cheerful this morning.”

“Do I?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant as I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t notice.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying my feigned innocence. “Well, it’s good to see. We could use more of that around here.”

Before I can respond, he adds, “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but I overheard part of your conversation with Nikolai the other day.”

My heart skips a beat. How much did he overhear? I wonder, heat rising to my cheeks. Did he see me taking both Nikolai and Dmitri to my room? But Alexei’s expression is calm, kind, with no trace of judgment.

“I didn’t mean to intrude,” he continues, “but I agree with you. The kids…they need something more than this house, this schedule. They need normalcy.”

Relief washes over me, and I let out a small breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Thank you,” I say softly. “I was starting to think I was the only one who noticed.”

“You’re not,” Alexei says firmly. “And actually, I had something in mind that might help. I was planning to spend some time in the garden later today. You should bring them.”

I blink at him, surprised but intrigued. “The garden?”

I’ve set up a little activity in the garden for them. Nothing too fancy, just something to get them out in the sun. If you’re up for it.”

I blink, surprised by the suggestion. “That sounds…perfect, actually. Thank you, Alexei.”

He inclines his head, his gaze lingering for a moment before he straightens. “It’s nothing. I’m their granduncle after all.” He winces. “I really hate that word.”

I chuckle. “Don’t worry, you don’t look the part at all.”

That seems to brighten him. “Ah, and you’re a charmer. I can see why the boys like you.”

My smile stays frozen on my lips. I really hope he has no idea what’s going on in the house. I’m playing a dangerous game here, getting involved with both Nikolai and Dmitri. If Ivan found out, he would not only kick me out but do something extreme.

My throat goes dry as my mind flashes back to last night. I came five times in a row, an unbelievable feat for a woman who had zero orgasms up until the start of this year. God.

“I’ll be outside, take your time.” Alexei pats my arm before walking away.

I find Luka and Mila in the playroom, seated at the piano, their tiny fingers hovering over the keys as they wait. Their eyes light up when they see me, but the tension in the room is undeniable. Marta stands nearby, her arms crossed, her disapproving gaze fixed on me.

“Good morning, Marta,” I say, keeping my tone polite despite the chilly reception.

“Miss Parker,” she replies curtly, her expression as frosty as ever. “The children are waiting for their lesson.”

“I know,” I say, stepping further into the room. “But I was thinking we could do something different today.”

Her eyes narrow slightly. “Different?”

“Yes,” I say, walking over to Luka and Mila. “I thought we could spend some time outside. Alexei set up an activity in the garden for them.”

Marta’s lips press into a thin line. “The children have a schedule for a reason, Miss Parker. And it’s not my place to remind you, but their piano lessons are a priority.”

I bite back a sigh.

“I understand the importance of their lessons, Marta, but they’ve been through a lot recently. A little time outside won’t hurt.”

Marta’s eyes flash, and for a moment, I wonder if she’s going to push back further. But instead, she steps closer, lowering her voice. “You’ve been here for a short time, Miss Parker. Let me remind you that these children need structure, not whims.”

Her words sting, but I don’t let it show. Instead, I smile, keeping my tone even. “What they need is a chance to be kids, Marta. Just for a little while.”

Marta huffs softly, clearly unimpressed. “As you wish,” she says finally, stepping back.

The garden is alive with the hum of bees and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. The sun is warm, filtering through the trees and casting golden patches of light over the neatly kept flower beds. Alexei is crouched near the vegetable patch, a spade in one hand and a small sapling in the other. He looks up as we approach.

“Perfect timing,” he says, rising to his full height and dusting off his gloves. “I could use some extra hands.”

Luka and Mila glance at each other, their little faces skeptical. “You want us to help…plant?” Luka asks hesitantly, his small hand tightening around mine.

Alexei grins, holding up a pair of tiny gum boots and gloves. “Exactly. It’s messy work, but that’s half the fun.”

Mila wrinkles her nose, looking down at her clean little sneakers. “But…won’t you be mad if we get dirty?”

“Not at all,” Alexei replies, his tone warm and encouraging. “The dirtier you get, the better. That’s how you know you’re doing it right.”

I crouch down to their level, smiling. “If we all get dirty together, no one can be mad. Right?”

Mila’s lips curl into a tentative smile, and Luka’s hesitation melts away as he reaches for the gloves.

Within minutes, the kids are in their gum boots, gloves pulled snugly over their small hands, and Alexei is showing them how to dig small holes for the saplings. The first few tries are clumsy, their tiny shovels barely scraping the surface, but soon they’re giggling as they work, the garden filling with their laughter.

“You’re natural gardeners,” Alexei says, his voice filled with pride. “I might have to hire you permanently.”

Mila beams, dirt smudged across her cheek. “I’m good at this!”

“You’re better than good,” I add, brushing a strand of hair from her face and leaving a streak of dirt in its place. She giggles, swiping at her nose and only managing to spread the mess.

Alexei turns to me, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. “You’re not off the hook, you know. Grab a spade.”

I laugh, slipping on a pair of gloves and grabbing a spade from the ground. “All right, but don’t blame me if I accidentally plant something upside down.”

“You’d be surprised how forgiving plants are,” Alexei replies.

“You’re good with them,” I say, glancing at him as I pat soil around a sapling. “Have you always been this patient?”

Alexei chuckles, shaking his head. “Not always. But life has a way of teaching you patience, especially when you grow up in a family like mine.”

I pause, curious. “You mean Ivan, Dmitri, and Nikolai?”

“And their father,” he says, his tone softening. “He was my older brother. A difficult man, but fair. He raised me more than anyone else did.”

I glance over at Luka and Mila as they laugh together, their hands coated in dirt. “Did you help raise Ivan and the others too?” I ask.

Alexei nods, his expression softening. “To an extent. Their father, my brother, was a…complicated man. He had high expectations, and they had to grow up fast. But when I was around, I tried to balance things out. Give them a little bit of normal.”

“It sounds like he was a big influence on all of you—Ivan, Nikolai, Dmitri.”

“He was,” Alexei agrees, his tone measured. “He taught us what it means to protect what’s ours.”

I glance at him, trying to gauge how far I can go. “And your family—where did you come from originally? Did you all grow up here in New York?”

Alexei chuckles softly, brushing dirt from his pants as he stands. “You’re very curious, Alice,” he says.

I smile, shrugging as I stand with him. “I can’t help it. You’re all so…fascinating. Mysterious, even.”

“Mystery has its uses,” he replies, his tone teasing but evasive.

I tilt my head, studying him. “So, no hints? No stories about the great Morozov legacy?”

Alexei’s smile widens slightly, though it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Our history isn’t as interesting as you might think,” he says, turning to check on the kids. “We came here like so many others, looking for a better life. And we made one.”

The simplicity of his answer feels deliberate, like a door being closed just as I’m about to peer inside.

“You’re very good at dodging questions, you know that?”

Alexei laughs, the sound warm and genuine. “And you’re very good at asking them. But some things are better left where they are.”

“Why?” I ask, unable to stop myself.

He turns to look at me. “Because knowing too much can change the way you see things. And sometimes, it’s better not to see everything.”