PIPER
I blow out a breath that feels like it might be my last and nod. "Okay."
Quick as a hummingbird, Timofey presses his lips to mine. It's so fast that I almost don't believe it happened. Then I'm stepping into the dark, narrow closet while Timofey pushes the door closed.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," he says through the crack. "I'll always come back for you, Piper. I'll never leave you."
When the door closes, I think I might have imagined his words of comfort. Still, I cling to them as I slide down the back wall with Benjamin in my arms.
"We'll be okay," I whisper to the still sleeping baby. "Timofey will come back for us. He'll take care of us."
I hope to God I'm telling him the truth.
I hear Timofey's voice in my head.
Breathe, Piper.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Over and over again, I fill my lungs and release, hoping some of the tightness in my chest will ease. But it gets worse.
