“Frieda is a possibility. I can assign men to watch over her if you like. Or you can invite her to join you here. She can have the guest room and use the time to get familiar with the rest of us. The rest of your family is in Houston, yes?”

She padded closer to the bed. “Houston Heights, technically, but yes.”

“Then we will take measures to ensure their safety as well.”

“Without them knowing, right?”

He nodded. “If that is what you want, yes. Though, I suspect the person, or people, we’re looking for don’t have sufficient reach to take action in Houston. If they did, their response would have been much timelier and more direct.” Namely, with a pointed assault at Sergei, Roman, or Kir himself, but he wasn’t going to share such a detail at this juncture. “And what would you like to do about your aunt?”

Her gaze slid sideways and she worried her lower lip. As was her decisive nature, her focus sharpened quickly on Kir. “I’d feel better if she was here.”

“Then we’ll arrange it.”

Downstairs, the front door kachunked opened. Footsteps and Evette’s bright laughter rolled in right behind it. “Kir? Cassie?”

“The men said they are here,” Olga grumbled, every word thick with her unapologetic Russian accent.

The crisp rattle of paper grocery bags being juggled then unloaded onto the kitchen counter sounded, then Emerson added, “Uncle Kir’s probably upstairs bein’ all lovey-dovey like he was last night.”

“Uncle Kir can hear you.” Kir stood and lowered his voice for Cassie alone. “Do you want company? Or would you rather have time alone?”

“We brought some groceries,” Evette said from the kitchen below. “None of us knew what kind of comfort food you’d want, so we got everything from fruit to vodka.”

“The vodka was Olga’s idea,” Emerson added helpfully.

“Who’s Olga?” Cassie nearly whispered.

“Sergei’s cook,” Kir said equally quiet. “Though, she would be an efficient bodyguard as well should anyone threaten one of her chicks. Now—” he moved in close and hugged her to him “—what would you prefer?”

Between the opening and closing of the refrigerator door, Evette chuckled and said, “I’m startin’ to think you’re right on the lovey-dovey, kid. Maybe we should unload and come back in a bit.”

Cassie rested her forehead on Kir’s chest, but her torso shook on silent laughter. “No, no lovey-dovey,” she called out to the trio below. “Just unpacking and mentally readjusting to a bizarre morning.”

“You want some help?” Evette said. “Unpacking’s kind of a no-brainer, and I’ve got ice cream to help with everything else.”

One corner of Cassie’s mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “They sound like my aunt.”

“Well, then she’ll fit in here with you just fine.” He kissed her forehead, stepped away long enough to retrieve her laptop and phone, then urged her toward the hallway. “Come. See what they’ve brought you. Enjoy their company for a little while, and I’ll handle the rest.”