Chapter 13 - Pippa
I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles. I’d barely slept the last few days—too much uncertainty hanging over me like a fog I couldn’t shake. My phone sat on the nightstand, taunting me. I half-expected a message from work, but I knew better. Abe had told Vlad Vadim what happened, and Vlad insisted I don’t be bothered.
“Ugh,” I groaned and shoved my face in the pillow. I’d been indoors for almost a week now and frankly? I was starting to feel batshit crazy.
"This is temporary," I muttered, and forced myself to lift my head off the pillow. "Just until things blow over."
But even as I said it, something in the pit of my stomach told me that accepting this current situation wasn’t going to be that easy. The Vadims—my so-called family—were in danger, and here I was, tucked away in a mansion living with a man I barely knew. A man who made me alternately want to strangle him and kiss him. Great.
I let out a breath, pushing the gloom away. Time to make the best of this forced vacation. Might as well get to know the estate and find something to do to fill my days since I’d be stuck here for the foreseeable future.
I rummaged through my suitcase, avoiding my usual office attire—those pencil skirts and blouses that screamed: "I'm in charge." Today, I went for leggings and an oversized sweater. Comfort over style. Though I did feel kind of naked without any makeup and my signature red lipstick.
“You’re not at the office, Pippa,” I told myself, grabbing a brush and working through the knots in my hair. “No need for war paint today.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Then, with a soft sigh, I stepped into the hallway. My mind was already buzzing with curiosity. Down the corridor or down the stairs—which way should I go?
“Left it is,” I muttered, playing a quick game of eeny meeny miny moe and setting off toward the stairs.
The house felt strange—grand, but strange. Like I didn’t belong here. The walls were lined with photos of people I recognized and many I didn’t, and every corner had some kind of ornate vase, each piece whispering to me, you’re not supposed to be here . Yet, somehow, there was a warmth to the place too.
I trailed my fingers along the banister and reached the floor below. As I passed a cozy reading nook by the window, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself, “Well, if only I could find some books.”
A strange impulse came over me to find Abe. He could have told me if they had a library around here somewhere. But the thought of Abe… The one guy in this house I barely knew but somehow felt like I do know, took over my mind again. Where was he right now? Doing God knows what for the Bratva, probably. He left for work every morning and the hypocrisy of it didn’t escape me.
Sure, Tony had come after me. But Abe was the one who killed Tony, wasn’t he? He had way more enemies at his heels than I did, and yet he got to go out and work while I was stuck in his home, left to my own devices. Talk about double standards.
I sighed and made my way to the drawing room, sinking into a plush armchair and letting my head fall back. "You’re bored out of your mind, Pippa," I said, trying to shake off the restless feeling gnawing at me. Did I really have to be stuck watching TV all day again?
I missed work. I missed the rhythm of my days, the constant ticking off of tasks. Hell, I even missed dealing with difficult patrons. At least it was something real to focus on.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" a cheerful voice broke through my brooding.
I looked up to see Adley and Emory saunter into the room.
“Oh dear,” I said, straightening in my seat. “I hope I’m not intruding.”
Emory waved her hand dismissively. "Nonsense! This house could use some fresh blood. It's been ages since we've had a new face around here."
“Seriously,” Adley added, plonking down on the couch. “The house feels so quiet with the men gone and the kids down for a nap.”
My heart leaped at the prospect of having company.
“I know,” Emory said. “They’ve been gone for what, three days now?”
“The first day always feels like we finally have some peace and quiet around here,” Adley laughed. “But then it gets harder not having them around.”
I nodded, knowing exactly what they meant. During the first two nights here, we had all shared dinner together. Now, things were quieter, and the two women sitting in front of me had busy lives of their own.
I had come to understand that Adley helped with her family’s business and managed her husband’s finances, while Emory, a psychotherapist, still saw a handful of clients each week. When they weren’t immersed in their work, their children took up much of their time.
“How long do you think they’ll be gone?” I asked, carefully.
The women exchanged loaded glances before Adley spoke up, “It’s hard to say.”
I saw a flicker of worry cross over Emory’s face. I could only imagine how difficult this must be for them, to know what their husbands do on a daily basis, being aware of how unsafe their line of work could be.
I nodded and fidgeted with the hem of my sweater, unsure of what to do next. The silence in the room was a bit awkward until Emory's eyes lit up.
"Hey, why don't we show you around the estate?" she suggested with a warm smile. "It's quite big, and you've been cooped up here for days. It might be nice to stretch your legs and see more of the place."
Adley's face mirrored her enthusiasm, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for their company. "That sounds wonderful," I replied with a smile, feeling a flicker of excitement at the prospect of exploring beyond the confines of the mansion.
As we embarked on our impromptu tour, Emory and Adley shared stories about the history of the estate, pointing out hidden nooks and crannies that held special significance.
“You see that Gazebo there?” Emory pointed at a beautiful spot in the garden, surrounded by blooming roses and a bubbling fountain. "That's where Vlad gave a speech to a crowd of a hundred on our first wedding anniversary," she reminisced, a soft smile gracing her lips.
Adley chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And I tripped over my own feet the first time Ivan brought me here. Graceful as ever."
I couldn't help but laugh along with them, feeling a sense of camaraderie growing between us as they continued to share snippets of their lives with me. It was refreshing to see this side of them, away from the shadows of their husbands' dangerous world.
Eventually, we sat down for a cup of tea in the garden, which the staff brought out.
“You know,” Emory said. “You should have your friends over sometimes. Make the best of being stuck on these grounds.”
A sense of wistfulness overcame me, and I felt a tight knot in my throat. Emory and Adley exchanged quick glances before Emory added. “Of course, it might be a little too soon right now. Whenever you’re ready.” She reached over and squeezed my hand.
Without even having had to say, Emory understood that this was all too much to explain. Her intelligence went deeper than I thought.
Just then, with her sweet way of helping me change my train of thought, Adley leaned in conspiratorially. "So, Pippa, ready for some Ustinov brothers gossip?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm all ears."
"Well," Adley said, setting down a tray of steaming cups, "let me tell you about the time Ivan tried to surprise me with a romantic dinner."
I sipped my tea, relishing the warmth and company. Adley's eyes danced with mirth as she recounted, "He spent hours in the kitchen, determined to cook everything himself. When I came home, the entire house was filled with smoke, and Ivan was standing there, covered in flour, holding a fire extinguisher."
We all burst into laughter, and I found myself relaxing for the first time in days.
Emory shook her head, grinning. "At least Ivan tries. Vlad's idea of romance is upgrading our home security system."
"Really?" I asked, intrigued by this glimpse into their lives.
"Oh yes," Emory nodded. "He's always been the serious one. But…" Her voice softened. "…He shows he cares in his own way."
The mood shifted slightly, and I noticed yet another flicker of concern in both women's eyes.
"It's not always easy," Adley admitted, her smile fading. "Knowing what they do, the dangers they face…"
Emory reached out, squeezing Adley's hand. "But we knew what we were getting into, right?"
I felt a knot form in my stomach, thinking of them out there, doing God knows what. "How do you cope with the worry?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
They exchanged a knowing look before Adley replied, "We trust in their abilities, and in each other. It's all we can do."
There was a moment of somber silence before Emory perked up. "Speaking of the brothers," she said, a mischievous glint returning to her eye, "what's the deal with you and Abe?"
I nearly choked on my tea. "What? There's no… deal. He's just keeping me safe."
But even as the words left my mouth, I felt a twinge of doubt. Was it really just professional? The way my heart raced when he entered a room, how safe I felt in his presence… No, I couldn't go there. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
"Uh-huh," Adley smirked. "You know, in all the years we've known Abe, he's never brought a woman home before."
"Never?" I couldn't hide my surprise.
"Nope," Emory confirmed. "You must be pretty special, Pippa."
I felt my cheeks burning. "I'm sure it's not like that. He probably just feels responsible for me."
"If you say so, Honey." Adley winked, clearly unconvinced.
I changed the subject, desperate to steer the conversation away from Abe and the confusing emotions he stirred in me. We chatted for a while longer, until eventually, the women left to check in on the kids.
I decided to stay back and wander the garden. The fresh air was a welcome respite after being cooped up inside. I breathed deeply, savoring the scent of blooming roses and freshly cut grass.
I settled onto a wrought-iron bench, running my fingers along its intricate scrollwork. The sun warmed my face, and for the first time since arriving at the estate, I felt my shoulders relax. My conversation with Adley and Emory had left me feeling more at ease and less like an outsider.
The sudden crunch of gravel snapped me out of my quiet moment. My heart leaped into my throat as I heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up to the estate. I stood up, smoothing down my blouse with trembling hands. Were they back?
I moved toward the driveway, my legs moving fast. The sleek black SUV came to a stop, and I held my breath, waiting.
The driver's door swung open, and there he was. Abe stepped out all alone, his brothers nowhere in sight. My eyes widened as I took in the disheveled sight of him—his usually immaculate suit was rumpled, and there were dark stains of blood splattered across his white shirt.
"Oh my God, Abe!" I cried out, my feet carrying me toward him before I could even think. "Are you okay?"
His blue-gray eyes locked onto mine, and I saw him hesitate. "Pippa," he said, his voice gruff. "What are you doing out here?"
I reached him, my hands hovering uncertainly over his chest, afraid to touch him. "Never mind that. You're hurt! What happened? Who did this to you?”
He tried to step forward and stumbled, clutching his abdomen. Shit, he was putting on a show and injured worse than he’s letting on.
"Pippa, I’ll manage,” Abram growled in frustration. “Go inside.”
"I couldn't just sit around after seeing you like this," I retorted, my worry for him overriding any fear. "Come,” I insisted, putting his hand over my shoulder. “We’re going to head inside and take care of this.”
He nodded, the pain evident in the grimace around his lips as I helped him inside. I had so many questions that needed answers, but for now, all I could focus on was getting Abe patched up.
Adley and Emory appeared in the hallway, their expressions shifting from surprise to concern as they took in Abe's state. Without a word, Adley hurried ahead, ushering us into a well-lit room that seemed to double as a makeshift medical bay. I felt a strange sadness watching them because they understood Abe returned without his brothers. Right now, they must be shitting bricks wondering what happened and whether Ivan and Vlad were safe.
“I’ve got this, go,” I told them gently, knowing they needed to make calls, and even if they wished to stay, something in my expression must have told them to trust me. Without a word, they left the room. I sighed with relief that at least Abe was back home.
I turned back to him, my heart crushing beneath all the emotions running through me: Rage at whoever did to him, anger that he didn’t watch out for himself, and guilt for being so damn grateful he’s back safe when his brothers are still out doing god knows what.