Chapter 32
32
Kirill
A Week Later
M y driver pulls up to the gate outside the Marino estate. The same security guard who gave me issues before narrows his eyes at me. With disgust, he sneers, "Mr. Petrov."
Fiona leans over me. She snaps, "Have some respect, Antonio, or you'll have to find another job. Understand me?"
His eyes widen. "I'm sorry, Ms. O'Malley."
She smiles while delivering a warning tone. "It's not Ms. O'Malley anymore. I'm Mrs. Petrov. And don't you forget it."
I hold in my chuckle.
Antonio glances at me briefly and then pushes the button. The gate opens, and the driver veers around the curve and parks next to the front steps.
I tease, "Maybe you should go a bit easier on the guy."
"He's not going to treat you like that," she insists.
"It's okay," I state, my nerves spiking. The last time I was here, Fiona wouldn't come out. Dante got pissed because I kept showing him holes in his security, and I was angry it would put Fiona at risk. I wasn't as levelheaded as I should have been, and we didn't end things very well.
"Ready?" Fiona asks with excitement.
Don't be a pussy.
"Yes," I affirm and get out. I reach in for her, and my stomach flips.
Fiona wanted to announce her pregnancy to her mom and Dante in person. I wasn't going to deny her that request just to avoid discomfort.
She hops out of the car, and I guide her up the steps. Before she can grab the doorknob, the door flies open.
"There you are," Bridget chirps, hugging Fiona hard.
Fiona hugs her back. "Hey, Mom."
Bridget retreats, reprimanding, "Don't ever run out of here like that again without saying goodbye."
Fiona winces. "I'm sorry."
Bridget shakes her head but is smiling. She turns to me and embraces me in a hug.
Surprised, I tense for a moment, then hug her back.
"Kirill, how are you doing?" she asks, pulling out of the hug.
I nod. "I'm good, Bridget. It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too. Well, come on in. Don't stand out here all day," she asserts, smiling and stepping back. She opens the door wider.
My stomach flips with nerves again. We enter the mansion, and I glance around at the ornate staircase and foyer, noting, "This is a beautiful house."
"Thank you. Dante's father, Angelo, built it. You'll get to meet him later," she adds .
My anxiety heightens. I'm sure he won't be happy I'm in his house.
Bridget suggests, "Let's go into the sitting room. Dante's there."
"Okay," Fiona chirps, grabbing my hand and beaming at me.
My heart soars. Even in uncertainty, she has an effect on me.
She squeezes my hand. She's glowing, and I've never seen her so happy. It's been an awesome week. The doctor confirmed she's pregnant, and it's been a joyful time.
We step into the sitting room, and Dante rises.
My stomach flips again.
He narrows his dark gaze on me. "Kirill. Fiona."
I don't move. "Dante."
Fiona lets go of my hand and steps forward, meeting him halfway. They embrace.
He retreats and glances at me.
Unsure how to react, and not wanting to disrespect him in his house, I remain where I am.
He steps beside Fiona and holds out his hand, greeting, "Welcome. Good to see you again."
Surprised and relieved, I shake his hand, replying, "It's good to see you too."
He declares, "I filled those holes in the security."
"That's good."
He nods. "I appreciate you pointing them out."
"Anytime," I respond, shocked over his genuine gratitude.
Bridget steps in front of the bar and pours a glass of red wine. She asks, "Kirill, what can I get you to drink? "
"Vodka, please," I state.
"Should have guessed," she teases, then asks, "Fiona?"
"I'll have a cranberry juice," she replies.
Bridget's lips twitch, and she arches her eyebrows.
Fiona practically bounces up and down. "Okay, fine! You caught me! We're having a baby! You're going to be a grandma again!"
Bridget sets down the wine, claps her hands, then rushes over to Fiona. They hug again.
"Congratulations," Dante offers, his face lighting up.
"Thank you. It's a bit scary, though," I admit.
He chuckles. "I can only imagine." He hugs Fiona and kisses her on the cheek. "Congratulations, sweetheart."
"Thanks, Grandpa," she teases with a wink.
He chuckles. "I've got enough gray hairs these days, huh?"
I glance at the silver weaving through his black locks, taunting, "You do have a few."
"Yeah, I know," he replies gruffly. Then he adds, "It's not fun getting older."
"I hear you on that," I agree.
Bridget returns to the bar and pours a tumbler of vodka. She hands it to me and then gives Fiona a glass of juice. She picks up her glass of wine and holds it out.
"To the baby."
"To the baby," we all echo.
"Salute!" Dante exclaims.
Bridget and Fiona say in unison, " Sláinte ! "
" Za zdorovye ," I add.
We clink glasses.
"How far along are you?" Bridget inquires.
"I'm six weeks. I was surprised, though, because I had barely been off my birth control. I thought it would take some time, but Kirill has super-strong sperm, huh, babe?"
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I gape at her.
"Jesus, Fiona," Dante mutters.
Bridget puts a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Fiona giggles, glowing, and beaming her smile at me.
So this is happiness.
We spend a long weekend at the Marino estate, and a day longer than we originally planned. Not once does anyone make me feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. Even Dante's father and brothers engage with me in conversation, as if there's never been any reason for us to be enemies.
Every morning, Fiona and her mom go for a walk on the estate. The Marino men, including Angelo, go to their home gym and invite me to work out with them. By the time the weekend ends, I can't deny I've had a great time and like everyone.
Fiona smirks at me when we get on the plane to return to Chicago.
"What's the look for?" I ask.
She leans closer, gloating. "I think you were a huge hit."
"Me?"
She nudges me with her elbow. "Duh." She smiles and curls into my chest, quickly falling asleep .
I spend the flight asking myself how I can go from having money and power but nothing of substance, to now having an incredible wife who loves me, a baby on the way, and in-laws who don't seem to hate me anymore.
It's a gift. Don't blow it, I tell myself.
I sit back in my seat, embracing my new life.
I might not understand how I got this lucky, but I know one thing.
There's one person on Earth I'd die for with no hesitation. And the best thing is, soon there will be one more.