Chapter 22 - Tasha
I didn’t expect to find my family gathering outside as I opened the door. Nadia was with them. Glancing at her, I knew she had not compromised us. “Oh, hi,” I huffed stepping out and closing the door behind me. “What are you lot doing here?”
“What are we doing here?” Abram replied. I could hear his anger surging through his tone. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hide the Vasilievs forever. But I had hoped to have more time to prepare.
“May we come in and chat, Tasha?” Alexandr asked calmly.
Glancing back at the door, I felt my heart racing in my throat. “I suppose you could,” I replied hesitantly as I opened the door. Walking in before them, I wondered where Vadik and his brothers had gone.
The small lounge was empty, as was what I could see of the kitchen. “Coffee?” I asked as my brothers sat down.
“I’ll help,” Nadia offered nodding at Abram.
Entering the kitchen, I could feel Nadia practically walking on my heels. I was relieved that no one else was with us. Sighing, I turned to her. “Are you also nervous?” I whispered.
Nadia nodded as she filled the kettle and put it on. “Where are my cousins?” she asked sounding a tad worried.
“I don’t know, they were here a minute ago. But what are my brothers doing here? How did they know where I went?” I questioned her.
Nadia let out a deep breath as she spoke. “I’m not sure what happened. Alexandr called and then Abram told me we were coming out here. I wanted to warn you but there was no time.”
I took out the cups and prepared a serving tray. “We have to nip this visit in the butt,” I said pouring the hot water into the pot.
Nadia walked to the door and back. “I suspect Anton or Alexandr figured out you were up to something and now they are here to confirm their suspicions,” Nadia added picking up the tray.
“Yes, that makes sense,” I replied nodding.
“So, what are you planning to do them?” she asked as we headed back to the lounge.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke softly before we entered. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think it’s best to first find out why they came here and then decide.”
Nadia nodded and entered. She placed the tray on the small table. Once everyone had a cup, I sat down looking at them. Clearing my throat, I decided to strip the plaster off and get it over with. “So, to what do I owe this visit?” I asked.
Alexandr placed his cup down. “You were supposed to stay at Abram’s yet, you sneaked out. So, what happened? Where are they?” I could hear the aggression in Alexandr’s tone as he questioned me.
Before I could reply, I heard movement behind me. “Please, let me speak,” Vadik’s deep voice floated over my shoulder. Glancing back, I saw him standing in the doorway.
Looking back at the people in the room, I noticed the anger in the room thickening the air.
“Let’s hear him out,” Nadia said as my brothers sprang up ready for a fight.
My brothers looked at each other and sat back down. I was relieved that she had spoken up. Vadik moved to my side. I felt his strong presence as our arms collided softly.
“I am truly remorseful for kidnapping Tasha and everything you all went through,” Vadik said. I felt his shoulder sagging as he took a deep breath. “I know we have caused a lot of confusion and pain. It wasn’t our intention.”
Looking at my brothers, it appeared that Alexandr was the only one that was calm. Anton looked like he was ready to commit murder. He was clenching his fists as hard as his jaw. Abram had that insane look in his eyes he got when he could barely keep it together.
I knew he was swallowing it only for Nadia’s sake, but I was glad for that. I hoped they would at least take in his words and not shut it out due to anger. And I didn’t just mean hearing his words but also understanding where it came from.
Not wanting to leave anything to chance, I lightly touched Vadik’s back as I stood with him. I had made up my mind. Nadia knew everything. Looking at Vadik, she spoke in a sweet and kind tone. “I forgive you for everything. I know it was done out of love and care for me. Plus, you have protected Tasha and taken good care of her.”
Vadik glanced at me as he nodded. He smiled warmly at Nadia as he replied. “Yes, but the way I did it was wrong. I know that now.”
My brothers looked at Nadia as if she had suddenly grown a second head. If not for the severity of the situation it would have been comical. Anton turned to her as he spoke. His tone didn’t hold the slightest indication of friendliness. “Why the hell would we forgive him?” Turning to Vadik, he continued to spout. “You took our baby sister and now you want forgiveness?”
Feeling an uneasiness creeping in, I took hold of Vadik’s arm. He kept his cool as he replied in a calm tone. “I don’t expect forgiveness, not now anyway. But maybe a little understanding. Haven’t I at least earned that?”
Abram’s voice roared through the room as he stood up. “How dare you!” he spat at Vadik. “How dare you come here and ask for anything after what you have done?”
Nadia took hold of Abram’s arm and pulled him back to the couch.
Not able to take it anymore, I yelled silencing the room. “Stop it, keep quiet!” I stood staring at the floor for a moment trying to pick up the pieces of me that had just shattered.
“Just think about it,” I finally added feeling like I was about to explode from their silence. My palms were sweaty. It felt like a river ran down my back. My face burned from a sudden onslaught of cold, and I was sure I was about to fall over. Nervous wasn’t the word I would use but I couldn’t think of any other word.
Alexandr turned to me, a flicker of worry pacing his face as he spoke. “Tasha, are you okay?”
Suddenly feeling ice cold and sick, I shook my head. My head was dizzy, and it looked like I was swimming underwater as my vision blurred. I felt Vadik’s hand on my back and arm as she spoke to me. “Breathe, Tasha. Common, you need to breathe.”
Turning my focus to him, I tried taking a couple of small breaths. My chest burned, but the air came through. Feeling the dizziness dissipate and my vision returning, I nodded at him taking deeper breaths.
Vadik assisted me back in the chair. Alexandr came closer as he spoke. “I’m sorry, it’s just that the last couple of weeks had been tense. A bit concerning if I could put it that way.”
Feeling Nadia’s hand on mine, I looked to the side. She was kneeling next to the chair softly caressing my arm. “Thank you,” I said squeezing her hand. “But I’m fine.”
Vadik had not left my side as he stood behind me rubbing my back and shoulders. Alexandr looked at him as he spoke. “Thank you, I can see you have true feelings for my little sister. So, for the time being, I will settle with it.”
My head took another spin, and I wondered if I had caught a virus or could it be a cold. Alexandr lifted my face as he spoke softly. We will sort out our differences in time. But know if he hurts you, I will not let it stand.’’
“You know we are on the same side,” Vadik added as Alexandr went to sit down again.
After being calmed by Vadik, Nadia, and Alexandr, everyone sat back down. Anton cleared his throat and then spoke. “So, what about the Chernykhs? Are we simply going to let them go after all the trouble they caused?”
Alexandr looked at Vadik as he responded. “No, we will destroy them. Tasha has delivered enough intel for us to get in and clean up.”
Looking from one to the other, the gears in my mind started turning. “I think I have a solution,” I uttered bringing the room to silence. Looking at them, I swallowed hard before speaking again. “Please just hear me out.”
I gazed at Abram. He had that I am about to argue look on his face. But Alexandr lifted his hand into the air silencing him even before he uttered a word. Inhaling sharply, I went on. “Our true enemy was never the Chernykh family. The enemy was the head of the family, and he is no longer here.”
My brothers appeared surprised, which was to be expected. Taking a deep breath, I continued. “So, why don’t we offer our assistance to them and set a ceasefire in place for now? This way they would owe us in the future. I feel having them on our side could only strengthen our business. Plus, they would no longer be a nuisance”
Silence filled the room as Alexandr sat with his thinking face on. After a while he looked at me and replied in a calm tone. “We will need some time to consider all the implications of what you are asking. We will discuss it and get back to you soon, if that is fine?”
I nodded eagerly glad that he would at least think about it. With everything said and settled for now, they got up and headed out. As the door closed behind them, I let out the deep sigh I was holding back relieved that it was over.
Once they had left, I flopped down on the sofa breathing hard. My lungs were on fire as I tried to fill them with oxygen once more. Vadik sat down beside me placing a comforting hand on my back. He gently rubbed up and down as he spoke. “You did so well, calm down, everything is going to be fine.”
Glancing at him, I flung my arms around his waist and buried my face into his chest. “You think so?” I huffed.
“You were brilliant,” he replied stroking my hair. “I would never have thought of such a good idea and I’m sure none of them would have either. It was a pure stroke of genius.” Pulling back Vadik lifted my face and kissed me tenderly before continuing. “You are a genius my little tigress.”