Chapter 29
SLADE
She’s still fighting me.
She was fine during the plane ride, probably because she knew she wouldn’t be able to do anything and it was pointless to fight. But right when we got off the plane, she tried running until I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder.
I took her to the car that was waiting for us and locked the doors as soon as we got in.
Niko has my gun so that Isabella won’t try anything stupid like aiming a gun at me again.
Currently we are still in the car, almost to my family home where I grew up.
I haven’t been home in years.
Last time I was here was when my dad died which was when I was a little over eighteen.
Last time I saw my mom and Angel was when I left and I haven’t been back here and they haven’t gone to the U.S.
My brothers, I’ve seen in New York a couple of times.
Ryker usually stays in Russia, conducting business, but from time to time he’ll come and check on me while claiming he is in the U.S. working.
Landon moved out right when his long lost love broke his heart. He ran after her to New York, stalking her but not doing anything. He conducts business there to stay close to her, even though he said it’s because he is trying to expand the family business.
Even though we both live in New York we don’t talk to each other much since I like being by myself most of the time and Landon is really only ever concerned about himself and his long lost love.
Ryker is the brother that cares and checks on all of us because of his big brother tendencies.
My family knows I’m coming back home today because I told Niko to let them know. Landon said he’ll be stopping by as well since we should all have a family reunion. Plus, he’s a nosey fuck and wants to know who I’m bringing home.
So this should be fun.
“Where are we going?” Isabella, asks with some attitude.
“My childhood home,” I answer while looking at my phone, going through countless emails. “I told your boss that you’re taking a trip and won’t be back for a while. You’ll be writing while you’re here so he doesn’t worry.”
“You talked to my boss?” She widens her eyes. “Slade, you can’t do that! That’s my job!” she says, getting pissed off.
I put my phone in my pocket. “Yes, I talked to your boss because I can’t have him or anyone else questioning what’s going on with you while I have you here. For all they know, you are on a writing retreat, clearing your head.”
“How am I supposed to work on a book when you are forcing me-”
“Last time I checked, I’m not stopping you from writing.
You are. You’re the one who is arguing with me instead of focusing on your writing.
The estate is quiet and my mom makes really good food.
You’ll like it there and have some peace and quiet and a bunch of time to write while also getting our wedding ready. ”
“Wedding?! I can’t get married. I’m only twenty-one!”
“Who said you can’t?” I raise an eyebrow at her.
“I did. I’m not ready for that Slade. I can’t marry you. You’re a murderer and god knows what else. You have been keeping so many things from me, I don’t even know who you are.”
“You will learn. I’ll explain everything.”
“You keep saying that.” She crosses her arms over her chest like a toddler and turns to face the window. “I’ll never marry you.”
“Never say never, wife.”
I admire her pissed off face.
I don’t know why but her being fired up and ready to attack someone, does things to me.
I love seeing this side of her.
Her ears get red when she’s mad and her eye twitches too.
She has that fucking sparky attitude that makes me want to fuck it out of her and show her who’s really in charge between the two of us.
I watch Isabella until Niko pulls into the estate gates.
The grass is green and flowers are blooming in the front yard.
There are multiple cars lined up on the driveway and Niko parks next to my mother’s Cullinan. “Whose cars are these?” she asks while staring at every supercar.
“Me and my brothers,” I answer and her jaw drops.
“When we get in there, I can’t have you disrespecting me.
I know you are mad at me right now, it will pass, but until it does you will not disrespect me in front of my men or my brothers’ men.
You’ll be respectful to my mother.” She glares at me.
“You keep your attitude and that bratty side for inside the bedroom, where it’s just us two.
But out here, keep your mouth shut and don’t pull that disrespectful American bullshit. If you do, you’ll be punished.”
“Punished how?” She raises an eyebrow, daring me, tempting me.
I smirk and slide my hand onto her thigh. “You’ll find out the kind of person I’ve been trying to hide from you.” I grip her thigh tightly and gasp softly. “Behave.”
I kiss her cheek before reaching over and opening her door. Niko is outside and lends her a hand as she gets out.
I follow her out and close the door behind me while staring up at my childhood home.
The place hasn’t changed.
Except my cars, which look like they have been washed since I first left here.
I wish I could have taken my cars with me but in New York, traffic is terrible, which is why I take my bike everywhere.
Isabella scours the estate and looks at all the cars, amazed and probably confused.
I grab her hand in mine, and she turns her head. “Come,” I say as I walk us towards the front door.
Before I can grab the handle, the door opens wide revealing my mother.
Angela Rykov looks like she hasn’t aged a day.
I’m pretty sure she has some Botox but my mom has always been a beautiful woman and looked very young.
She always took care of herself.
“Oh my goodness, my baby.” She smiles before coming over to me and throwing her arms around me. I let go of Isabella’s hand and hug my mom back. She smells like home and suddenly I realize how much I’ve missed my mother. “It’s so good to have you home, baby,” she says in Russian.
Isabella is going to have to pick up on the Russian to understand everyone at the house.
They can speak English but not as good as me and my brothers since we spend a lot of time in the U.S.
My eyes go to Isabella and it looks like her facial expression has softened and she isn’t glaring at me anymore which is a good sign.
“Mom, I want you to meet someone,” I say, letting go of her. She glances from me to Isabella and smiles at her. “Her name is Isabella.”
“You're absolutely stunning,” my mom says, with her strong Russian accent. “How did Slade find such a beautiful girl like you?”
“He got lucky I guess,” she jokes.
My mom hugs her. “Sorry, I love hugs.” She squeezes her tightly. “I can’t wait to show you all of Slade’s baby photos. He was such a troublemaker, my son.”
She grabs Isabella’s hand, stealing her away from me, and they both walk inside. I watch as my mom talks to her while holding her hand.
My mom loves physical touch.
It’s her main love language along with cooking for people she loves. Which is probably where I got my love of cooking for Isabella from.
“I’m having Alexei bring in the bags now. Did you want your bags and hers in the same room?” Niko comes up from behind me.
I nod. “Yes. Put them in my room.”
“Of course. Also, I’m having someone keep an eye out for Georgino Bandino,” Niko says.
“You found out more information about him?” I say, not looking at Niko, instead keeping my eyes on my girl and my mother.
“I’m connecting the dots between him and Isabella’s dad. I’ll have a full report for you tonight.”
“Good. Make sure the house is guarded. I want guards covering the whole perimeter.”
“Yes, sir,” Niko says before leaving.
I walk inside the house, feeling all sorts of emotions.
Flashes of my dad and my memories as a child haunt me.
I freeze when my eyes go to the foyer.
“I always knew it’d be you, Slade. I always knew you’d be the one to do it, you little devil,” my dad spits in Russian.
My mom is crying on the floor next to him and my hands now have blood on them.
My brothers and sister can never know.
“If it isn’t the little devil,” a familiar voice says. Ryker walks out of the hallway where the main office is. “Mladshiy brat, you and I have a lot to chat about.”