Reuben Chapter 7 #2
A big smile stretched Cady’s face moments before she rushed closer and wrapped her arms around my waist. She was short, so on me, she was almost a foot shorter.
Nothing like her and Hoss. He was nearly a foot and a half taller than she.
We teased her that she looked like his child, not his woman. It was a sure way to fire her up.
“Shut up, you big lug. It’s good to see you and even better to see you, Cristiana,” Cady said as she let go of me and turned to hug my woman. Cristiana hugged her back.
“We’re happy to be here. I hope it’s alright that I came. Reuben wanted me to come with him,” she explained.
“Of course it’s okay. You might be a new friend, but you are one,” Cady assured her.
“I figured you’d be in there with Taj,” I said.
“I was, but they’re strict on the two visitors only crap, so her mom is in with them now,” I heard the disagreement with that policy in Cady’s voice. She wasn’t happy.
Hoss came over and greeted me, then Cristiana, while Cady bitched about the stupid rule. He grinned and said nothing. He knew his brat. If she got out of control, Hoss would be able to reel her in quickly.
After those two, the next was Alex and Carver. Cady called her brother and his soon-to-be wife over. Handshakes, hugs, and verbal greetings continued. After speaking with Alex and Carver, we met Gideon. He was Tajah’s mom, Tamara’s boyfriend, I explained to Cristiana.
When I moved her over to a small group of people, I saw Cristiana take in the two men standing on either side of an older man and woman who were seated.
The couple had pleasant smiles. However, despite their friendly appearance, the vibe of danger emanated from the older man.
He couldn’t help it. The two standing men emitted the same aura.
They didn’t smile. Cristiana cast me a questioning look. The man and woman stood.
“Cristiana, let me introduce some very special people to Mikhail and Tajah. This gentleman is Matvey Ivanova, and the stunning woman beside him is his wife, Victoria. Matvey is a second cousin to Mikhail. Matvey, Victoria, I’d like to present Cristiana Perez.
She’s a new friend to Taj and Mikhail and my girlfriend,” I boldly stated.
We hadn’t said that word out loud before, but it was what we were. Being the sophisticated, charming, and alpha male that he was, Matvey held out his hand to Cristiana first. She extended hers. However, instead of a handshake, he was Old World courtly and raised her hand to his mouth for a kiss.
“Cristiana, it is a true pleasure to meet you. I have no idea how Reuben captivated someone like you. We’ll speak of it later,” Matvey winked at her as he said it, causing Cristiana to laugh.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, too. And you as well, Victoria. May I call you by your first name?” my woman asked smoothly. They were charmed by her. Before they got into any kind of discussion, Cristiana glanced at the silent men.
“May I ask who the two of them are?” she asked our small group.
“Yes, you may. These are two of our bodyguards. The one on the left is Konstantin, and on the right is Nikita. I have a few others here, but they’re busy monitoring the hospital,” Matvey informed her.
Cristiana had no clue she was talking to a Bratva boss. Hell, most of the time, I had difficulty believing it. And it wasn’t out of fear of them. It was from anxiety, not wanting to offend them. They accepted me due to my close relationship with Mikhail.
“You need bodyguards? That has to suck at times. Are they always with you?” Cristiana asked.
“They are except in the safety of our home and the grounds. Even then, they can lurk in the distance. And yes, as much as I love them, it sucks,” Victoria confirmed. She smiled at Nikita and Konstantin to soften her words. They gave Victoria a small smile.
“It can, but I would never risk anything happening to my darling wife. She’s my life.
It’s nice to have so many people who care about Mikhail and Tajah join us.
Mikhail should be popping out here soon and giving us an update.
Drinks and snacks will be available at any moment. Let’s get comfortable,” Matvey said.
As if he conjured it, two men dressed in suits similar to the bodyguards came in, pushing two large carts.
One was overflowing with cups, various beverage containers, plates, and utensils.
On the other cart were huge platters filled with pastries and more, along with a massive bowl of mixed fresh fruit.
They parked them against an empty wall. After they did, they came over to Matvey.
“Sir, is there anything else you need?” One of them asked. When he spoke, his Russian accent was unmistakable. Matvey had a slight one in comparison.
“No, I believe that’s it for now, Vasily. I assume everything is quiet elsewhere,” Matvey stated.
“Of course. If anything were to change, we’ll have you and Mrs. Ivanova moved immediately,” Vasily assured him.
“Thank you. Please, go back to your other duties.”
As they bowed, Victoria thanked them sweetly. “Emil, Vasily, thank you so much for looking out for us.”
“It’s our pleasure and honor to do so,” they both murmured.
“See what I have to deal with? I have men surrounding me, but do they do it because they want to? No, it’s because they’re all in love with my gorgeous wife.
She has them all under a spell. I pretend it’s because I’m their boss and they respect me, but that’s not the reason.
I have to be on alert at all times that one of them doesn’t steal her away,” Matvey said convincingly.
I heard Cristiana gasp as Emil, Vasily, Konstantin, and Nikita all nodded in agreement and murmured basically that Matvey was right.
Victoria laughed and blew them kisses, causing her husband to scowl and then say, “Get back to work before I make you disappear. She’s throwing kisses now,” he growled.
Vasily and Emil bowed again before they left the room. Others around us had been listening and were smiling and chuckling. Konstantin and Nikita resumed their stances, their feet spread, and their arms crossed with their hands clasped together.
“Pay him no mind, he’s silly. After thirty-six years of marriage, you would think he would be over worrying about other men wanting me. I’m an old woman,” Victoria said as she wrapped an arm around her husband, giving him a loving look.
“Old, my ass. You’re still young and beautiful. I’ll go to my grave still worried and fighting off the men. They’ll descend like vultures when I go, so I’m depending on Mikhail to protect you,” was Matvey’s response.
We spent a few minutes talking to them before we excused ourselves.
We did it because Mikhail had come in to give an update.
After he was through, we went to say hello.
A happy Cady and Victoria went out of the room.
Nikita trailed after them. Mikhail was coming out, and so would Tamara, so that others could see Taj for a bit.
“Glad to see you made it, buddy. And that you came with him,” Mikhail said to us.
“You know I wouldn’t miss this,” I assured him.
“Thanks. So, you introduced Cristiana to my cousin, I see,” Mikhail smirked.
“He did. And they’re both lovely, though your cousin strikes me as a man not to mess with. And I’m not just saying that because of his bodyguards. I almost asked him if he was that important to need them, but I behaved,” Cristiana told us.
We both smirked, then Mikhail chuckled. “Cristiana, why do you think he has so many guards?”
She thought for a minute or so, then shrugged. “I don’t know. Is he a politician or tycoon?”
“He’s certainly no politician. As for tycoon, in a way he is, but not the way you think,” my friend clarified.
“Okay, you’re both smiling like loons. Tell me,” she insisted.
“Do you know what Pakhan means in Russian?” Mikhail asked.
Her face froze. “Yeeaah, I think so. Isn’t that what they call the boss in the Russian Mafia?” Her voice was tentative and low.
“The Bratva? Yes, it is. That’s what Matvey is. He heads up a large group within the Brotherhood, the Bratva,” Mikhail finished.
“You’re kidding, aren’t you? You’re teasing me,” she responded.
“Matvey, would you come here, please? We need you to clarify something for Cristiana,” Mikhail called out.
My woman tried to beg him to stop, but Mikhail ignored her. He was smirking. He loved it when he could shock people. Matvey immediately joined us.
“Yes, dvoyurodnyy brat, cousin, what is it?” Matvey asked.
“Cristiana was curious why you needed bodyguards. She guessed you might be a wealthy tycoon or politician. I told her what you do, but she seems to doubt me. Would you tell her what you do for a living?” Mikhail asked.
“Certainly. Cristiana, I am the Pakhan of an elite group that deals with ideology, organization, and management of the Bratva. It is the highest group within the Brotherhood. Now, I know that may frighten you, but please be assured that if you don’t harm us, we won’t hurt you.
And I’m not here as the Pakhan. I’m here as semeystvo, family. ”
I felt Cristiana push back against me. She was standing with her back to me. Her body sagged. I wrapped my arms securely around her. It was as if she needed me to support her.
“It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? I was shocked when I first learned about it. I can assure you, I’ve never had Matvey or his people be anything other than kind to me. You met Victoria. She’s a sweetheart,” I told her.
“And before you ask or think it, no, I’m not involved in the Bratva.
It is my family legacy, but my father was allowed to break away, which was unheard of, and left to marry and have me.
I have a connection to my father’s family through Matvey, who was his first cousin, but that’s all.
Over time, people have heard I have the connection and erroneously think I am in the family business.
It has helped to prevent some from messing with me and Lustz,” Mikhail further explained.
“No shit, it would help,” came out of her mouth.
As we all laughed, she relaxed. We caught up for a bit longer before letting Mikhail and his cousin circulate. I took my woman to sit down. She needed it.