38. Tatiana #2
I knew everyone was eager to get back home and get ready for the holidays. Especially with all my nieces and nephews. I had been utilizing my ‘Buy Now’ button like it was going out of style. I wasn’t sure whether Amazon was a Godsend or a curse.
“Let’s put it behind us and y’all go back to your wives,” I suggested hopefully.
Branka was here with Sasha, but Aurora and Isabella were still back in the states.
It was unheard of for my brothers to be away for that long.
“I need rest and lots of food to feed my own babies. You guys are not helping. Every time I turn around, all my ice cream is gone.”
Vasili stifled his grin. “That might be Branka’s doing. She’s crazy about ice cream. Go figure.”
Sasha’s gaze turned murderous at the mention of my babies.
He really couldn’t handle the idea that I’d been having sex.
Somehow with Adrian it never registered, not that I had much sex with him but now that I had two little buns in the oven, so to speak, my brothers couldn’t pretend to be oblivious.
“Your husband is lucky you ordered me not to kill him,” Sasha grumbled. “Knocking up my sister. How dare he touch you?”
I rolled my eyes. “How dare you touch your wife?” I retorted wryly.
“That’s different,” he mumbled under his breath.
“I’m sure Alessio wouldn’t agree,” I snapped, a bit cranky. God, they really had to go back home. “But if it makes you feel better, feel free to think of the holy spirit filling me with twins. Whatever works for you.”
“Let her be, Sasha,” Alexei came to the rescue. “She’s still recovering.”
I shook my head. “I’m not. I’m all good.
Honestly, y’all can go home.” I picked up my cell phone.
“See this device?” I waved it in the air.
“It means we can facetime and talk every day. Via this magical device called a cell phone, ” accentuating the last two words like I was trying to teach them a new language.
The fact that I managed to keep my eyes from rolling was a miracle.
Sasha feigned hurt feelings. Even went as far as his lip trembling, but the twinkle in his eyes ruined it all. “I feel unwanted.”
Branka strode into the room at that moment and I jumped at the opportunity.
“Branka, guess what? Sasha was just saying how he might surprise you and take you to visit your brother.” Alessio, her brother, lived in Toronto.
They were on slightly better terms. I think.
“Since Canada’s practically our neighbor. ”
She snorted but the moment our eyes met, she got the message. “I think that’s a great idea,” she agreed. “I want to see my nephew. I heard Aurora has been trying to take over my ‘best aunt’ status.”
Alexei’s eyebrow shot up. “Trying? It’s already done. She got the boy a drone.”
“What?” Branka squealed, her eyes darting between her husband and Alexei. “Why am I only now finding this out? Goddamn it. What is better than a drone?”
I grinned. “Get him a helicopter or an airplane. You’ll totally win.”
“A real one?” she gasped.
“Or one of those remote control ones,” I suggested. “With the camera installed in it. They’re better than drones.”
“Aha,” she exclaimed. “Sasha, pack it up. We’re going to be there at the same time as the plane. I want to see his face when he gets it and then we’ll facetime Aurora.”
Her grin and smug expression matched my brother’s. No wonder the two got along.
“Shouldn’t we get him that for Christmas?” Sasha questioned, reluctantly getting to his feet.
She snickered. “Are you kidding me?” Her hand waved at Alexei, then back to Sasha. “He’ll tell Aurora. He’s her husband and she’s got him wrapped around her little finger.”
And just like that I got rid of Sasha.
Vasili’s gaze softened on me, then kissed both of my cheeks. “Are you happy, Tatiana?”
“I am,” I murmured. “Deliriously. Crazy happy.”
Or I would be, when my brothers went back to their families, and I’d spend some quiet time with my husband.
My lips curved thinking of my husband. It had been three nights since he proposed. The ruthless Pakhan seemed to be a romantic at heart. Okay, that might be going too far but I appreciated the gesture. He gave me the choice. He wanted me to choose him.
And I did. I would. Always.
For the rest of that night, Illias couldn’t stop touching me.
As if he had to convince himself that I was alive.
I slept cuddled into him, holding on to him.
To this. To our happiness. But then the next morning Illias pecked me on the cheek and said he had some work to do.
He kept tight-lipped about the type of work and then I hadn’t seen him since.
My brothers kept me busy for the three days following our first day back. But tonight, I’d get rid of them. Vasili insisted on ensuring I went to sleep. So he sat on the couch in my bedroom, reading something on his phone. Knowing him, probably a contract for a real estate deal.
I laid on the bed, with my hands tucked under my cheek and my eyelids heavy.
He was never much of a talker. It was the reason he used to put me to bed when I was a kid.
When Sasha tucked me in, he’d talk and then I’d talk, next thing you knew, it was midnight and Vasili would lose his shit on us.
When Vasili tucked me in, it was efficient and quiet.
“You still sleep in the same position,” Vasili remarked, his eyes still reading the screen of his phone. The man was efficient. He was lucky Isabella fell for him, because I honestly didn’t know another woman who’d put up with such a workaholic.
“I’m a creature of habit,” I admitted softly.
“Where is Illias?” I questioned.
He shrugged. “Somewhere downstairs.”
“That’s helpful,” I noted wryly. “This place is huge. Any chance you could narrow it down for me?”
“No.”
I let out a frustrated breath. So typical. Men always stuck together. But they could never outsmart me. I’d find him one way or another.
Silence followed, full of past ghosts and memories. For me, most memories of my childhood were happy. Thanks to my brothers. But I knew Sasha and Vasili weren’t as lucky. He finally put the phone down, guilt crossing his face.
“Fuck, Tatiana,” he rasped. “I failed you. I let Adrian, that asshole–”
I sat up suddenly, the mattress shifting under my weight.
“No, Vasili.” My voice was firm. Sharp. “You didn’t fail me. You have never failed me. Thanks to you and Sasha, I had a good life. I was loved.” My voice cracked at the last word. “So don’t you ever apologize.”
My big, fierce brother shouldn’t apologize to anyone. My throat squeezed and a tear rolled down my cheek. My darn hormones and emotions working overtime. I slid out of the bed and padded across the floor to the couch where he sat. I lowered myself on the floor and hugged his knees.
“I don’t want you to be my father and mother anymore,” I rasped. “Just my brother. You have little ones and enough things to worry about. And I’ll worry for them alongside you. But no more gray hair for you because of me.”
Our gazes held. “I love you, Brother.”
He let out an affectionate breath.
“God, you grew up.” He brushed my cheek affectionately. “I love you too. And I can’t help but worry about you. Always.”
I grinned. “Well you don’t have to anymore.”
He let out a sigh. “I know, Sestra.” Two, no three favorite words in Russian. Sestra and moya luna.
“Promise me, you’ll try not to worry,” I insisted. “Isabella would have my head if my actions caused you to have a heart attack.” The look on his face was the one I knew well. The stubborn man. “Let Illias worry about me,” I suggested playfully. “Let him get gray hair.”
That drew a big smile out of my brother.
“I like that,” he said, chuckling deeply.
I loved hearing my big brother laugh. Sasha and I gave him plenty to worry about, even before he learned the truth about our mother.
His expression turned serious. “You are safer with Konstantin than you ever were with Adrian. It makes it easier not to worry as much.”
“It’s time you and Alexei go back to your wives,” I told him seriously. “They’re starting to nag me. I know they’re nagging you.”
The knock on the door interrupted. “Come in.”
My heart did a flip, but I knew it wouldn’t be Illias. He wouldn’t knock on our bedroom door. Alexei strolled in and I smiled.
“Exactly my other favorite brother I wanted to see,” I exclaimed softly, then rose to my feet.
“I thought Sasha is your favorite,” he remarked flatly.
I grinned mischievously. “All three of you are my favorite brothers. Some days more than others.”
He rolled his eyes. Legit rolled his eyes. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it myself.
“Alexei, did you just do an eye roll?” I teased.
He shrugged, the ghost of a smile on his lips.
It was good seeing my brothers happy. Content.
They deserved it. They’d suffered enough in life and earned their happiness.
Their families. “Okay, now. I just told Vasili and I’m going to tell you.
Both of your wives are driving me nuts. My cell phone beeps all the time asking me what you’re doing. You have to go home.”
Alexei folded his arms, leaning against the doorframe. He always liked to have an exit strategy. It was part of his DNA now. It was what years of being caged and abused did to a human being.
“Sofia Volkov has to be found,” Alexei answered.
“Moy brat, that could take years,” I murmured. “She held you and Aurora prisoners. She got away. She attacked her own great-granddaughter and got away. I know Illias can keep me protected. Just as both of you can protect your families.”
The two of them shared a look, and I knew they could see my reasoning made sense. So I waited, holding my breath.
“You’ll see me for Christmas,” I murmured softly. “Nothing can keep me away from my nephews and niece. Even though Kostya is a tad bit judgmental.”
Alexei cocked his brow and I shrugged. “He told me I stunk the last time I saw him,” I added.