Chapter Twenty-Three
Lauren
There’s a warmth to Sophia and Timur’s house that catches me off guard.
We have barely entered the front gate, but Sophia’s gentle presence can already be felt everywhere.
She has added nice touches to the front garden—colorful planters line the walkway, and fairy lights are wrapped around the porch railings.
Pink and red roses adorn the walkway that leads to the house, and there’s even a bird bath over in the corner that welcomes a variety of species.
The faint flapping of wings is music to my ears, making me feel like I’m out in nature, far away from the buzz of downtown Atlanta.
The door opens. There’s a squeal.
“You’re here!” Sophia pushes past the doorway to wrap her arms around me, bringing me into a warm hug.
I embrace her tightly, not realizing how glad I am to have my best friend back.
With everything going on lately, Sophia and I haven’t had time to catch up, not properly.
Not like old times when we used to invite ourselves over to one another’s houses, gossiping and talking crap for hours.
A dark figure materializes behind her, walking down the corridor. Like a guard dog, Timur emerges and stares at me with calculating eyes. He has the same careful aura as Nikolai, cautious as to whom he invites in.
When his gaze flicks over to us, he extends his hand. “Come in.”
I step in, catching sight of Timur’s hand at Sophia’s lower back. It’s such a small gesture, but carries so much significance, and I can’t help but smile when I watch Sophia ease into him instinctively. It’s the small, unspoken things that indicate two people are in love.
I never expected this to happen. They’re clearly besotted with each other—I see that now. Timur might be a dangerous man, but he looks after Sophia, and somehow, that makes me feel happy for my bestie.
Sophia has filled the house with the scent of the roses growing outside, a fresh, floral smell filling every room we walk into.
I catch sight of some of the bouquets gathered in vases on the windowsills, intricately trimmed and arranged.
For a brief moment, I wonder if Timur comforts her like I used to whenever she cut her finger on a thorn.
Sophia directs us into the living room, where Nikolai and I take a seat on a leather couch. I expect him to sit at the other arm, putting distance between us, but he doesn’t. He sits right next to me, close enough for our thighs to almost touch.
I immediately notice as Sophia picks up on this.
I also notice how different she looks. Happier, more put together than she used to be during high school. She was uncertain during the wedding ceremony, her smiles not quite reaching her eyes, but they’re bright now, even when she’s not smiling.
Glancing at Nikolai, I place my palms on my thighs. “We have news.”
Sophia leans forward. “Do tell.”
Timur smirks at Nikolai as they share a look.
I motion for Sophia to come and sit next to me as I slip the envelope from my purse. Timur also comes up behind Nikolai, his tall frame looming over us like a dark shadow. He murmurs something to his boss in Russian. I hand Sophia the envelope, counting down the seconds before she squeals.
“A girl?! Oh my God, babe! Are you serious?” Sophia throws her arms around me. I can’t tell if this is a squeeze or a hug, or both. “Lauren!” She takes her chin from my shoulder, a tear forming in the corner of her eye. “This is amazing.”
Timur slaps Nikolai on the shoulder and they fall into Russian again.
“Da,” says Nikolai to Timur, which I now know means ‘yes.’
Timur leans closer to Nikolai’s ear, murmuring something low that softens his features. He pulls away, his voice returning to its original volume.
“Congratulations, bratan. She’s going to have the most terrifyingly protective father in the world.”
Nikolai shoves his comrade in the side, firing something back in Russian that has them both roaring with laughter. When they both settle down again, Timur jerks his head towards what I presume to be his office, and the two stand, heading away.
Nikolai meets my eyes before he leaves to enter the room, nodding at me with reassurance. It feels like we’re allies now.
Maybe even more.
As soon as the two men disappear into the office, Sophia squeals again. “Look at you, girl!” She grips both of my hands, smiling. “You are besotted.”
“Come on, Soph.” I roll my eyes to try and alleviate the blush I feel creeping up my neck, but it’s no good. She takes note of it, tilting her head. “Okay.” I hold up my hands, admitting defeat. “Maybe a little.” I lean in, whispering in her ear. “But only because he’s good in bed.” I joke.
“No wonder,” says Sophia.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Come on. They’re big, bad Russian men that look like demigods. Of course they’re going to be good in bed.”
“They?” I raise an eyebrow. Now it’s my turn to tease. “Look at me? Look at you! Totally smitten!”
A blush heats Sophia’s cheeks. She shakes her head, doing a terrible job of trying to hide it.
I wish I could say that this isn’t the happiest I have ever seen her, but I’d be lying.
She’s glowing. She’s content. There’s a calmness about her energy.
With the financial burdens of her father off her chest, she can finally relax.
I’m glad Timur has provided her with security and gone through with what he promised to do for her. It’s uplifting. Makes me wonder if I was wrong about Nikolai and Timur this entire time…
Sophia beams at me, admitting defeat. “Okay, fine. I am totally smitten,” she laughs. “He’s a good husband.”
“Sounds to me like he’s a good lover.” I tickle her chin and she slaps me away, laughing.
“Yes, that too.” The blush returns to her cheeks.
My eyebrow lifts. “You fell for each other!”
Sophia looks at me with a knowing grin, biting the corner of her mouth like a part of her doesn’t want to admit that I’m right.
I suppose we have that in common.
“It wasn’t the plan,” she says. “We just… fell into this good place. He wants the relationship. Puts in the effort.”
I pull her into a hug. “I’m happy for you, Soph. It’s what you deserve.”
It’s the truth. She has been burdened by her family’s drama for far too long.
It’s time she lives a life on her own terms, doing whatever she wants and when.
By the look of things, Timur gives her the freedom to do what she wants, letting her plant roses in every corner of the garden, rearranging his house the way she pleases.
He wouldn’t allow her to do those things if he wasn’t in love with her.
“Anyway,” continues Sophia. “Back to you. What’s going on with dark, brooding baby-daddy over there? And don’t give me this good-in-bed-bullshit. I know it’s more than that.”
I settle into my seat, exhaling. I have drawn the truth out of Sophia, so it’s only fair I give her my clear conscience too.
I shrug. “Honestly? I still don’t know. We haven’t spoken about what we mean to each other yet. We just fell into this good place, no longer wanting to tear each other’s heads off.”
Sophia looks at me with amused eyes. “That’s a start.”
“Yeah,” I say. “He makes me feel…” I toy with the right word in my mind.
“Safe, I guess. Something I don’t think I’ve ever felt before.
His presence makes me feel like my whole life, I’ve been going to sleep holding an imaginary gun, waiting for something bad to happen.
I feel like I can let go around him. Like I can relax, let him take guard, and hold the gun for a moment. I don’t know what that means exactly.”
Sophia studies my eyes like she’s trying to work out the explanation for me. After a long pause, she clicks her tongue. “What do you mean you don’t know?” She brings her hands onto my shoulders, rattling me. “Lau, you’re having his child for fuck’s sake.”
“Yeah, but…”
“But what? Stop trying to beat around the bush. You’re about to become a mother, girl!”
“That’s exactly it, Soph. His world is dangerous. It would be a totally different scenario if there wasn’t a baby involved, but there is.”
Sophia watches me. “It’s a valid point, but living in their world doesn’t automatically make them dangerous people. Timur provides a security I never had in my life. Nikolai will do the same for you. If you let him. He will protect you no matter what. I’m sure of it.” Her eyes hold a promise.
“You think so?”
“I know so. I was scared at first too. Had my doubts. All you have to do is look at him. Haven’t you noticed the way he looks at you?” She pauses for a moment, her features softening. “Besides, if that’s still not enough, you’ll always have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear those words. “Thanks, Soph.”
“Sure thing, babe.” She grins.
I hate to be the one to dim that gorgeous smile, but I need to tell her something. She analyzes my face like it’s her favorite piece of literature.
“Something is still bothering you.”
I take a deep breath. “I found something, Soph.”
She tilts her head.
“My father.” I shut my eyes, in disbelief that I’m actually saying the words. “I think he might be responsible for Mom’s death.”
Sophia’s eyes widen as the color drains from her face. “What? Are you for real? I hope you’re not jumping to conclusions too early.”
“I wish I was. There was a name… Aslanov. He transferred two million to him the day before Mom died.”
Sophia almost jumps up. “Holy freaking shit, Lauren! Two million? What are you going to do?”
I shake my head. “The wisest thing would be to turn him over to the pol—”
“No!”
Sophia isn’t one for interrupting and shutting down ideas, so I straighten up on the couch, eagerly waiting for what she has to say. “No? What do you mean?”
“Listen, Lauren.” She licks her lips, like she’s considering how much she can share with me. “If this has something to do with Aslanov, the worst thing you can do is go to the cops. This is way above their pay grade.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are powers here that you… that you and I can’t comprehend,” she continues. “I’m telling you as your best friend. Whatever you do, do not ever take this to the police.”
Jesus.
I frown. It’s one thing for Nikolai to tell me to keep things to myself, but another thing when Soph, the flower girl, tells me to avoid the police.
I deepen my stare. She has been living with Timur for over two months now. Do they all know something that I don’t? Something Nikolai doesn’t want to tell me?
“What am I supposed to do then?”
“You need to put your trust in Nikolai, Lau. Let him help you. Otherwise… one wrong move and you could get hurt. And not just you.” She places a hand on my lower abdomen where a small bump has started to grow.
Her eyes return to me, cold in warning. “This isn’t just about you anymore.
Trust that Nikolai will sort all of this out for you, as the father of your daughter. ”
I don’t know why that makes my blood run cold, but it does. I nod. One way or the other, Sophia has a point. Maybe I am out of my depth here. And with a healthy daughter on the way, the last thing I need to be doing is stepping blind into danger.
I can no longer afford to put myself in harm’s way.
Especially not when I’m carrying the Pakhan’s child.