Chapter 25 #2
“No need to scold me, plemyannitsa. It’s not like I’m going to kill her now.”
Killing Isobel, now that she’s Marcello’s, would be a death sentence.
And dying isn’t in my plans. Not when I still have a full life with Stella to look forward to.
“I would love to see you try,” Isobel shoots back, with a mocking smirk that almost puts mine to shame.
Almost.
“Sass. I like her.” I laugh. “Women with fire in their veins always make life more interesting, don’t you agree?
” I grin, before looking over my shoulder just to get another look at my soul.
My heart cracks down the middle when she doesn’t return my gaze, too focused on greeting her guests.
“Just be careful, Romano. In my experience, the ones who set your blood on fire are usually the ones who cast the coldest shadows too.”
My sorrow must be written all over my face, because before I know it, Kira is already tugging at my wrist, wanting to lead me away.
“Um… come, Uncle. Let’s go find Darius. He’ll be excited to see you.”
I nod. But before I get too far, I glance back at Marcello and find myself imparting a few last words of wisdom. “If you love her, hold on tight. Women like her are like embers. You might think you’ve tamed them, but they can flare up without warning.”
Confusion mars Marcello’s features as my niece drags me away from him and his girlfriend.
“Out of all my uncles, I didn’t think I’d have to worry about you, Uncle Kill,” Kira whispers nervously beside me, while leading me further within the swarm of guests. “Kostya, definitely, but not you. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Ahh, my sweet plemyannitsa. No one would dare hurt me today. Not here,” I retort, my eyes once again finding Stella, hating that there is still a sea of distance between us.
I need to hold her.
Kiss her.
Beg her to reconsider her decision and just be mine.
Be mine like I am hers.
God, how many fucking guests are going to come to this fucking party?!
And does she really need to greet each one? Enough already!
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Kira mutters at my side.
It’s the worry in her voice that has me taking my eyes off Stella just to follow Kira’s line of sight.
Blyad.
The Crane twins are staring at me like they can already smell blood in the water. Like they would love nothing more than to kill me where I stand.
“I see Jude and his lovely wife brought an entourage with them.”
“Of course, they did. Remus and Rolo are family too.” She shrugs like it should be obvious to me.
“No, my darling, Kira,” I coo, thankful that her boyfriend got lost in the crowd so I can speak freely. “You’re family. Darius is family. And yes, I’ll even accept Mina as part of the Romano household. But those two?” I tilt my chin toward the psycho twins. “They’re a powder keg waiting to happen.”
“And your presence might be just the excuse they need to light the fuse,” she says quietly, worry creasing her brow.
“Their animosity isn’t with me. Sasha is the bane of their existence.”
“I hope you’re right. Still… I’d feel a whole lot better if I stick by your side for the rest of the day.”
“Very well. Just as long as you leave me enough room to talk to my girl.”
“Is that really wise, Uncle?” she asks, her concern aimed at my heart instead of my neck this time.
“You’ve been hurting for so long. I’d hate to see her break your heart again.
I love Stella like a sister, but I can’t bear watching you like this.
These last couple of months, it’s felt like you’ve been walking around like some kind of zombie.
Even Uncle Kostya’s worried and he never worries about anything. ”
“I’m perfectly fine,” I lie, hating that I haven’t managed to hide my sorrow as well as I thought.
“Sure you are.” She rolls her eyes, unaware she picked up that habit from Stella herself.
“Enough of that. Today is a day of celebration. Let’s enjoy it, yes?”
She nods, but her worry doesn’t fully fade.
Not too long ago, she didn’t even know I existed, and here she is now…loving me so deeply that my pain becomes hers.
Just like Katya would.
“Frankie?” a familiar voice calls out behind us, making us both turn. Selene walks toward us with a warm smile planted on her face. “Would it be terribly rude if I borrowed your uncle for a moment?”
Kira looks between us, stunned and unsure.
“I’ll be fine,” I assure her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Go find Darius and your boyfriend. I’m sure Lucky is frantic by now.”
“Okay. If you’re sure…” she hesitates.
“I promise I’ll keep your uncle safe,” Selene adds gently, going to the root of Kira’s real concern in abandoning me. “No one will touch him in my house. I guarantee that.”
All the worry on Kira’s shoulders melts instantly.
And surprisingly… Selene’s promise settles something inside me too.
Selene loops her arm through mine and leads me outside towards the backyard, uncaring that we get a few scornful looks thrown our way. Once we’re far enough that no one can overhear us, she lets go of my arm and turns to face me head on.
“You’re quite the brave man. I’ll give you that.”
“Do I need bravery to attend a graduation party?”
“Now, Mr. Petrov,” she says calmly, “please don’t insult my intelligence. This conversation will go a lot smoother if we’re both frank with one another.”
“By all means,” I nod.
“You know what this day is, don’t you? How important it is for my Stella?”
“I know you’ve done your very best to keep this day from happening. Does that clarify it?”
A smile blooms across her face, instead of the frown I expected to appear.
“I see my Stella has confided in you… all her woes. That alone tells me she trusts you. And earning my daughter’s trust is no small feat.”
“Very true.”
“But that isn’t all you’ve managed to accomplish, is it, Mr. Petrov?”
“Please, call me Kill.”
“Very well, Kill.” She smiles. “Tell me, what exactly are your intentions where my daughter is concerned?”
“We’re speaking frankly?”
She nods.
“I intend to make her my wife. Is that plain enough?”
When her green eyes—so much like her daughter’s—dim, my chest tightens.
“Have you told this to Stella?”
“I’ve made my intentions clear enough.”
“And what were her thoughts on the matter?”
“Judging by the pity in your eyes, you already know exactly what her thoughts are.”
“That’s what I was afraid of.” Selene sighs, her expression softening as if a realization has just clicked into place.
A heavy pause settles between us before she continues.
“My Stella has always been fiercely independent, you know. Extremely so. Being her mother has been the challenge of a lifetime.” I stay silent, letting her speak.
“Most parents have some influence on their children’s happiness—at least until they leave the nest. But my Stella?
She has always marched to the beat of her own drum, never letting anyone dictate her path.
” She swallows hard. “Do you know how powerless it feels, as a mother, to watch your child choose a life of bloodshed and pain? A life you tried so hard to shield all your children from?”
“If it’s what makes her happy, then why try to stop it? Why stand in the way of her happiness?”
“Who says that was ever my intention? No, Kill. What I’d love nothing more is for my daughter to stop running from true happiness like the plague.
” Her voice cracks just once. “Yes, once inducted, Stella will live the life she always dreamed of. But you and I both know that serving any criminal organization isn’t enough to fill the hollow in your heart.
You need people for that. People to love. ”
I don’t say anything, too afraid my voice will betray me.
She looks at me again, as if she can read every thought running through my mind.
“Do you know how a woman knows when a man is in love?” she asks suddenly.
I shake my head.
“Through the eyes,” she says softly. “The way he looks at the person he loves most in the world.”
“And a woman? How…how do you know she loves you the same way?” I ask, my voice rougher and more vulnerable than I intended.
A shy smile tugs at Selene’s lips.
“By the way she smiles.” Her voice warms. “I saw more smiles on my daughter’s face while she was working with you on that riverboat casino than I’ve seen in most of her life.
” But then her expression dims. “However, after her father… got shot,” she mutters, lowering her head before looking back at me, “my sweet, wild, defiant daughter lost that endearing smile altogether.”
I swallow hard, my heartbeat drumming a mile a minute.
“By the way you’ve been looking at my Stella since you arrived, I think you’re the man who put that loving smile on her lips,” she continues gently. “And she’s the one who made sure to tear it out. Am I close?”
I nod, feeling raw and far too exposed.
“As I suspected.” She frowns sadly before stepping closer. “That’s why I thought it prudent to speak with you.”
“I see. And what exactly do you want to tell me?”
Selene takes my hands in hers, giving them a firm, motherly squeeze.
“All I’ve ever wanted for my Stella is her happiness.
And I think that happiness lies in you.” Another tender smile.
“But it won’t be easy. She will fight you.
She will push you away. She will even make you question whether she’s worth the misery she puts you through.
” Her voice softens further. “All I can say is that she is. My Stella is worthy of the world. She deserves every one of her heart’s desires.
She deserves true love… from a man worthy of her. ”
I nod again, still too shell-shocked to form words.
Selene surprises me further when she leans in closer, her lips only inches from my ear.