Chapter 22
Kirill
“There’s no place like home.”
The Wizard of Oz
As I walked inside the house, the saying struck me. The only reason I’d even seen the movie was because it was one of Sasha’s favorites.
He was the first to notice me, his little eyes lighting up. “Kirill.” As he came running, I felt myself stiffen, which was ridiculous.
“How is the little man?” I scooped him into my arms, flying him around in a circle, which he adored. Soon, he would think the playful act far too childish. He was the epitome of his father, Kazimir cherishing every moment with a son he hadn’t known existed for almost five years.
As expected, Sasha rolled his eyes. “I’m not a baby.”
“And I never said you were. You’re a tough dude.” I did my best to use a cowboy voice while almost everyone in the room chuckled.
A typical reaction to a child’s innocent musings.
Only nothing in our world was innocent.
Fortunately, Sasha’s attention was dragged to Vivian, his little eyes opening wide. I was surprised as was everyone else in the room when he touched her hair.
“You’re pretty. Almost as pretty as my mom. Are you Kirill’s wife?”
“Sasha,” Kazimir gritted out.
“What, Dad? You told me to tell the truth.”
Rafaela could barely contain her laughter. Neither could anyone else. For Kazimir to hear his son, a little boy who’d only recently learned he had a father call him Dad meant everything. And for a few seconds, I was jealous.
Vivian pursed her lips together to keep from laughing, but she managed to look the little boy in the eyes, remaining entirely serious.
“Thank you, Sasha. That is the sweetest compliment I’ve heard in weeks.
” She even got her jab in with me, her feisty look something not to miss. “And no, we’re not married. Yet.”
The room was filled with people, including some of our own brought from Moscow along with lieutenants on Dimitri’s payroll.
Even Stash had been allowed out of the office, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
It was Kazimir and Dimitri who seemed especially shocked by Vivian’s statement.
Marriage. A useful tool as old as the beginning of time. Sacred to some, nothing more than a five- or so-year lease to others.
To me? I honestly hadn’t wanted to think about whether marriage should even be a word in my vocabulary.
However, I had to face facts. With the past few days, I realized even more about the importance of family.
Found or blood.
What gave me pause was seeing the group together in the entertainment room.
I was struck by how normal everything seemed, including Dante with his arm in a sling, sitting casually beside his sister and newborn nephew, both Rafaela and Dante animated.
Of course there’d been family functions before, as many celebrations as there’d been gatherings involving bloody business.
However, we were not in Moscow any longer, similar to what Dorothy had said to Toto.
Only I doubted Kansas was nearly as violent as Russia’s largest city.
Rafaela was seated on the couch, the baby in her arms. While she was pale, she managed to smile but not because I’d entered the room. Because of Vivian. Kazimir’s wife had mentioned on several occasions that I needed to find someone special.
She stood, handing the baby off to the nanny, who promptly left the room, before advancing. “Kirill. Believe it or not, I missed you.” She pulled me into a hug, something that had taken getting used to. “When I heard what happened, I was so worried. Are you alright?”
“My Zacharovannaya Koroleva,” Kazimir murmured while scanning Vivian thoroughly, “allow the man to come in and maybe grab a drink. I think we can all use one. Then we need to talk.”
“Calling me enchanted queen won’t get you your way. Besides, I need to thank our family doctor for saving my brother’s life.” Rafaela turned her full attention to Vivian.
“Careful, Rafaela. Vivian is as stubborn as…”
“Hey!” Vivian snarled, smacking me on the leg instead of my arm. Always my physician first. I’d need to break her of that. “If that’s your way of saying I’m tough on my patients, you would be right. Especially when they’re completely unmanageable.”
“Kirill is right,” Dante said from his comfortable perch. “I heard the stories of how she fought off the attackers. A very tough girl.”
“Well, as a tough girl, you saved my brother,” Rafaela repeated. “That’s all that matters.”
“I tended to his wounds, but he’s a strong man. And very lucky. The blade missed vital organs.” Vivian tensed as soon as Rafaela also pulled her into her arms for a hug, even searching my eyes with hers full of confusion.
“Just go with it,” I told her. “This is Vivian Hamilton. I wouldn’t be standing here if she hadn’t been a pain in my ass.” I could tell Kazimir in particular was shocked I was joking so easily. Around her, it was easy.
“And don’t you forget it,” Vivian said.
“To the woman who saved my commander’s life.” Kazimir lifted his glass. “As unconventional as the relationship is, I approve.”
“So do I,” Rafaela agreed. “She looks good on you.”
“They do realize I’m the enemy. Right?” Vivian breathed a sigh of relief.
Maybe so did I.
“I’m right here,” Rafaela chided. “And so was I at one point in my life. A story to be told over a full bottle of red wine. Trust me. These men revel in working with the enemy.” She winked before backing away.
“I’ll do the honors of getting drinks. But don’t count on me doing it ever again,” Stash said as he approached. “Vivian, I’m the half-brother, the smarter brother, and the much better-looking man than any of the assholes in this room.” He shook her hand.
“Oh!” Both Kazimir and Dimitri were in agreement. “You are full of yourself.”
“Red wine will be perfect. And don’t drink too much,” she told me. “You’re still recovering.”
“Ricin,” Kazimir murmured. “Is there a way of testing for the poison?”
“Yes, but much easier in a laboratory,” Vivian answered.
He nodded, glancing at me. “You are lucky to be alive. Are you certain the Ghost was responsible?”
“I’m not certain of anything,” I admitted. “But if he was, then it proves he’s not working alone.”
“Any idea of the identities of the men involved?” Kazimir turned his attention to Dante.
“Cormac handled checking the body, but from what he told me, there was no wallet, the only distinguishing marks a couple meaningless tattoos. No true identifiers.” Dante stood, moving closer.
“The two men I shot initially could have been almost any nationality. One was blond. One had dark hair,” I added.
“And the ones who attacked you last night?”
Kazimir wasn’t a stupid man. He was well aware of what had gone down but he wanted me to share the news.
Only Vivian stepped in before I had a chance. “I believe my uncle, who is Sean McCarthy, reneged on a promise he made to me and tried to have Kirill killed. The Bratva are a direct threat to my uncle’s regime. He even mentioned it at my sister’s wedding in Rome over a week ago.”
“She enjoys prowling darkened halls obtaining information that could be considered dangerous to her health,” I threw in.
“I’m no fool, Kirill. I’m well aware of how dangerous discovery can be, but I refuse to live in a black box where I’m not allowed to make decisions for my life, which is why after much consideration, I’ve determined it’s in my best interest and that of both Kirill and the Bratva here and in Moscow to get married. ”
Kazimir was thoroughly confused, even scratching his head. “I don’t think I understand. Who exactly are you getting married to?”
“Kirill. I asked him to marry me and while he’s still considering it, I’m fairly certain I can twist his arm.”
Stash stopped only a foot away, almost dropping the drinks.
Rafaela slapped her hand over her mouth, although the entire room could still hear her squeal.
Kazimir cocked his head, blinking several times as he stared at me.
And Dimitri, well, as expected, he was grinning.
But Dante’s reaction was the best of all. He pumped his fist. “I knew it. I just knew it. When I saw the two of you together, I had no doubt you were lovebirds.” He instantly paled. “I meant no disrespect, Doctor Hamilton. Please accept my apology.”
“In case no one has told you, Dante, I’m not like my uncle or my father. I do what I want, when I want.” Vivian turned toward me, lifting a single eyebrow. Questioning me as she always had and I suspected always would.
“Sounds like someone else we know,” Kazimir said and finally laughed. “If you wouldn’t mind, explain to me what you’re thinking.”
“My uncle is in an alliance with the Savoy Cosa Nostra, sealing it with the marriage of my sister Nikki to Enzo, the firstborn son rumored to be taking over for his father within the year. I overheard them discussing expansion plans, including using the Savoys’ Italian connections to handle the resale of illegal arms. No one is aware that my uncle began divesting his business over a year ago to include them.
In truth, the Italians are going to bring wine and olive oil to the United States.
Along with some high dollar party favors.
Instead of utilizing the businesses they currently own to launder money, they’re going to do so by purchasing a major oil and gas company.
No, I don’t know which one, but I’m certain I can find that out. ”
The room was silent. So was I. She was extremely valuable as an asset. Imagine my lovely Vivian as the enemy.
“I can see why you want to marry her.” Stash whistled and handed off the drinks. “Other than just her extreme beauty.”
I gave him a harsh glare before pulling the glass to my lips. Stash was definitely coming out of his shell. “You’re certain of this,” I said to her.
“I am. If I’d had more time, I was going to check on which oil company, but that should be easy enough to find since there are regulatory implications with such a sale.” She stared into her wine, but only briefly.
“So what are you suggesting?” Kazimir asked, more amused than I’d seen him in a long time.