Chapter 11 - Avit
Lev’s eyes lifted from his laptop, at the head of the table, to mine. “I’m not one to pry…”
We had just finished another deal with our allies in New York in an online meeting. Jaroslav, Marten, and Pyotr sat around the conference table at the headquarters as well.
I leaned back in my chair. “But you’re going to.”
He pushed his laptop aside and leaned forward, locking his fingers together. “Now that we know you're married…why are you still hiding Sienna? And why are you still MIA at family gatherings?"
Of course he asked. And because they’re my brothers, they think they’re entitled to answers. Normally, they are.
But not this time.
My mind flicked to last night; Sienna laughing softly while she baked with me, Wexler dropping off ice cream, her falling asleep against my shoulder unknowingly during The Sound of Music.
That kind of intimacy with Sienna wasn't something I had expected. Her opening up had shaken the walls I kept up to protect her. But now that I tasted it, a small part of me yearned for more.
“Well,” I said evenly, “we’ve both been busy. And she's completing her master’s in a few months, so she's focused on that.”
“Are you saying the rest of us aren't busy?” Jaroslav asked, his gray eyes darkening.
“No. I'm saying how Sienna and I handle our marriage is our business. I’ve never told anyone at this table how to manage the private sides of theirs, have I?”
“We’re not telling you how to run your marriage, Avit,” Lev replied. “But having your own family doesn’t mean you disappear from the family you come from.”
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, reining myself in. My brothers didn't deserve my agitation. Between worrying about Sienna and not getting any damn information on Jasper, I was stretched thin.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean to snap.”
“Did Sienna’s condition worsen?” Marten asked.
I shook my head. “She’s fine. She looked better this morning before she left for campus. Yesterday was her mother’s birthday, and we visited her grave. That hit her hard, and I'm just worried about her. I’m guessing that’s what triggered her illness.”
“Like Ninel,” Jaroslav said quietly.
“Yeah.”
After I’d put Sienna to bed last night, I’d spent most of the night in mine, tossing and turning, thinking about how easily she’d opened up to me and how natural it felt to open up to her in return.
Now, the guilt sat like a damn monster on my chest clawing at me.
I’d trapped her in this marriage, but I kept reminding myself it was for her own good, for her safety, even if she couldn’t see that yet.
The sooner we figured out who the hell Jasper was selling to, the sooner she could graduate, leave the country, and get to the UK, where she could finally be rid of her manipulative father for good.
“And you guys are coming to Ninel’s opening today, right?” Pyotr asked from next to me. “I’ve already seen the place, it’s perfect, and it’s right next to Diamond Palace Hotel.”
Shit. I’d forgotten.
The Diamond Palace Hotel was one of Artyom’s properties in the Rykov territory.
I ran a hand through my hair.
“What the hell, Avit? You forgot, didn’t you?” Pyotr shook his head disappointedly. “Never thought I’d see the day when Avit Safin became disorganized and forgetful.”
I shot him a look. “I’m very sorry I’m not Mr. Perfect.”
“Avit,” Lev cut in. “It’s fine. But whatever you’ve got planned this afternoon, cancel it.”
“Is that an order?” I lifted a brow.
“Yes. It is. In case you've forgotten, Ninel is our sister. This is a huge moment for her. And all of us have to be there to support her.”
“Fine.”
Jaroslav added, “The ladies will be here in about ten minutes. They want to go shopping, and I’m sure they’ll want to take Sienna with them.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. Having her at home, under my watch, interacting with them was one thing, but all of them unsupervised together? Sienna could let something slip without meaning to.
“I’m sure she has something at home she can wear.”
Marten gave me a strange look. “Why are you trying to keep Sienna from the other women?”
“I’m not,” I said, harsher than I meant. “She might still be raw from yesterday. And you all can see she’s not into the girly stuff like the others. Hell, I’ve bought her outfits she hasn’t even worn.”
“Maybe you haven’t taken her anywhere she could wear them,” Jaroslav said. “It doesn't mean she doesn’t want to.”
Jaroslav was right. I hadn’t taken Sienna anywhere. She probably didn’t see the point in wearing the expensive outfits on campus when she was focused on her studies.
“Maybe you’re right,”
Jaroslav smirked. “I know I am.”
“And maybe being around the others will help take her mind off things. It’ll be good for her,” Pyotr suggested.
Before I could think of an excuse as to why Sienna wouldn't be able to go shopping, there was a knock on the door.
Marten, being closest, opened it. Kira, Vera, Katya, and Mariya walked in with Alexi and Evie. Marten kissed Kira, and Katya and Vera went straight to their husbands to greet them, before they all made their rounds, hugging everyone.
“Avit, I’ve missed you,” Katya said, pulling back from our hug.
“Give him a break. He’s a married man, still in the honeymoon phase,” Mariya chimed in.
“Lev and I have been married for over four years, and we’re still in our honeymoon phase, thank you very much. Avit needs to stop hogging Sienna all to himself,” Katya said.
“Agreed,” Vera added. “She’s part of this family, and we want to take her shopping. After that, we’re all heading to Marten and Kira’s to get ready.”
“Fine,” I said, “but her mother passed, and yesterday was her birthday. If she seems closed off, I don’t want any of you taking it personally.”
“We won’t,” Mariya said, looping her arm through mine. “Everyone’s allowed bad days. That’s why we lean on family.”
“Well, ladies,” Lev said, “if you plan on shopping and getting ready in time for Ninel’s opening, we need to leave now.”
Katya narrowed her eyes playfully. “Are you saying we take long to get ready?”
“What I’m saying, sweetheart,” Lev replied, “is that I fully respect the process of beauty and perfection, and with five women, I just want to make sure you have enough time.”
Katya kissed him lightly. “Good save, husband.”
Lev smirked.
“Are you going to call Sienna and tell her to get ready?” Kira asked.
“Nope,” I said as we all filed out of the conference room. “If I call, she’ll overthink it and look for a way out. I’ll tell her when we get there.”
“Fair enough,” Kira said.
We walked out of the building chatting about tonight’s gallery opening and the nannies Artyom secured, who would be staying with the kids at the hotel next door under heavy security.
As the others talked, my thoughts drifted to the women wanting to bond with Sienna.
Aside from Mandy at school, she didn’t have many female friends.
The fact that the most important women in my life wanted to embrace her meant more than I wanted to admit, even though trying to bond with her now wasn't something I wanted to happen for fear of my secret being exposed.
In the parking lot, we organized which guards were going with the women. Pyotr volunteered to join them for shopping, a rarity, considering he usually tried to dodge it when he was in charge of taking Ninel before she got married.
And that in itself made me suspicious.
What the hell was he up to?
While the men discussed logistics, I noticed the women grouped together talking. When everything was sorted, Mariya slid into my passenger seat, and the others went with Pyotr.
As I pulled out of the lot, I glanced at her.
“I know there’s a reason you wanted to ride with me…alone. We’ve got about fifteen minutes before we get there.”
“Do you think we’d judge Sienna because she didn’t come from Bratva? Or think she’s a gold digger or something? Is that why you’re keeping her away from us?”
“What?” I stared at her, genuinely shocked. “That never even crossed my mind.”
“Then why keep her at arm’s length?”
“I’m not keeping her away,” I lied smoothly. “She wanted space to finish her studies. That was a part of our agreement when we got married. It matters to her. She earned her scholarship without any real support, and I’m not going to be the reason she loses focus.”
That part, at least, was true.
Mariya nodded. “I get that. And I’m glad she has a husband who actually supports her.”
My stomach twisted at her praise and I pushed it aside.
“But listen,” I said, “Sienna’s conservative with how she dresses. Don’t push her into anything she’s not comfortable with, no matter how cute you ladies think it’ll look. Alright?”
“We won’t. We’ll take good care of her.”
Mariya opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated and looked away. The worried look in her eyes was enough to make me press for more information.
“Mariya, what is it?”
She met my eyes directly. “How much do you know about her past?”
My brows drew together tightly. “What are you talking about?”
“When she was sick, she had nightmares. She never fully woke up, but she kept whimpering…begging not to be hit. Saying it wasn’t her fault. Saying her mother wasn’t weak.”
I swore under my breath.
Jasper.
That fucking piece of shit laid hands on her. She’d told me about the verbal abuse, but this?
I wanted him six fucking feet under.
“She told me things were bad between her and her dad,” I said through clenched teeth, “but I didn’t know it got physical.” I glanced at Mariya. “Keep this between us. I don’t want her embarrassed about it.”
“You know I will.”
We rode the rest of the way in silence. A million ways to kill Jasper without Sienna suspecting it was me ran through my mind.
She didn't want her father dead.
But did he fucking deserve to live?
When we pulled up to the house five minutes later, everyone piled out of the cars, the women laughing as they headed inside.
The second we stepped through the door, all conversation died.
“Is something burning?” Vera asked.
I didn’t answer; I was already moving towards the kitchen.
When I entered, Sienna stood frozen against the counter, arms folded, eyes glazed over, steam billowing from a pan on the stove.
I killed the burner in one motion and yanked the windows open to clear the air. Yet, she still didn’t move.
I touched her shoulder gently.
She jerked, eyes snapping back into focus as she looked up at me.
“A-Avit…you’re home….”
Then her nose wrinkled. “Oh shit…”
She moved toward the stove, but I caught her by the waist and kept her back.
“It’s fine. I turned it off.”
“Thanks.” She lowered her eyes. “Shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright,” I said calmly, but my racing heart was anything but.
I tilted her chin up so she could look me in my eyes. “Want to tell me what had you so far gone?”
Her cheeks flushed instantly, gaze dropping once again to the floor.
Before I could push further, Pyotr’s voice came from the doorway.
“Everything okay in here?”
I turned to him. “It’s all good.”
“Hi, Pyotr. What are you doing here?” Sienna asked, glancing between us.
“Well, sister-in-law,” he said with a grin, “since Avit seems to be hogging all your attention, we thought we’d steal you away for a few hours.”
“We?”
“Yes, we,” Katya said, stepping in with the others. “Today’s Ninel’s gallery opening. Want to go shopping with us first?”
“Shopping?” Her eyes widened. “I don’t have any money.”
Kira linked arms with her. “Of course you do. You have a very rich husband.”
“I-I can’t take Avit’s money,” Sienna stammered, looking at me.
Mariya stepped forward. “Okay, how about this. We never got you a wedding gift. Today, we’ll treat you, and there'll be no need to touch Avit’s money.”
Sienna’s gaze flicked to me, hesitant.
“Do you want to go shopping with them? Then afterwards, you’ll head to Kira’s to get ready for the gallery, and you’ll ride with them there.”
She nodded slowly, then smiled. “I’ll go.”
“Yessssss!” Kira squealed.
“Sienna, word of advice, wear comfortable shoes. This could take a while,” Pyotr teased.
“Whatever,” Katya swatted his arm playfully.
“Ready to go?” Kira asked.
“You don’t mind me looking like this?” Sienna asked, tugging at her hoodie and sweatpants.
“Hell, no. Wear whatever you want. As long as you’re comfortable.”
“Thank you.”
I looked at Kira. “Can I borrow my wife for a minute?”
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Geez, you Bratva men are possessive.”
“That's why we love them,” Katya said dramatically, placing her hand over her heart and batting her eyelashes.
Sienna giggled. It was the first time I’d heard it. It was soft and sweet, sinking into every one of my pores.
As Kira stepped away, I caged Sienna in, hands on either side of her hips, leaning close to whisper in her ear. Her hand clutched my shirt as her breath hitched.
God, I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I pressed my hands against the counter to hold back.
“Remember, don’t tell anyone why we’re really married. And watch what you say around Pyotr, he’s like a damn bloodhound. Got it?”
“I got it,” she whispered, her hot breath on my neck.
An image of her beneath me, whispering against my neck as I drove my cock into her, flashed across my mind.
Fuck. I quickly pushed that thought away, but my mind lingered on her scent as I breathed her in.
Why did she always smell like the ocean? It made me feel…calm…peaceful.
“Are you lovebirds done?” Pyotr called. “We’ve got six hours to shop and get five women ready. We're already at the impossible stage. We need to get going.”
I stepped back. Kira linked arms with Sienna again. “Let’s get some sneakers on you.”
“Have fun,” I smiled.
“Thanks,” she returned it, letting Kira lead her out.
Before Mariya left, I called her back. She walked over as I handed her my card.
“Anything she wants, she gets.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
I sighed. “Take care of my wife today, will you?”
She smiled and squeezed my arm. “You know I will.”
Then she walked out. I pulled out my phone and called Wexler, telling him I needed him to shadow Sienna and the others. By the time I met him outside, Pyotr was talking to Calder, and Tomas and Rocco were already waiting with the rest of the detail.
When Sienna and the women stepped out of the house, she was laughing and chatting like she’d known them her whole life.
Katya came up and hugged me. “Don’t worry, Avit. She’s one of us now. We’ll keep her safe.”
I nodded, watching as they piled into one of the SUVs with Pyotr behind the wheel. Once they pulled out with the guards following behind, I headed back into the house and straight to the office.
I needed to bait Jasper. Put him on a solo run with product he usually skimmed from, then add a few extra boxes on purpose. Enough for him to think someone screwed up. Enough for greed to make him sloppy.
Sienna needed to be free of him sooner rather than later…even if being free of him meant being free of me, too.