Chapter 16 - Sienna
A little more than a week flew by with no luck in figuring out who the owner of the location was.
And the longer it took, the more anxious I became. I knew Avit; if I didn’t solve this soon, he’d throw caution to the wind and go check it out himself. This time, he wouldn’t tell me. He’d just leave one morning…and maybe never come back.
The thought made me sick to my stomach, literally.
After Avit gave me back my phone, he’d typed in Wexler’s number, his sisters’ and sisters-in-law’s, and his brothers’.
I had messaged Mariya to tell her I’d found it, since when she asked about getting my number, I told her my phone was misplaced when I moved to Avit's. I was almost instantly added to a group chat called Divas with the other women. I didn’t check in often, since school kept me busy, but they never held it against me, and I appreciated that more than they knew.
It was Saturday, and I didn't have classes today. I’d planned to get some studying done. But the moment I sat up, a wave of dizziness hit me so hard I had to grip the sheets.
Yeah…studying wasn’t happening today.
I managed to freshen up in the bathroom, then crawled right back into bed, exhausted. I was drifting off again when my phone rang. It was Avit.
“Hey,” I answered.
“You missed breakfast with me this morning, Mrs. Safin.”
I blinked at the clock. Crap! It was almost noon. “I’m sorry. I usually don’t oversleep; I only just woke up.”
“No need to apologize,” he said gently. “I’m glad you rested. You’ve been pushing yourself trying to find the owner, but if you don’t slow down, you’ll get sick.”
Too late. I sighed. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.
“What are your plans today, besides studying?” he asked.
“I’ll probably catch up on the hundreds of messages from the ladies’ chat.”
Avit groaned. “You ladies have a chat? And what do you talk about in there?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I teased.
He chuckled. “Actually, no. I value my sanity. I know how those women get when they’re together. And with Katya as the ringleader, I’m sure she’s already sharing some very explicit stuff.”
Just to toy with him, I said, “You’re not half wrong. Did you know the best way to get pregnant is back shot, ass in the air?”
I heard Avit choke, then cough like he was fighting for his life. A muffled voice that sounded like Pyotr asked if he was okay.
“Are you okay?” I asked, sweetly, as I struggled to hold back a laugh.
“Barely,” he rasped, still clearing his throat. Then he teased in a clearer voice. “I see they’re slowly converting you into one of them.”
I giggled, the sound slipping out before I could stop it. I heard Pyotr in the background again, and then Avit came back on the line.
“Hey, I’ve got meetings with my brothers to get to,” he said. “But if you need me, call me. Okay?”
“Okay.”
The line clicked dead, and I sank back against my pillows, smiling despite how awful I felt.
The problem was, I did need Avit. I wanted nothing more than for him to crawl into bed with me and hold me until the dizziness passed. But he already had a full plate, an entire world resting on his shoulders. He didn’t need me adding to it.
So, instead, I messaged Mariya and asked if she wanted to hang out at the house today. She replied immediately, then asked if I’d mind the other women joining. I told her I didn’t mind at all. Within minutes, she said they’d be here in an hour.
Nerves and excitement fluttered in my stomach at the same time. I wanted them to feel welcome, even if I felt like collapsing back into bed. I tugged on jeans, a hoodie, and flip-flops, then went in search of Wexler. I found him in the living room, reading the newspaper.
He stood the moment he saw me.
“Hey, Wexler.”
“Mrs. Safin,” he greeted with a nod.
“I need your help with something.”
“How can I be of assistance?”
“The women are coming over in about an hour, and I’d like to have drinks and snacks ready. But I’ve never hosted anyone before, and I have no idea where to start.”
“Don’t worry about it, ma’am. I’ll take care of everything.”
Relief washed over me. “Thank you.”
He nodded, then walked away, already dialing as he disappeared through the front door. I headed into the kitchen, reheated the bacon and pancakes Wexler had covered in the fridge, and forced down a few bites with some orange juice. It helped a bit with the light-headedness.
Fifty minutes later, I stood at the front window, nervous.
The gates slid open, and a line of black SUVs rolled in, a pink Mercedes between them. Men in black suits and some in tactical gear climbed out, some familiar from Ninel’s art gallery opening. The women spilled out after them, laughing and chatting, and I hurried outside.
Each of them pulled me into a hug before Katya waved over part of the security team.
“Gentlemen, let me officially introduce you to Sienna, Avit’s wife,” Katya announced proudly.
I shook hands as she listed their names—Rocco, Tomas, Ruslan, and Calder.
“We’ll be sharing your number with her in case of emergency,” she added.
The men nodded before returning to the SUVs, and we headed inside together.
“Where are the children?” I asked once we settled in the living room.
“They’re with their fathers,” Vera said with a smile.
“Aren’t they supposed to be in meetings?”
“Oh, they are,” Ninel grinned.
Kira added, “The first three hours are spent bragging about their children. Then the actual meeting starts.”
The women shared chaotic, hilarious tales of the men taking care of the children together, followed by the far more shocking ones: how Vera and Kira first met their husbands, how Ninel, Katya and Vera were kidnapped and they were all forced into marriage…
and how somehow, despite all of that, they were happy, and very much in love with their husbands.
Could that mean…
No. I shut the thought down before it could bloom. Avit wasn’t in my future, and neither were these women, no matter how happy they made me feel. No matter how happy he made me feel.
I was the one who decided that after we found out who my father was selling to, I'd leave. I had no business attaching myself to people who'd never stay in my life.
They welcomed me instantly, when most people in their world would’ve judged me on sight. The bond forming between us was real—unexpected, rare, and something I hadn’t thought I’d ever find in a group this big.
Suddenly, Vera shot up from the sofa and hurried down the hallway toward the bathroom, Kira rushing after her.
The rest of us exchanged looks and waited anxiously until Vera returned. The second she stepped into the living room, Katya blurted out, “Vera, are you pregnant?”
She sank onto the sofa and nodded.
“But aren’t you happy?” Ninel asked. “Why the sad face?”
“Jaroslav doesn’t want another child. Not after everything I went through with Evie.”
“But, Vera,” Kira said, “how have you been hiding this from him? He hasn’t noticed the changes in your body, mood, or health?”
She gave a rueful smile. “All I need to do is dim the lights, and Jaroslav isn't really focused on my mid-section, if you know what I mean. And well…I’m always, always tired…Evie is two…”
“So you’re blaming Evie’s terrible twos?” Mariya asked. “My poor niece is already taking the blame for her younger sibling. Things really never change.”
“Hey!” Ninel tossed a cushion at her, making Mariya laugh.
“Vera, you can’t continue to keep this from Jaroslav. He deserves to know,” Katya said gently.
“I know. I just don’t want him disappointed, especially when we’ve been so careful.”
“Are you kidding?” Ninel scoffed. “Jaroslav will probably brag he got another kid before Lev and Katya. You know it’s impossible to one-up Lev. This might be his only shot.”
Vera finally laughed. “You’ve got a point.” Then she bit her lip and turned to me. “Sienna, do you mind if the guys come over so I can tell everyone? At least in a crowd, he won't take it as badly if he is disappointed.”
“Not at all,” I said. “Maybe we can order out? I’m not much of a cook.”
“And maybe buy another test and give it to him in a gift box,” Kira squealed.
“I’m not giving Jaroslav a stick I peed on. That’s weird and gross. But maybe we can put a few baby items inside the box.”
“Wait,” Mariya said, brow furrowing. “How far along are you?”
“Five months.”
“What?” Kira shot to her feet. “You’ve been pregnant as long as I've been married?”
“Yeah. Well, things got a bit crazy after we got home from your engagement party. And with everything with Anton, I thought it was just stress.”
“Do you know the gender of the baby?” Katya asked, her eyes sparkling.
Vera smiled. “I do.”
Katya stood, grinning widely. “Well, ladies, we have a few hours to pull off the most spectacular gender reveal party!”
Over the next few hours, we put on the radio, danced, chatted, and laughed as we planned the party. Ninel had called the men and told them where we were, so after the meeting, they’d come by.
By the time we were finished, pink and blue balloons covered the living room. A large banner stretched across one wall: Congratulations on your expected bundle.
A table was set with different dishes, and of course, burgers, fries, and pizza for the kids. A portable bar had been wheeled into the corner, stocked with every kind of alcohol imaginable and rows of colorful juices.
By seven o’clock, we heard cars pulling into the yard. Mariya grinned. “Okay, wives, let’s get you in position.”
We lined up in front of the banner. Mariya handed Vera her designated card color and gave the rest of us white slips of paper. We tucked them into our back pockets and waited.
When the men walked into the living room, they froze.
Every single one of them went still, but their facial expressions faltered, eyes widening as they took in the balloons, the food, the banner, and then us.
Then Avit's eyes locked onto mine. His gaze intensified with each second that passed and my heart stumbled.
“Looks like we’ll be having a new addition to the family,” Zahkar chuckled.
“Things have died down in the factions but definitely not in the bedrooms,” Pyotr teased.
“The question is,” Mariya said, her smile mischievous and her tone suspenseful, “which wife is pregnant?”
“Could we cut to the chase already?” Marten added gruffly.
“Ah, Marten, looks like you're eager to join the fatherhood gang,” Yegor patted him on the shoulder.
Marten growled and Kira giggled.
“Zahkar, Yegor, let us unmarried folk head to the bar.”
They each took one of the kids and moved toward the bar as Mariya continued, “Gentlemen, check the back pocket of your wife’s jeans. White paper…you’re in the clear. If not…” she smirked. “Remember, this is a family space. Don’t start anything you can’t finish.”
Katya snapped her fingers. “Drat.”
The women giggled, including me.
“Gentlemen, you may proceed.”
The other men moved to their wives, but I had eyes only for Avit. He stalked toward me, his eyes locked on mine.
When he reached me, he leaned in, whispering, “Hey, angel.”
His hands slid around my waist as mine rested on his chest. Slowly, his hands slid down my lower back until they were on my ass. I bit back a moan. One hand dipped into my pocket and pulled out the paper. He pressed closer to me but didn't say anything, nor did he move.
“You saw it?” I asked, breathless.
“Yes.”
“But you’re not moving away.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, angel, I like having you in my arms.”
He kissed my cheek softly, then shifted to hook an arm around my waist as we all watched Vera and Jaroslav.
He held one blue slip in his hand, the other hand caressing Vera’s face.
Then he kissed her. One of those ‘I don't give a damn who’s looking’ kisses.
Then he dragged Vera out the room, calling behind him, “Avit, guest bedroom?”
“Take the last one all the way to the back of the hallway!” Avit called playfully.
“Damn, good thing she’s already pregnant,” Pyotr joked.
“Now we just need something to mask the noise,” Katya said, turning up the radio, and laughter filled the room.
Avit turned to me. “I see your afternoon was well spent with the women.”
“It was. They're fun to be with.”
“But next time you ladies pull a stunt like this, I think you'll need an ambulance on standby.”
I giggled.
“I swore I saw my life flash before my eyes.”
“Would you have been mad if it were me?” I blurted out.
Before he could answer, my phone rang. I pulled it out.
“I have to take this. I'll be right back,” I said.
He was about to follow when Pyotr approached him. He shot me a weird look, then turned his attention to Avit. I slipped into the office and closed the door.
“What do you want?” I asked my father.
“Hey, sweet pea. How’s my favorite daughter doing?”
“Again…WHAT. DO. YOU. WANT?”
I kept my voice low, careful of cameras in Avit’s office. I’d scrub my phone after the conversation. I didn't want Avit to get the wrong idea about why I couldn't take a call from my father in front of him.
“Have you given more thought to what I said at the café? Mr. Safin is loaded. I’m sure he wouldn’t bat an eye if you asked him for money.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going to do that.”
“Sienna, do you really want to stay married to a killer? A man who couldn’t give you a proper wedding? A man who doesn’t love you?”
“Aren't you the one who used me as damn collateral to save yourself?” I snapped. “And you’d know all about men who don't love their wives, wouldn’t you?”
“Sienna, if you get at least five million from him, we can both be free of this life,” my father urged. “Bits at a time, and after graduation, we leave the US and start fresh.” His voice softened. “It could be a fresh start for us. Something your mother would want.”
I growled. “How dare you use my mother in this? You didn’t care about her when she was dying; you only cared about yourself! You’re selfish and disgusting, and I hate that I’m your daughter.”
If my father hadn’t changed at fifty-five, he never would. My brain knew it; my heart needed to catch up.
“Sweet pea, you’ve got it all wrong. I—”
“Don't call me that! As a matter of fact, don’t call me again. As of today, you’re dead to me.” I hung up, scrubbed my phone, and returned to the living room.
As I stood at the entrance watching Avit dance with Evie in his arms, while he chatted with his brothers, clarity hit me.
Just like the other women, I had fallen for my husband.
Yes, he forced me into marriage, but he’d never treated me badly.
He protected me and cared for me in ways no one else had.
And I’d do anything to protect him from my father, even if it cost me everything.