Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Matteo
Ilearn a lot about Anya Morozov over the next couple of days.
Her favorite colors are purple and white.
Her favorite food is chicken parmesan (score one for the Italians).
She reads more than she watches TV, mostly historical fiction novels (I knew she was smart).
She never drinks coffee because it tastes disgusting (heavily disagree on that front) and she avoids caffeine in general.
She occasionally drinks herbal tea with honey if she’s in the mood, or feeling like she might be catching a cold.
And most importantly, if she were an animal, she thinks she would be a snow leopard. Her reasoning being that the big mountain cats are antisocial and can handle low temperatures—and as a Russian, she can relate.
It took a bit of coaxing for her to pick an animal, and I had to tell her my answer first for her to share hers.
Mine being a spotted hyena, of course. They giggle as a way of communicating with their clan, and I personally identify with that.
I also use humor to communicate, and laughter is my specialty.
There have been many other questions asked and answered, but some of my favorites are the most silly and irrelevant ones. It’s fun to see her struggle to answer something so seemingly pointless and still coming up with a great answer nevertheless.
Her superpower of choice? Teleportation.
Her least favorite food? Caviar.
Where would she most like to vacation? Somewhere close to home. (I tried to make a case for Italy, but she seems skeptical. I’ll keep working on that.)
Sport she’d never like to try? Ice hockey (too much fighting).
Favorite cheese? Gouda.
Favorite holiday? Christmas.
I could go on and on. For some reason, I have every answer locked in my brain like I’m studying for a quiz in Anyanomics.
The more I get to know her, the more I wish that we’d met sooner.
I mean, the twins are thirteen months old now.
Her brothers have been in my life for well over a year at this point.
Logically, I know that she likely wouldn’t have wanted to meet me any sooner.
But I also know that has more to deal with her mental health and healing than it has to do with me personally.
She never mentions her brothers, and they’re her blood.
I can’t imagine she would have been open to developing a friendship with a stranger any sooner.
I think the timing of the wedding was probably quite perfect in that regard.
Anya
What are you up to tonight?
I smile down at her message. We didn’t get to talk much today since she had a couple of doctor’s appointments back to back, including her weekly two-hour therapy session. I didn’t mind, but I did find myself itching to message her even when I knew she couldn’t respond.
I was developing a concerning attachment to our conversations, but I blamed it on my clingy nature. When I discovered something I liked, I typically became easily obsessed with it.
Matteo
Family dinner. It’s going to be a disaster, I can’t wait.
Anya
Why is it going to be a disaster and why do you sound excited about that?
Matteo
Dad invited Rayna to come over!
I filled her in on Apollo’s little Todorov situation, telling her in great detail how much the woman seems to dislike my eldest brother.
I’ve come to enjoy Yordan’s presence in the house, but this will be the first time that his older sister comes over as well.
Elio, Apollo, and Leon have all gone over to their apartment, but she’s made no move to get to know the rest of the family.
I’m only mildly offended by her disinterest in the family. I mean, I’m here. Doesn’t she know what she’s missing out on?
Matteo
I hope a fight breaks out, honestly. Things have been far too domestically perfect around here lately and I’m dying for a bit of drama.
Anya
You want a fight to break out at family dinner?
Matteo
I mean, maybe not for fists to be thrown. But a little squabble? Could be fun to watch. I like conflict when I’m not involved in it.
Matteo
This one time Armani almost got into it with Javier Cabrera at Empire because we thought he was trying to marry Jade and he was her teacher. I was so disappointed that Jade told me to get in between them. It would have been a sickkkk fight.
Anya
I don’t even know what to say to that lol. I’ve never really found fights entertaining.
I can see that.
That makes sense for her. Anya seems to like nice, soft things. Fighting is loud and intense. I doubt it would scare her to witness, but she wouldn’t enjoy it either.
Matteo
I’m sure nothing will actually happen anyway. I’ll keep you updated though! People are starting to show up.
Anya
You don’t have to keep me updated if you’re busy. Your family is big, it might be hard to text.
Solid point, even if I wish it weren’t true.
Matteo
A debrief after the fact then!
Matteo
How were your appointments?
Anya goes on to tell me in very little detail about her day. It was a good one and that’s all I really need to know anyway. Our texts trickle down as the house fills up with people, and if I weren’t so hungry, I might be more upset about it.
I get settled into my seat at dinner before almost anyone else, making my plate before Cesar is put in my lap.
I don’t mind sharing my spot with the kid, or helping him eat his little bites, but I like to have my food settled before I do.
If I don’t have it prepared ahead of time, he’ll sneak his slobber-covered fingers into my potatoes while I’m not looking.
Cutest menace around, this kid.
The beginning of the meal is relatively quiet, everyone seemingly as hungry as I am. We’re all digging in, only small exchanges of conversation happening sporadically around us. My giggly little nephew is the loudest of the bunch, and that’s a feat even for him.
Cesar is still babbling at me eagerly when the sound of a glass chiming signals for the table to quiet down. Being the overly curious baby that he is, even Cesar stops talking to find the noise and figure out what it means.
Emilio’s wife Melani stands up, smiling while holding up her wine. “I don’t want to interrupt the conversations for too long, it’s so rare for all of us to be here together.”
Next to me, Jade calls out in agreement. “Too rare!”
Melani laughs, nodding toward her. “Exactly. I only wanted to announce that the latest charity ball Emilio and I hosted met our incredible goal last night, in large part due to Dante. Hundreds of struggling women in the city will have assistance and housing for the next five years, and I’m so grateful for being able to be a part of this generous family. ”
The table breaks out into a polite round of applause, Cesar echoing the shared sentiment by banging his hands on the table. I chuckle, catching his fists before they can break something or get hurt.
From the corner of my eye, I see Rayna gulping down the rest of her wine, and look around to see if anyone notices. No one does.
“We should collaborate on something for the orphanage next,” Ana suggests, stealing my attention away again. “I know you love doing women’s charities lately but there’s plenty of young boys and girls who could use a killer fundraiser this year.”
“That’s a lovely idea,” Melani tells her, nodding with a long look in her eyes like she’s already thinking of ideas. “Emilio has always said that Morettis care about women and children above all else.”
A doubtful snort comes from Rayna and my eyes widen. Everyone notices her now, and tension rises like a visible wave, floating around the family.
Melani drops down back into her seat, glaring as she does. Her perfectly polite personality seems to go icy in an instant. “Care to comment?”
“You don’t want to hear anything I have to say, trust me.”
Ohhhh, shit.
Did I do this?
Did I manifest this by telling Anya some drama at dinner would be fun?
Catching myself smiling, I smother it and clear my throat quietly to shake it off. I should not be excited about what’s happening. Picking up my short tumbler filled with a whiskey cocktail, I raise it to my lips to hide.
“Try me.” Melani arches a brow at Rayna, looking a bit too angry before anything has even truly been said. “I doubt you have anything too brutal to say toward the family that’s given you so much.”
Oh fuck.
“Melani,” Jade gasps at the rude words, completely surprised by our sister-in-law’s abrupt change in tone.
“Be careful,” Apollo warns, his voice going all Capo.
Rayna isn’t thrown by the comment, if anything, it seems to fuel her. “The last I checked, Apollo is the only one who’s given us anything. If you’re looking for a thank you, you should look elsewhere.”
Melani practically seethes. “Do we have a problem?”
“Girl fight,” I whisper, chuckling into my glass.
Whoops, that was an inside thought.
Jade smacks my stomach with the back of her hand and hisses, “Don’t goad!”
“I couldn’t help it,” I whisper back.
I can’t believe Cesar hasn’t shouted something in his babbling voice to break up this tension yet, but he seems just as invested as I am.
Little menace.
“If there’s something you’d like to say, Rayna, we’re here to listen,” Dad suddenly cuts in. I can’t read the expression on his face, but he certainly doesn’t look as mad as either of the girls. “Any complaints are welcome, we’re a reasonable family.”
Melani scoffs. “What could she have to complain about? From where I’m sitting, she looks like she’s got it made.”
“Melani,” Jade says again, almost firmer this time.
I don’t blame her for being so shocked. Jade has never seen Melani’s ruthless side. I don’t think many people have.
“You want to know my complaint? Fine,” Rayna says, voice hard as she glares across the table, gaze unwavering. “You all think you’re God’s gift to women.”
My eyes widen, hearing the disdain in those words.