Chapter 20 #2
“Oh yes,” Leo says with excitement, nearly bouncing on his toes. “We know where to go!”
“Well, aren’t you two just the brightest boys?” Adela practically coos, grinning down at them. “Please, lead the way.”
“Is there a pool here?” Gaia asks, sliding up to Bastian’s side as he begins to lead the way.
“Yes,” I hear my son reply. “There are two of them.”
“Good,” the little Greek princess says with a bob of her head. “Now Katya has to play mermaids with me.”
As their footsteps begin to echo behind us, I arch a brow at my fiancée. “Mermaids, huh?”
This time, she can’t hide her blush. “I’m beholden to her every whim, I’m afraid.”
Chuckling, I nod in understanding. “Bastian and Leo can get me to agree to just about anything, so trust me, I understand.” She laughs lightly, relieved to not feel embarrassed by her going along with sister’s childish games. “You wanted to talk? Do we need to go somewhere private?”
“No, it’s nothing serious,” Katya says, straightening her shoulders. “I only really wanted to check in. I know we’ve been keeping in touch over the phone for planning but…it’s not quite the same as speaking in person.”
“No, it’s not,” I agree.
Talking to her on the phone is a lot easier.
Seeing her face in person makes it much more difficult to focus on anything other than how fucking pretty she is.
I must have truly been so locked in on finding a mother for my kids that I wasn’t knocked off my feet the first time we met.
I was blinded by responsibility and on edge having so many strangers in my house.
But now all I can think about is how I could have glossed over her looks before.
“How have you been? Since everything with your friend—”
“I don’t really want to talk about Chloe,” Katya cuts in quickly, looking flustered.
“Sorry, I just mean…I’m trying not to think about the fact that I’m getting married without the girl I figured would be my maid of honor someday.
I know it may not seem like it, but she really did used to be a good friend.
We had our differences, and she could bulldoze through any boundary without blinking, but I never expected that she would become so… I don’t even know.”
She says she doesn’t want to talk about it, but she just did a whole lot of talking about it.
Still, I won’t argue. I’m sure she does want to talk about her issues with her childhood friend, but I think she means she doesn’t want to ruin her mood or the joy of her wedding by bringing in such a tough subject.
I can’t say I wouldn’t feel exactly the same way.
I wouldn’t want her to bring up Cleo or another dark thing for me to talk about tonight either.
“We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want,” I reply with a nod, making sure to meet her eye so she can see the earnestness in my words.
“Unless a topic needs to be spoken about for our family’s safety, you can always tell me that you’d rather not discuss it.
I’m sure we’ll find things that I’d want to avoid talking about too. ”
“You’re so understanding.” Katya blinks, almost looking surprised.
“I’ve been told by so many people what a good man you are, but it becomes clearer every time we speak.
It’s almost hard to believe, you know? Your family is supposedly made up with good, caring, strong men.
And in our world, that’s a bit of a fairytale idea. ”
“Is it?” I ask, hiding a smile. “Your stepfather is the same, isn’t he? And Ares?”
She winces. “I thought they were exceptions to the rule, to be honest.”
“I’ve found that most made men are just men,” I muse, tilting my head.
“The amount of good to evil all depends on who you surround yourself with. But I understand the sentiment. I’d be more weary of them as well, especially with their lack of consequences.
That’s what makes them more threatening.
They know they can get away with burying bodies.
I often wonder how many men in the normal world only hide their dark desires simply because they’re afraid of being caught. ”
Katya stares at me, before blinking out of her daze. “I find it disturbing how true that probably is.”
“I’m glad you find it unsettling.” Rethinking how that sounds, I further explain, “Not because I wanted to disturb you, but because that means you’re a good person, or at least that you strive to be.
I already figured that out, of course. But it’s nice to be reminded that the woman who’s going to help me raise my sons will instill good values upon them. ”
She softens, putting the hand holding her rose over her heart.
“They’re already so wonderful, Leon. And Bastian was so brave today.
I know that he’s a bit bashful, but he’s also so good at being your heir when he needs to be.
I think he’ll make a great man one day, and maybe even a better Underboss. ”
“I hope so.” I swallow, silently reminding myself that I also lost my mother while young, and that one tragedy won’t hurt him for his entire life.
My boys are strong, even if they shouldn’t have to be yet.
“I can take you up to your room, if you want? It’s right next to Linus and Adela’s suite.
I put all of you on the same floor, to keep you the most comfortable. ”
“Should you really be taking the bride to bed before saying your vows?”
Katya jumps, spinning around with a huff as soon as the question is drawled.
“Stop. Doing. That!” she hisses, lifting her purse to smack the man’s arm with it.
“Isn’t it bad luck to see the bride the night before the wedding?” Ares Gabris asks, lifting his eyebrows while addressing his stepsister. He didn’t flinch when she hit him. In fact, I think it made him smile.
“I think it’s bad luck to give the bride a heart attack the night before her wedding as well,” she retorts hotly.
“And don’t imply that Leon meant anything other than to show me where I’m meant to be.
He’s been a perfect gentleman, and I won’t have you putting words in his mouth simply to entertain yourself. ”
“Someone is feisty today.” Ares chuckles, lifting his hands in mock defense. Looking toward me, he asks, “I’m assuming Nico, Matteo, and Remo are at the lounge bar? Shall I see myself there?”
“Matteo is with his fiancée in their room, but I’m sure if you text him, he’ll come down to say hello.”
“So, Nico and Remo?”
“You know where you’ll find them,” I confirm his suspicions.
Nico almost always needs a drink when he’s surrounded by people, even if those people are family. And Remo feels the need to babysit him so that he doesn’t worry about his twin getting into trouble all night.
“We have dinner in an hour,” Katya tells him quickly as he starts to scurry off.
“I’m sure Father will send someone to find me if I forget.”
“Oh jeez,” she mutters under her breath, watching him swagger toward the elevators. “Sorry about him.”
“Don’t be.” I shrug. “Let’s get you up to your suite so you have time to settle in.”
“Yeah,” she agrees with a breath. “Thank you.”
I should be the one thanking her.