JETMIR
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
As I stood in front of my father-in-law, I’m pretty sure he wanted to pull out his gun and shoot me. Thankfully, he resisted the urge.
Anya’s father wasn’t exactly fond of me, and that was the understatement of the century. His continuous glares promised bodily harm if I so much stepped out of line. But I couldn’t be bothered because my wife chose me and not him.
“I will tolerate you,” he grunted, “for my wife’s and daughter’s sake. However, one mistake and—”
“Yeah, yeah, you’ll kill me.”
He gave his head a subtle shake, and muttered Spanish curses under her breath. He also asked God what he did to deserve a son-in-law like me. I was pretty sure he didn’t mean it as a compliment, but I took it as one anyway.
An extra bonus… he referred to me as a son-in-law.
The day just kept on giving.
“I’m assuming your mother knows that Elira is with the Triad,” my father-in-law asked.
I winced, but immediately schooled my features. “No, Sir.”
“Don’t call me ‘Sir.’ It’s too impersonal for my… for Anya’s husband.”
“Are you suggesting I call you… dad?”
“Not in your wildest dreams.”
“Papa then?” He glared at me. “Fine, fine. Just Raphael then.”
“Much better.”
I glanced over at my wife. She stood with her mama by the cliffs, the two hugging each other.
I was glad Anya’s mama came. Kian was right, my wife needed her family and I was a selfish bastard to keep her away from them.
But no more. Yes, she was mine, but I would make sure she had time to spend with them too.
“Anyhow, you should probably call her and inform her of it.” Raphael’s voice pulled my attention back to the matter at hand. “I’m guessing she won’t be happy.”
“No, she won’t be.”
He nodded. “Well, let’s figure out what we need to do to ensure your sister is safe and back, then you can inform your mother. I’m sure she’ll have some recommendations.”
I nodded, and we got to work to ensure our families were protected. Above everything else, that was our priority.
Once we devised our path forward, we shook hands.
“I’m counting on you to inform your mother. I don’t need to be on her shit list, although I’m probably already parked there.”
I nodded.
I didn’t tell him my mother wouldn’t be the problem. She had pretty much left the reins of the business to me. My twin sister, on the other hand, would definitely be a problem..
My instinct warned me that Elira had a reason for wanting to infiltrate the Triad, and it went above and beyond protecting us. Yes, Anya and I were her priority, but there was also something else driving her and knowing Elira, until she handled it, she wouldn’t be returning.
Three hours later, Raphael and his wife had left, and Anya was in the shower. I took the opportunity to call my mother.
We had a good relationship, but it had never been a typical mother-son bond.
Part of that stemmed from her unorthodox childhood, having been raised by Sofia Volkov.
And marriage hadn’t exactly offered her the reprieve she deserved.
My biological father was a narcissistic, abusive bastard who seemed to take pleasure in breaking women.
That included my mother as well, but she was too strong, and came out of it tougher, but also even less emotional.
I settled into the chair behind my desk and dialed her number. Leaning back, I listened to the phone ring.
She answered on the second ring.
“Jetmir, is everything okay? Are you good?”
“Yes, Mother.”
“My intel tells me Raphael found you. I’m going to skin him alive if he hurt you—”
“He didn’t,” I assured her quickly. “In fact, we formed an alliance.”
Silence stretched over the line and then a relieved exhale. “I knew if he got to know you a bit, he’d love you.”
I shifted in my chair uncomfortably. “I wouldn’t say he loves me, Mother, but we’re on the same page finally.”
“Don’t worry, he will come to love you.”
“You think?” I asked, fighting the urge to point out to her she had never told me that she loved me. Elira had never heard those words from her either.
“Yes.” She hesitated for a heartbeat, then continued, “Listen, Jetmir, I know I’m not the best mother out there. I’m not emotional or soft, but I do love you. I don’t say it enough, but…”
She trailed off.
Whatever it was that made her pause, I didn’t have the heart to tell her she had never uttered those words to me.
“I… I don’t know if I ever said those words out loud to you,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “Did I?”
Maybe I should have lied, but that wouldn’t bring us closure.
“You didn’t,” I said slowly, and I hated to say it, because I knew it would hurt her. I took a deep breath in and released it slowly. “But I think I know that you do love Elira and I.”
“I do,” she whispered. “I’d burn this world to the ground and everyone in it if it meant protecting you, Elira, and Amara. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any of you.”
“I love you too.”
It was ironic that it took us all these years to come to this point, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it had all to do with my wife.
She’d opened the door in my heart that had been closed off for years.
In a way, by loving me, she showed me what I was missing.
Yes, I fell for her, but that first wisp of obsession wasn’t anything compared to the freely given love.
“Now, I have to update you on the plan we have with the Santos, and on where Elira currently is,” I said slowly. “And please, Mom, keep an open mind.”
“Okay.”
I steeled myself, making sure my worry for Elira wouldn’t show as I spoke the next words. “Elira has infiltrated the Triad.”
“What?”
“She’s safe.” Fuck, I hated this. I should be the one in danger, not my twin. “We’ll wait for a signal from her before making the next move.”
Silence followed for a heartbeat. “And you’re okay with it?”
Fuck, no.
“Yes. She’s smart and capable,” I said matter-of-factly. “Also, I’ve reached a somewhat uneasy truce with Raphael Santos, and he’ll assist in taking down the Triad.”
“Wow, you’ve been busy,” she breathed.
The door to my office opened and Anya came into view.
“Busy?” she mouthed.
“Mom’s on the phone,” I mouthed the answer back. She turned to leave when I added, “Stay.”
She leaned against the doorway, watching me with a soft smile and I fought the urge to go to her. I wanted to kiss her senseless, then take her to our bedroom and make long, sweet love to her.
But there would be time for that, because we had our whole lives ahead of us.