Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
TWO WEEKS LATER
Being back home in New York with Addison has been incredible. We’ve settled into a routine. We’ve both started studying different courses online. During the day, we study and fool around. At night, we fool around more. She still has her own room, but she hasn’t slept in it since we returned.
“Stop,” Addison hisses at me. We’re sitting in one of the living rooms, where she insisted we study today because she’s claiming we’re not studying enough when we’re closed in a bedroom together.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve noticed Addison become lighter, more at ease. Especially when it’s just the two of us together. I have fallen more and more in love with her every single day. I’ve also hated myself for not following my dad’s advice and chasing after her when she left.
“Hey, I need you to go and run an errand with your brother,” Dad says, popping his head into the room.
I look at Addison and then back at my father. “What kind of errand?” I ask him in Russian.
“The kind where your depravity will be useful,” Dad replies, also in Russian, before looking to Addison. “You want to come and sit in my office to study while Lex is gone?”
“Um, are you sure? It won’t be for long. Mabilia is stopping by to see me,” Addison says.
My head turns to her. “Since when?”
“Since she messaged me this morning.”
“You didn’t tell me.”
“I didn’t know I had to,” Addison retorts.
“My sister isn’t the type of friend you need,” I groan. My sister is fucking insane and always finding herself in trouble.
“Well, she says she’s my sister now and we need to do sisterly things,” Addison huffs.
“Lex, Mabilia is perfect. Stop trying to scare the girl,” Dad says. “Come in when you’re ready, Addison.”
“Thanks, Mikhail.” Addison smiles at my dad. It’s still fucking weird when she calls him that. “Do you really not want me to be friends with your sister?” she asks me.
“No, yes. I mean, she’s just… she’s always in trouble. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Trust me, I will always steer clear of trouble, Lex,” Addi assures me.
“Mabilia is more than capable of handling herself. She once took down three mobsters on her own,” I say. “If you are ever out with her, she’ll keep you safe, Addi. I would just prefer I was always with you.”
“Maybe I should learn to take care of myself,” she suggests. “I mean, I’m marrying into the mafia, right? I should at the very least know how to use a gun.”
“You don’t know how to shoot?” I ask, mortified. Why have I not thought of that already?
“I’ve never had a reason to.”
“Okay. I’m going to teach you. Everything. But right now, I do need to go and see what my brother needs help with.”
“Whatever it is you’re doing, be safe.” Addison picks up her books and stands. “I’m going to go talk to your dad.”
After hours of torturing some fucker for information, I snuck in, took a shower in one of the guest bathrooms, and then walked through the entire house looking for Addison. I can’t find anyone.
I have to give it to the guy. He held on longer than I thought he would. It was Addison’s suggestion of adding nails to the bat that finally broke him.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I dial her number. “Hey,” she answers on the second ring.
“Where are you?”
“Well, I’m good. Thanks for asking, Lex,” she says.
“Addison, where are you?”
“Where are you?” she counters.
“At home, looking for you, and you’re not here.”
“Oh, Mabilia wanted to go out for lunch,” she says.
“And you went with her?” I ask, shocked.
“Ah, yeah.”
“Where?”
“We went to some sushi train she loves. It was really good.”
“I know the place. I’m on my way,” I tell her.
“Oh, we’re not there now.”
“Where are you now?”
“Tommy’s bar.”
“You’re at a bar?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Are you drinking?”
“No. Tommy has a thing about serving minors,” Addi says.
Thank fuck. “Is my sister with you?”
“Right next to me.”
“Give her the phone for a second.”
“Lex!” Mabilia singsongs. She knows I’m pissed. It’s not that I don’t want Addison going out and having fun. I just would rather be the one doing it with her. I also don’t want her to feel obligated to tag along with my sister’s ideas.
“Mabilia, I swear to god, if a single hair on Addison’s head is hurt, I will fuck up that pretty little husband of yours!” I yell as I walk out of the house.
“First, you wouldn’t. Second, she’s a big girl, Lex. You’re not her keeper,” Mabilia says. “And third, you don’t own her.”
“She’s mine,” I growl. “I mean it, Mabilia. Do not leave her fucking side for even a second.”
“I haven’t,” she says, sounding exasperated. “I know she’s important to you, Lex. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Where are you running out to?” my father asks, as he walks up to the front door I just exited.
“Mabilia took Addison to Tommy’s bar.”
“Don’t fuck up his bar, Lex. It’s not his fault you have issues.”
“I don’t have issues.”
“Yeah, you do. Let the girl have fun.”
“With Mabilia? Anything could happen.”
“You can’t keep her in a bubble,” Dad says.
“I know that.” I really do need to enroll her in a self-defense class… and teach her how to use weapons.
“When you get there, don’t drag her out right away. Sit your ass down at the bar, have a drink, and let her have fun.”
“Tommy doesn’t serve minors,” I remind my father.
“You’re a fucking Petrov. You don’t need anyone to serve you,” Dad grunts before walking inside.
Once I’m in the car, I call my brother. Neo answers with an annoyed grunt. “What?”
“Wanna come fuck with Tommy?” I ask.
“Always. Where?”
“His bar. Mabilia took Addison for a visit.”
“Meet you there.” Neo hangs up on me. Asshole.
But I know he’ll come to the bar. If not to help me fuck with Tommy, he’ll come to make sure I don’t do anything impulsive, like destroy my brother-in-law’s business again.