Chapter 28 #2
He pulled away, chuckling as he did. “You might be surprised, my butterfly. One thing you do know for certain. I will never allow you to fly away.”
I not only believed him, I prayed that was the truth.
He was my rock.
My protector.
My heart.
“Keep your eyes closed,” I told him and Nina did her best to stifle a giggle. When Sasha acted as if he was going to peek between his fingers covering his face, I swatted his arm. “Don’t do it or you’ll pay a price.”
His growl was playful and Nina loved it, dancing around in a circle, her little yelps delightful. I still marveled at how well adjusted she seemed after being held hostage for a solid week. At least we’d kept her from the horrors exploding in and around the compound.
I guided him further into her room, placing him exactly where the sun would reflect off the beautiful art. As soon as Nina got into position, I placed my hands over his, slowly lowering them.
“You can look now.”
Sasha slowly opened his eyes one at a time and I could tell by his changing expression it took him a few seconds to comprehend what he was seeing.
“Are you ready?” I asked her.
“Yep.” Nina stood tall and proud and began to read. “Once upon a time in an enchanting land far, far away there lived a prince. He was a very unhappy prince, grieving the loss of his princess.”
As I moved from the first painting she’d created to the second, I caught him leaning forward, gleaning every word she said.
“He believed he would never find love again. He lived his days and nights in darkness.”
Another page.
A slight sigh coming from his throat.
Nina stood proud, our combined words creating a beautiful fairytale. “One day, the prince heard a song, a magical song.”
Another page and he blinked several times.
“The prince was drawn to the music, walking a great distance to find the source.”
My fingers were shaking as I moved to another picture, one that happened to be my favorite. A tear slipped past my lashes and I turned away, fearful I would break the amazing mood.
“Suddenly, the prince noticed a beautiful girl sitting under a huge oak tree. Butterflies were everywhere, birds fluttering in trees listening to the song.”
I couldn’t help myself. I took another peek, noticing his expression was flat as if memories were furrowing inside his mind.
He’d taken another step closer, placing his hand across his heart.
“With her long, dark hair, she appeared a princess and his heart was suddenly beating again.” Nina was so intent, never taking her eyes off her daddy.
As she told the remainder of the story, I struggled to do my part in turning every page so he could capture her incredible works of art.
“The end,” she said, and I could tell she was holding her breath.
The silence in the room was almost too much to bear. I finally found the courage to look into his eyes. I noticed tears, but they were no longer tears of sadness, but ones of joy.
“That was… amazing,” he managed, his chest rising and falling as the salty beads slipped down his rugged cheeks. “You painted all those pictures?”
Nina nodded several times. “And Lainey helped me with the words. We’re going to write children’s books together and I’m going to be the artist.” Her giggle returned and as soon as he threw open his arms, she raced into them.
Just like the princess did in the fairytale.
He nuzzled into her neck and whatever he said to her I couldn’t hear. But her little head continued bobbing up and down. A few seconds later, he eased her down, turning to me.
The tears remained, but he slowly allowed a smile to cross his face. When he gathered me into his arms, I melted just like I’d done so many times before, yet this time was even more special.
As if we were ready for a new beginning.
Together.
As he captured my mouth, holding me tightly against him, I felt the pressures of the rest of the world fading away. There was just the three of us against the evils.
But we would conquer one and all.
That was exactly the way I’d hoped it could be.
“I know something you don’t know. I know something you don’t know.” Nina’s singsong voice brought us down from the clouds. The kiss was broken, but not the magic.
It would thrive and grow through years of love and togetherness.
A girl’s dream could come true after all.
Sasha
“You look pretty dapper there, brother.”
I glared at Vissarian, resisting giving him my middle finger. Now wasn’t the time or the place. That would come later. “Very funny. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
“Yeah, well, you know how my lovely Fallon can be. She insisted I take a shower for the event.” His grin was too damn wide. “She reminded me it’s your birthday party and all.”
“Can we just stop with the birthday shit. It just means I’m getting older.”
“Did someone mention old?” Mikhail said, laughing as he and Bristol walked closer.
“This is wonderful and happy belated birthday,” she said as she gave me a kiss on my cheek. “Where’s Lainey?”
“I don’t know. I think she has something up her sleeve.” I glanced around the ballroom, gritting my teeth. I hadn’t been in charge of this party. My mother and aunt had worked with the girls to make it festive.
Using a freaking ballroom in Ecstasy over a more intimate setting like one of our homes. Maybe they had a point about not wanting a repeat of the shooting gallery.
Alexsey and Kazimir strolled up with drinks in their hands. Why did I have a feeling they needed to talk business prior to the true beginning of the unwanted festivities?
“Uh-oh. I can see where this is going,” Bristol said as she rolled her eyes. “I think I’ll go grab a stiff drink. Somehow, I have a feeling I’m going to need it so I can deal with the entire Dmitriyev boy crew.”
“As if you have any trouble doing that,” Mikhail teased and swatted her on the butt before she could walk away.
“Watch it, buddy.”
We all laughed and I scanned the room until I found Lainey chatting with Halle. She caught my eye and immediately, I was in full arousal. She was so damn beautiful it made my heart ache.
Kazimir followed my line of sight. “She’s perfect for you.”
“I know.” Admitting it was easier than I’d ever thought it could be.
She’d broken down all my defenses. She’d given me a reason to get up in the morning and more enjoyment than I’d felt in as long as I could remember.
“She’s amazing with Nina. They wrote a children’s book together.
You should have seen the pictures my little girl painted.
And the words. Oh, my God, the words were so beautiful.
I can tell the book will be a bestseller. ”
“He’s smitten,” Vissarian said.
“No, he’s hooked.” Mikhail clapped me on the back.
Grumbling, I took a gulp of my drink and slipped my hand into my pocket, rolling the tip of my index finger across the smooth surface of the box. Yeah, maybe I was. “They’re good together.”
“You’re wonderful as a family, Sasha,” Vissarian added. “I’m so happy for all three of you.”
“Wow,” Alexsey said. His shit-eating grin was one that drove me crazy, but nothing was going to ruin tonight. Nothing. “You’re hooked. So when are you popping the question?”
“Shut the hell up. Why don’t you just tell me what you need to tell me,” I suggested. Strongly.
“I heard Nina met her great-aunt the other day.” Alexsey smiled. Nothing was secret in this family.
“She did. It was… pretty special.” I had a feeling Elena’s presence would help bring Selena to life, which was exactly what I wanted for my daughter.
Mikhail shook his head, his smile fading. “Life is getting back to normal. So you know, Liam O’Leary came through with payback of the favor he owed us.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning,” Vissarian interjected. “Our dear departed Uncle Yuri had contacted Tristen O’Shaughnessy years ago. The Irish boys were their eyes and ears. That’s how they were able to put two and two together about Selena and Nina.”
I sucked in my breath. “And exactly what did Liam and his clan do?”
Now Mikhail grinned. “Let’s just say we won’t need to worry about the O’Shaughnessy family any longer.
In turn, Liam and his band of merry men are expanding their business.
They’re going to open a resort with our help.
At the location of the warehouse, since we weren’t certain what to do with the property. ”
“Sounds about right,” Alexsey said.
“Agreed,” Kazimir said, lifting his glass. “What do you say, cuz?”
I thought about the suggestion and laughed. “Well, I guess we’re in the business of creating alliances and extended families. Why not? Here’s to new ventures.” I lifted my glass and while I still had my reservations, I was confident whatever issues we’d face, we would do so accordingly.
As a family.
During the last few weeks, my father and uncle had been more reflective. They’d also taken more time to be around their family. Maybe we’d all learned just how precious life could be, how lucky we were to have a close family. For the good times and for the bad.
But we’d all made one promise to each other.
No more secrets.
Well, I was breaking the rules a bit tonight, but that would be taken care of in a little while.
“Incidentally, I noticed Damien Kane’s public relations firm dropped him.” I couldn’t help grinning.
“So did his management company and I also heard,” Mikhail laughed, “no movie house will work with him.”
“Hurray,” Alexsey chortled. “Abusive pig.”
“He’s being crucified in the press as well.” Maybe I was a little too happy about his recent downturn in popularity. I would never say I was a decent guy. For the most part.
We clinked glasses and suddenly, we heard music. I’d be damned if Lainey wasn’t taking the stage with her acoustic guitar.
“Looks like I’m on,” Alexsey said as he backed away, winking at me.