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I sit on the edge of the bed so he can wrap an arm around me. “You bet.”
The door opens. It’s Sasha, and his face splits into a broad grin as he takes in the scene.
“I knew you’d make it,” he says. “Talk about a will to live!”
Arman kisses my forehead. “I got things to live for.”
“You’ll be pleased to know that Oleg is beyond furious.” Sasha sits beside Morgana, frowning as Steffie launches herself into his lap. “Oww, watch it! A little bird told me Sissi Barone lost his nerve and blabbed, scared it would come out another way and he’d be on the shit list. He and Timur were originally planning to set up the Morettis, but he went rogue when Timur found out who Arman was to him. Fucking headcase, that guy.”
“What’ll happen to Sissi?” Arman asks.
“It’s up to the mafia commission,” Vlad replies, “and if they ask for my opinion, I’d be inclined to have the stupid asshole murdered, but it’s their call. The Morettis are in the clear; as far as I’m concerned, Aldo started this bullshit, but I’ll concede it got out of hand. We’ll make amends informally, but there will be no groveling.”
I love Vlad so much. This is why he’s in charge; even when injured, he bows to no one.
“So, Arman.” Vlad turns to face him. “I’m gonna be compromised for a while. Sasha told me you were ready to take over if I didn’t make it—how about now?”
“Permanently?” Arman asks, surprised. “What will you do?”
“Let’s keep it open-ended.” Vlad shrugs. “I gotta see whether you can do the job before I make any long-term decisions. Maybe we’ll buck tradition and run things together for a while. Whaddayasay?”
“You got it,” Arman says, and the two men shake hands. “But I gotta make a request.” Vlad looks inquiringly at him, and he strokes my arm. “Let me take my wife on honeymoon.”
“Of course.” Vlad stands, ignoring Morgana’s admonishments. “Enough, lisichka. I need to get my blood moving. Now, how many of us have to almost die to get some lunch around here?”
48
Two weeks later…
Arman
Icouldn’t believe it when Lilyana told me she’d never been to Carnegie Hall, so it’s my pleasure to bring her here tonight. We’re attending an invitation-only concert, and she doesn’t know who will be performing, but I do.
“You love surprising me, don’t you?” she asks, pulling her pashmina around her shoulders. “It doesn’t even matter who’s playing; I’m too excited to be here to care. But it must be someone amazing, or you’d just tell me, so now I’m intrigued!”
People stream past us on both sides, going up the steps, but Lilyana doesn’t balk. She hasn’t panicked in a crowded place since the whole mess with Timur was over and done with. It’s like she dug deep and found the person she was before fear and neuroses got hold of her, and she can hold her head up high. No longer will she only stand her ground for the sake of others. She does it for herself, and it warms my soul.
Still, this evening is a Hell of a gamble. If I’d broached the possibility to her ahead of time, she’d have refused—she’s not that confident—but her graduation from Juilliard came and went, and after that, she had nothing planned. She may lose momentum and let her dreams go cold if she doesn’t roll the dice.
I can’t let that happen. If she’s angry at me for what I’ve done, so be it, but words only take us so far. Actions count.
Inside, the place is packed. Lilyana looks at me questioningly as I point out our seats.
“Front row? Whoever it is, I’ll be able to see them perfectly.” She smiles as she sees who else is occupying our row. “Well, look at this. It’s a family outing.”
Vlad and Morgana sit side by side, with Sasha and Josie next. Heidi is in her spot at the end, and she gives us a wave.
“Why are you here?” Lilyana asks. “Weren’t you supposed to be on another date?”
“Yep.” Heidi grins. “With Professor Savilla.”
“No.” Lilyana puts her palm on her chest. “And you thought he was just flirting! Don’t tell me you canceled on him.”
“No, I blew him, and not off. I said what I meant.”
Lilyana’s eyebrows shoot into her hairline, but the house lights go down before she can enquire further. “To be continued,” she says to Heidi. “I wanna know all about it later.”
“Sit, sit,” Josie says, patting the seat beside her. “It’s about to begin, and I can’t wait to see the look on your face.”
