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I didn’t even know that was an option. Yakov never explicitly said that we couldn’t leave, but no one has gone anywhere since he brought us back from the safehouse.
“Don’t get your hopes up. She’ll be back later,” she says. “Apparently, she needed to get her nails done, I guess. For what? I have no idea. It’s not like any of us have any plans, God forbid.”
“My hopes weren’t up. I never said I wanted your mom to leave forever.”
“You didn’t have to say it. It was written all over your face when she told you coffee wasn’t good for the baby and made you a mug of hot lemon water instead.”
“I didn’t mind that much. She was just trying to be helpful,” I mumble unconvincingly.
I had to slip Hope a note and have her bring me an iced coffee in my water bottle. Managing my emotions has been hard enough as it is lately. Subtracting caffeine from the equation isn’t going to make it any easier.
Mariya pats my leg. “It’s okay, Luna. Let it all out. This is a safe space.”
I sigh. “She cares a lot about me and the babies. That’s a good thing. I know the two of you have a rough relationship, but I don’t want to do anything to make things more tense right now. Yakov is dealing with enough without needing to referee me and your mom.”
“Do you know what he’s dealing with?” Mariya wonders. “Nik mentioned that they’re teaming up with another Bratva, but he won’t tell me anything else. Those two never tell me anything.”
“Yakov isn’t telling me anything, either.”
It’s the truth, but only because I told Yakov I only want him to tell me what I needed to know.
I saw dried blood on the floor of the shower this morning, so I know he’s been busy. But it’s easier for me to imagine that he sits behind a desk somewhere and places his stamp of approval on plans to rid the earth of his enemies. It’s better than imagining him covered in blood and dodging bullets.
Yakov doesn’t need the added stress of me feuding with his mom, and I don’t need the added stress of worrying that Yakov won’t make it to see our babies come into the world. Not when I’ve made it this far in the pregnancy and have so little left to go.
I trust him not to take on more than he can handle, so I’d rather stay in the dark.
Mariya purses her lips. “I don’t believe you, but I know you aren’t going to tell me anything, either.”
“I’m serious. I really don’t know anything. Between being pregnant and now worrying about the wedding that I assumed was still years away, I’m not trying to add more stress to my plate. Whatever is going on, I’m sure your brothers have it handled.”
“Well, I don’t have anything going on here at home. I’m bored,” she complains. Suddenly, she sits tall and faces me. “Tell me what you need! Give me something to do.”
I shrug. “I don’t need anything. Your mom has been taking care of everything around the house and I doubt Yakov would ever let me leave even if I wanted to.”
“Considering there is a crazy man after you, I’m gonna have to agree. What would you leave the house to do anyway?”
“Well, I haven’t bought anything for the babies yet. I assumed Yakov and I would go somewhere and make a registry, but he has more important things going on right now.”
“He’s preparing for the babies in his own way,” Mariya agrees.
I nod. “A nursery isn’t important if the mansion isn’t even safe for them. I support what he’s doing; I just feel like I’m missing out on some of the fun of being pregnant. I want to buy little outfits and decorate the nursery and do all of the nesting, you know?”
Mariya twists her lips to the side, thinking. Then she jumps up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” I call after her, but she’s already rounding the corner of the pool and jogging inside.
Five minutes later, she presents to me an open laptop in one hand and a platinum credit card in the other.
“What is this? Am I supposed to pick one? Is this like The Matrix?”
“Update your references, please. I’ve never even heard of whatever that is.” Mariya balances the laptop on my knee and plops down next to me. “You and my credit card are going to do some nesting. We’re going to online shop until you drop.”
“No. I can’t take your money, Mariya.”
“Relax.” She waves me off. “The credit card is attached to Yakov’s account. It’s technically for extreme emergencies only, but as soon as Yakov finds out you’re the one spending his money, he won’t care. My brother simps for you like no other.”
“Backdate your references, please. I don’t know what that means.”
