I love you, my Lev, my lion.
Love you, your Papa.
The emotions are choking me; my throat feels like it's closing up. I gasp for air, and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply. I'm pissed, frustrated, and sad that Pakhan didn't trust me enough to tell me about my Brats. But he wanted to protect us by keeping us apart and hidden away.
It doesn't matter, it still hurts.
Fucking hell!
I fold the letter and place it inside the file, my Brats file. I'm going to review my Brats files before contacting them. That's the first thing I'm going to do. But first, I need to eat and sleep.
I rub my chest, grind my molars, and inhale deeply, closing my eyes. I need to get past this hurt and embrace the fact that I have two Brats.
I walk out of the safe room and out of the closet. I run my hands through my wet hair and grab my cell phone from the bed. Thank fuck this is my home, and it feels good being here.
I exit my room to get some food and tell Ivan that I need to talk to my Brats and Brigadier Varkov. I plan to watch Varkov for a few days until I'm satisfied that he's not part of the coup. Then, I'll approach him.
It's late, and I grab my cell phone. I look at the cell numbers on the pc and slide my fingers over the screen. I type the text message to my brats.
Lev ~ Hey, we need to talk tonight.
I look at my screen, and it pleases me that they're on it. I stare at the little dots dancing on the screen, nodding. My Brats are responding.
Czar ~ Indeed. Where and time?
Anatoly ~ Will do.
Lev ~ My apartment in thirty.
Czar ~ Will be there.
Anatoly ~ Ok.
Lev ~ Take an Uber, walk into the parking garage, and text me at the curb. I'll send Ivan down.
Czar ~ Will do.
I walk out of my bedroom and walk into the living room. Ivan is looking out the big glass window into the city, holding a glass of Vodka. It's an amazing sight.
"My Brats will be here in thirty."
Ivan turns, gathers his brows, shaking his head.
"Der'mo, that's not a great idea. You don't know them, and you're bringing them here to the safe house," Ivan grunts, shaking his head.
"Da. They're my Brats, and Pakhan told me to trust them. I want you to play nice and not be a suka.”
Ivan rolls his eyes and takes a drink of Vodka. I cross my arms, looking at him.
"Are you sure that you want to meet them before scouting them?"
"Da, they're my Brats."
"But you don't know them."
"I do know them. Pakhan told me everything I need to know about them."
"I don't agree for us just to trust them. I think it's a mistake to allow them to come here."
