Right now, business can wait. Family was always a priority when I was growing up and it will continue to be a priority when my brothers and I have our own families. Today, family time means having lunch with my brothers and enjoying a good meal.
Mikhail’s concern about my personal life sticks in the back of my mind. Maybe I should consider settling down but it’s not a priority yet. Honestly, I think my brothers have a better chance of settling down before me.
I get to the restaurant ahead of my brothers and Boris has made sure our usual table is empty. He always seats us at a table in the back and he never lets us order from the menu. Boris insists the menu food is for regular customers and we are family so we get different meals.
I’m only waiting for a few minutes before Dmitri, Maksim, and Grigory arrive. I guess Boris has been keeping an eye on the dining room since I got here because as soon as my brothers sit down he brings out plates of food for us while his wife, Marina, brings drinks.
“Why the long face brother?” Dmitri asks.
“According to Mikhail, I need to find a wife sooner rather than later,” I tell him, taking a shot of vodka before picking up my fork.
“Oof. I don’t envy you Ivan,” Dmitri responds, letting out a sigh. “However, Mikhail has a point.”
“What woman would put up with you?” Grigory asks jokingly.
“I don’t need a woman right now,” I tell him. “I’ve got abratvato run and you guys to boss around.”
“Right,” my brothers say in unison, drawing out the word while rolling their eyes.
“When I get a woman, you’ll all be the first to know,” I tell them.
I really do love my brothers and will protect them with my life, but I’m not going to get a woman to prove a point to the outside world. If I was trying to do that, I would have married before our father retired to Russia.
I like my peace and quiet but those days may be over now that I’m the one in charge.
CHAPTER FOUR
IVAN
“I’M AT THE mayor’s table for this thing, correct?” I ask Mikhail as I adjust the sleeves of my dress shirt and double-check the cufflinks. Wearing a tuxedo is not my favorite thing in the world, but it’s a necessary evil for this gala I’m attending.
“Yes. He knows you want to speak to him about further development near the new warehouse,” Mikhail replies.
“Good. While I’m gone, have Kolya look into any other properties within a six block radius in each direction of the warehouse. Tell him to acquire what we can immediately, and we’ll deal with the rest tomorrow,” I instruct as we head for the foyer.
“It’s good you’re taking a date tonight,” Mikhail tells me.
“She’s not a date; she’s my sister,” I remind him.
“I’m still your date for the evening,” a feminine voice calls out from the top of the stairs. Mikhail and I turn to see my little sister descending the stairs in an elegant, purple evening gown. I don’t miss the way he looks at her.
“You look beautiful, Lidiya,” I say as I kiss both of her cheeks.
“Thank you,” Lidiya replies with a smile, kissing my cheeks in return.
“Let’s go,” I say while I offer my elbow. My mother made sure my brothers and I knew how to be gentlemen. “Mikhail, you have your instructions for tonight.”
“Yes, boss. Have a good evening,” he replies.
On the way to the gala, I enjoy getting the chance to catch up with my sister; we don’t see her much since she’s usually away at school. But she’s home on spring break which worked out well for her to be my date tonight.
“How is school this year?” I ask her as the car pulls away from the house.
“It’s going good, Ivan. I’m focusing on my portfolio, and there’s a photography internship I’m applying for that could help me get my name out there,” Lidiya explains.
“What about boys?” I ask her, half-jokingly.
“I don’t have time for boys.”
