I nod, my throat tight.
He does.
“I want our families united. Together, we prove a more powerful entity that even Soloto and all his men couldn’t destroy. I know this is putting a target on our backs though. I know we’ll have to be ready for a fallout.”
Rafail nods. “Agreed.”
I smile at him. My heart feels lighter than it has since well before I came here.
I breathe out, the weight of my decision finally lifting from my chest. My family and Rafail’s watch me with a mixture of relief and cautious hope. Finally, the tension begins to dissipate into something… lighter.
New.
Zoya claps her hands, her eyes sparking with excitement. “Then it’s settled! We’ll have a wedding!” Her infectious joy spreads, and for the first time in what feels like a long time… I smile.
“Since we’re all in agreement, then,” I say, turning to my mother. “I believe it’s time to plan awedding.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Polina
Rafail finally bringsout the vodka. The tea was excellent, but it’s time for something much stronger.
We drink shots and try to ease the tension in the room, but it’s been a long, long day. Hell, it’s been a long, long month. My eyes are heavy and my body exhausted.
Still, I sit with my mother and brothers, a part of my soul basking in the balm of our reunion until Rafail finally stands. “You need rest,” he says, his eyes meeting mine across the room.
I swallow hard, and I’m suddenly very, very awake.
“We all do,” Mikhail says, pushing to his feet. “The irony is we aren’t very far from here.”
He shakes hands with Rafail, and something passes between them in the rough palm-to-palm contact, their eyes locked on one another.
“Come for lunch.” Rafail invites him in what sounds almost more like an invitation than a command, which tells me he’s definitely trying. “My men will have more information in the morning.”
“As will mine,” Mikhail says with a nod. “We have connections in Colombia and will know more about the whereabouts of Soloto.” I think all of us, even Zoya and Rodion and Grandfather, are aware of the tenuous hold these two have on peace.
But I’m the one aware of my position at the crux of it all. I’m the linchpin keeping the two families from an all-out feud.
So I walk over to them and place each of my hands on one of their shoulders. “Very good, gentleman,” I say with a smile. “You’re playing nice. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”
I know my family would love if I came back with them. If I let them take care of me and we could catch up on all that’s transpired.
But I belong here now. It’s more than a sense of duty or obligation… this is my home. This is my world now as much as it’s his.
Mikhail gives me a begrudging smile, and as he opens his mouth to speak, I continue.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I look to Rafail. “And Rafail and I have much to discuss.”
I need closure, and so does he. We’ve come to the end of a long battle, dust still rising in the air, our wounded not yet tended to. We have much to attend to.
Mikhail looks at Mom. She smiles sadly and nods, but the line between her brows has softened. I turn to her and squeeze her hand. “Tomorrow,” I remind her gently.
After my family’s gone, Rafail turns to me. “The rest of you get some sleep. Zoya, will you prepare lunch for us?”
“Absolutely,” she says, her eyes shining. “I need to get some groceries.”
“Make a list, and I’ll make sure you have them.” He reaches for me, almost tentatively, as if he’s afraid if he moves too fast, I’ll evaporate. Our fingers meet. It feels like home. I step closer to him as he goes over what he needs Rodion and Semyon to do. “I’m proud of you,” he finishes. “I was proud to have you by my side.”
