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“Do you really think you have a choice?”
“There’s always a choice. It’s not my fault you made the wrong choice,” I tell her before jerking my arm out of her hand and storming the rest of the way up the stairs and into my room. Of course, I slam the door behind me.
Immediately, I put a plan into place to get the hell out of here. Without thinking, I grab the cash I have on hand, which is about nine hundred dollars, and put it into my back pocket. I dump my purse on the bed, leaving behind a wallet full of credit cards and my cell phone. I take my ID, social security card, and my passport. After filling a small bag with clothes and essentials, I leave the house. I feel terrible for leaving my sister behind, but she doesn’t know anything yet. She should be fine. A taxi ride later, I am at the bus station. The small town of Bleak Minnesota seems far enough away from New York to start a new life.
Chapter One
Anatoli
Two Weeks Later
This was supposed to be a trip for me to bond with the man who is going to be my brother-in-law if my sister says ‘yes’ to his proposal. When she was kidnapped, and my parents murdered, I thought my life was falling apart. Of course, I knew who did it, but without proof and a lead, I was flying blind, which is how I came to meet the Jorgensens and how Danhy Jorgensen met my sister. Over the last few months, I have been in awe of this family from the moment I sent them the case until now. They are not only close, but they love hard. The day they told me my sister Zoya had been found, I felt like the clouds were parting.
Now, here I am in this jewelry store, staring at the most beautiful young lady I have ever seen. She stands behind the counter, talking to Danhy, her beautiful dark hair, a stark contrast against her pale skin. As she smiles at him, I see the pink in her cheeks, not because they are flirting, but I recognize it is the awareness she has of my gaze on her if her quick glances at me are the truth. She looks like she should be a princess. Petite and delicate but worth more than any jewel. “Here you go,” she says, handing him the box with a ring in it. I break our connection for a moment to tell him how happy I am and how much I think my sister will love the ring. I watch as he walks out the door before turning back to my raven-haired beauty. “Finally, alone,” I say to her as I lean on the counter. I see her name tag says Nikole, and though it is a common moniker, the spelling tells me that she is from Europe. It’s reminiscent of the girl's name back home. ‘K’s’ are very prevalent in Russia.
“Are you looking to purchase something, Mister…”
“Babichev,” I say, extending my hand to her. Her eyes widen as she takes my hand.
“Babichev? ?? ?? ???????” she lights up as she asks me if I am from Russia.
“??,” I answer her in the affirmative. “??? Are you?”
“???. ??? ???? ?? ??????.” When she tells me her father is from Kazan, I understand why she speaks the native tongue. Though she was not raised there, people from the heart of Russkiya do not forsake their native language to assimilate.
“????????.” She blushes when I call her beautiful, and everything in me awakens. Jesus. This girl is a dream. You will come to dinner with me, no?” I know I end it with a question, but it is the way of our people. The men phrase it in such a way that the possessiveness we feel we try to mask in the beginning, but when she bites her lip, I know she can read between the lines. There was no choice.
“Um… I guess.” She quickly looks down. I find I want her uniquely green eyes on me. Something about the way they bore into me makes me feel seen and alive.
“I promise I won’t bite...at first, ????????? ?????????.” her eyes lower as I call her my little princess. “I’m sorry, it slipped. This time.” I tell her, touching her hair.
“It’s ok. Um, I need to finish closing up the shop.” She tries to move away from me, but I haven't let go of the strand of hair in my hand. Something about walking away from her feels wrong, and though I am sure she has been doing this for weeks before now, I can’t bring myself to let her finish up this night alone.
“Yes. You go and close up. I will wait here for you, little princess. Do you live far from here?”
