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Besides, just because Nikolai showed a glimmer of concern doesn’t mean shit.
“Ugh,” I huff as we walk toward the stairs. “For that man’s abs, I’ll leave my family.”
Aurora gives me a shocked look. “Really?”
I chuckle at her reaction. “Not really, but let me have my fantasy.”
Yeah, that’s all it will ever be. Just a far-fetched fantasy.
Refusing to let my problems get me down, I focus on the glorious weekend of rest and zero training I get to enjoy for the next two days.
Chapter 7
Nikolai
After flying to my family’s island off the coast of Finland, I walk toward my parents’ house to greet them.
The island is protected with state-of-the-art security, and the four houses are surrounded by woods. Besides my parents and grandparents, Inna, her husband, and their children also live here. My house is right on the edge of the woods and the farthest from the main house.
Whoever tries to attack the island is on a suicide mission. The perimeters have never been breached.
I only make it to the steps before I hear Grandma yell, “Winter, Nikolai is home!”
A smile spreads over my face, and stepping through the front door, it’s to see my mother come flying down the stairs.
Happiness shines from her as she captures me in a hug. “Ahh, my baby. I’ve missed you.”
I press a kiss to her flaming red hair. “I missed you too.”
Christ, I’ve traveled the world, but there’s no place like home. It’s the only place I can let my guard down.
“Is Nikolai here?” my father calls from upstairs.
“Yes, get your ass down here,” Mom shouts. Her eyes flit over every inch of my body before she smiles up at me. “Are you only here for the weekend?”
I nod and glance at the stairs as my father comes down them. Even though my mother is Irish with fair skin, red hair, and green eyes, I’m the spitting image of my father. Inna got Mom’s eyes.
I take my father’s hand, and as we shake, I give him a hug. “St. Monarch’s will drive me insane. I needed some time with my family,” I say before Grandma comes out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
I hug the woman who helped raise me, then ask, “Where’s Grandpa?”
“He’s doing his rounds with the guards,” Grandma answers.
I let out a chuckle. “He’ll never stop working.”
“You’re in time for dinner,” Mom says as she hooks her arm through mine.
Even though my parents are ruthless criminals, I’ve never known a day where my sister and I weren’t unconditionally loved.
I hit the jackpot with my family.
“How are things at St. Monarch’s?” Dad asks. “Whenever I call Carson, he’s busy with something.”
I let out a sigh as I shake my head. “With Sartori and D’Angelo sending their daughters for training, it’s stirred things up. The three bratva enforcers are constantly fighting with the yakuza trainees. I’m so fucking glad I never had children.”
Mom lets out a burst of laughter. “You’ll sing a different song once you’re holding your firstborn in your arms.”
She still has hope that I’ll marry and have kids. Avoiding the subject, I say, “Uncle Carson says he’ll find a replacement in the next two months. Then I’ll be able to focus on the business.”
