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“Yeah, how does it feel to be my little sister’s artistic inspiration?” Cassio asks, turning his attention to Pyotr.
Pyotr chuckles. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m flattered.”
Since that horrific day in Ilya Popov’s warehouse, Pyotr and my brothers have found an easy rapport. Somehow Pyotr hasn’t maintained any animosity toward them, despite the serious injuries they caused him–including a concussion, a fractured cheekbone, several broken ribs, and five stitches in his thigh, which we found out after I forced him to go to the hospital first thing the next morning.
And their view of my new husband has made a complete one-eighty. It’s an intense relief to know that my brothers are capable of accepting him as much as I love him. Because I’m crazy about Pyotr, and that’s only grown more true over time.
Leaning into his side, I steal a quick kiss, and Pyotr wraps his arm around my shoulders.
Dinner arrives a moment later, each plate laid out in grand fashion, presenting agnello con le olive–a classic Italian lamb dish.
“Before we dig in,” my father says, speaking up for the first time tonight, “I have an announcement.”
The table falls silent, all eyes shifting to the front. I glance around the room to see if anyone might already know what it’s about. But if they do, no one gives it away.
My father stands, looking purposefully at each person around the table. Then, finally, he says, “I’ve decided to officially step down and let Nico take over as the head of our family business.”
My jaw nearly hits the floor. Eyes snapping toward Nico, I look to see if he knew about this beforehand. But my brother’s as composed as ever, making it impossible for me to know for sure.
“When?” Cassio asks after a moment’s silence.
“By the end of the year, I plan to have it fully set in place, but we’ll start the transition next week.” My father settles back into his seat at the head of the table.
For a moment, no one speaks.
Then Ilya Popov raises his glass of wine. “Congratulations,” he says, his Russian accent smooth, his voice deep. “It is not often that men at the head of prominent families like ours make it to retirement age.”
My stomach jumps at the reminder, and I glance sidelong at Pyotr from the corner of my eye. Ilya’s not wrong. His own father died when Ilya was in his early twenties. And Pyotr’s father died when Pyotr was even younger. That’s two of the three families I’m familiar with personally. One of the hardest things to accept about Pyotr’s lifestyle.
The rest of the table raises their glasses in a toast, and I clink my water against their stemmed wine glasses. Then we all settle in to eat. I consider Nico silently as I chew, knowing my brother will be a far stretch from the don my father has been for so long.
I’m proud of Nico and who he’s become–if not an entirely law-abiding citizen, he’s still a good person and a wonderful husband and father. Not to mention the best oldest brother a girl could ever ask for.
I’m happy for him that he’s getting the chance to lead our family. In truth, though I know little about the business of it, I believe Nico will do an incredible job. And with Nico taking over the family, I think our family and Pyotr’s have an even better shot of growing together. Once Pyotr becomespakhan, that is.
So many thrilling new changes in my life, I can hardly keep track of them all. But as I sit at the dinner table and count my blessings, I know I couldn’t ask for a better life. From living a sheltered childhood with my nose in books and a fairy-tale vision of reality, to a year of challenging experiences and intense growth, I feel I’ve finally come into my own as a woman.
And while Pyotr still likes to call me Princess–and I suppose I do fit the bill in some regards–I’ve come to appreciate the reality I live in more than I had ever learned to love those fairy-tale worlds. Because in this life, I get something better than a prince charming.
I get Pyotr.
He’s everything to me. And we’re doing more than just living happily ever after. Because we still have so many adventures to take, a family to grow, and a life to build.
So for us, this is just the beginning.
