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“They know who you are?” I ask, looking right at Amelia.
She nods. “Yeah, most people know who we are around here. The Umarova family has been one of the oldest families in the region, honestly. But they know the name for other reasons, and they respect it because of that.”
I understand what she’s saying completely now. “They’ve never seen you with us before, so what Eset said is accurate. Now that you’ve been seen with us, you will be given the same respect that others give us,” Amelia adds.
“I want to get into the thick of it. I’m not really one to beat around the bush, and I’m certain you understand where I’m coming from.” Eset’s being dominant, and there isn’t a doubt in my mind that she’s a total and complete alpha woman. She’s married, so I guarantee her husband is just as dominant as she is, if not more. They’re probably the ultimate power couple.
“All right,” I state, knowing she’s going to say something to me. I just have this gut feeling about it, so I’m anxiously waiting for Eset to speak.
“What in the world is going on with you and my brother?”
It’s been a few days since we had the family dinner, and I very clearly remember Nazyr saying we were “to be determined.” He made it a point to not say we were something but also to not say we weren’t anything.
I feel everyone’s eyes on me, and there’s such pressure on me right now. Everyone wants to know, and I’m not blind to that fact. I’d probably be curious if I was one of them too. “I know you’re all anxious for me to answer, but I’m not sure what to tell you. We haven’t discussed anything, so I’m not even sure.”
Eset smirks slightly, and our drinks are brought to us by the same woman who came over to our table a few minutes ago. She ends up taking our food order, and we all order an array of items. Once she’s out of earshot, the ladies begin speaking to me again.
“Well, I don’t think you two are nothing. That’s for sure,” Emily says, and Amelia immediately nods.
“Yeah, I think Nazyr has some sort of fondness for you.”
Both of them look over to Eset, who nods once. “We’re not blind. We know something is growing between you both, and I’m hoping it continues. Nazyr needs a good woman in his life, and I think you might be a good fit for him. You’ve experienced life. The good and the bad.”
Eset’s gaze moves over to my scars, and she isn’t wrong. Some days I feel like I’ve experienced more of the bad sides of life versus the good ones, but I have to believe there’s some greater meaning in it. I don’t want to think it’s all for nothing… and I can’t think that. I need to think there’s some reason for it all because it was the only thing that kept me going when I was with Duarte.
“Are you missing your daughters?” Emily asks, changing the subject from my possible romantic relationship with Nazyr. It’s nice to know everyone else would support it if we were together.
“I miss them every single day. There isn’t a time when I don’t. I have a hard time knowing they’re still with Duarte.” I shut my eyes so I can keep my tears back because they’re threatening to come to the surface. Whenever I think about my girls, my emotions get the best of me. Most of the time, I’m at least in the privacy of my own room, so I let the tears fall. I know better than to hold them back because they’ll just come out ten times worse.
“What are their names?” Amelia asks.
“Vanina and Ira,” I say, softly smiling as I remember the last time I had my little girls in my arms.
“Did their father give you those?” Amelia questions, and there’s sadness in her voice. She really, truly feels bad for me.
Instead of vocalizing it, I just nod.
Amelia’s expression shifts into a frown, and she shakes her head. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
Chapter Thirteen
Nazyr
I’m supposed to be back home within the hour because Mona is making dinner, but Ruslan called me over to his place. I figured this would be a good opportunity for the two of us to discuss what we’re going to do about Duarte and how we’re going to get the children back. I’ve yet to tell him that I have plans with Mona, but as long as he doesn’t keep me here for very long, I should make it back home in time.
I’m in Ruslan’s office and shutting the door behind me when I hear his distinctive chuckle. I turn my head back and then go to sit in the chair placed on the other side of his desk. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing is funny, but I am happy for you. Amelia came home yesterday and told me that Mona admitted to having feelings for you near the end of their girls’ outing. I hope you feel the same way, brother, though I do have a funny feeling that you do. I’ve seen the way you’ve looked at her lately, and the dinner we all had together not too long ago showed me quite a bit as well.”
“It seems like you have it all figured out,” I joke with him a bit, and he laughs lightly.
“Just a bit.”
I’ve noticed since bringing Mona here, things have been changing for me. Not just the way I feel toward her but the way I’m interacting with my family as well. Part of me thinks I’m distracted a bit with Mona, and because of it, I’m not thinking too much about discovering my paternity. It would make sense to me if that were the case.
“I’m glad you called me over. I want to have a deeper discussion with you about getting Mona’s daughters back.”
Ruslan nods once. “All right, what are you proposing?”
