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The office door flies open while I’m mid-meeting with Dmitri.
Only one person would dare enter without knocking. Sonya tumbles through the doorway, pushing a box almost as big as her. Straining, she drags it into the room, and I quickly move to help her, leaving Dmitri on the couch. I glimpse a bold green and white logo emblazoned across the side of the box—deluxe baby car seat and stroller.
A smirking Dmitri looks up briefly before returning to his work. I easily take the colossal box away from Sonya and push it into the corner farthest from my desk.
“Indulging in your favorite sport?” I ask her.
My sister spends so much time at the baby store, buying things for her little nephew or niece. I’m untroubled as long as she’s buying it for someone else.
“I helped Paige with her online registry.” Smiling sweetly, Sonya looks around the office. “You won’t have a place to sit when all the gifts arrive for the baby shower.”
So that’s what the women have been up to. I noticed Sonya and Mother a day ago in the kitchen, speaking in excited whispers with the chef.
“I won’t keep the gifts in here,” I state firmly. Dmitri chuckles, and I ignore him. “You can keep them in the ballroom.”
“No, silly,” replies Sonya. “Paige likes to relax in there.” Sonya opens the door. “I’ll find Vanya, and he can help me find a hiding place.”
“No, I will help you,” I reply firmly, blocking her exit. “Paige rarely goes into the dining room. We can keep the door locked.”
Sonya gives me an odd look but says nothing. I retrieve the box and head out into the hallway. Without a fuss, she follows me as we head into the farthest wing of the house, a part of the mansion where history and secrets are stored. She opens the double doors leading into the dining room.
Instead of a bright and airy room, it’s entirely mahogany furnishings, gilded wainscoting, and heavy leather seating. On the walls are paintings of ancestors—portraits of powerful men in the Barinov Bratva. The chandelier flickers and illuminates the long, polished table beneath it. I can still feel my father’s presence in this room when he preached to his top men. As a boy, I concealed myself underneath the table and listened to talk of power, money, and deals struck in the deep hum of voices.
Sonya purses her lips together and places her delicate hands on her hips. “It’s a bit dreary in here for a baby shower. We can hide the gifts here, but we’re definitelynothaving a party in this crypt.”
I nod my agreement. The grand room isn’t as enormous as I remembered it. But I feel each of the ancient portraits watching and judging my decisions with brooding, disapproving stares.
“Where’s Paige’s sister?” Sonya asks, heading for the door. “She can help me pick up the bassinet.”
“No, her sister is confined to the grounds.”
Sonya’s expression reveals her disapproval, but no surprise. “What do you mean by that, Andrushka? She’s Paige’s sister. Why is she confined to the grounds?”
“It’s Bratva business, Sonya.” I tilt my chin, but my authority doesn’t deter her.
“And what exactly am I?” she challenges.
“We haven’t discussed your position in the family since my father’s death,” I reply coolly. “Perhaps it’s time we did.”
Sonya drags one of the ornate chairs away from the table and sits. I do the same. We’ve never had a serious discussion about our family, preferring to keep our interactions lighthearted and almost superficial. I’ve always been the older brother who’s protected her secret and indulged her financially behind my father’s back.
But she will always be my half sister, and by extension, not truly of the Bratva. Her claim is through my mother, and Eva has no claim.
Sonya’s father remains unknown to all of us, save for Eva.
“You weren’t raised in the Bratva, but you are under our protection,” I tell her straight. “Therefore, I am entitled to your respect and Eva’s, and I expect you not to question what I do as far as the Bratva is concerned.”
Her sharp gaze conveys her thoughts better than her words. “In other words, Mother and I are expected to not see anything, hear anything, or say anything.”
I nod. “For all our sakes. Perhaps you and Eva should consider your future plans. Now that Vasily is gone, you could travel together.”
Sonya laughs, shaking her head. “Mother will never leave her first grandchild. So, making us disappear won’t be easy, Andrushka. If you don’t want me involved, then just say so.”
She stares as if daring me to voice my suspicions, but I decide against it. Confirming it would only make her push harder for it.
“Do you consider Paige a member of the Bratva?” she finally asks.
I nod. “She is my wife.”
