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“Oh. In that case, you and I should go shopping together some time, Nikolai.” She grinned at the Russian’s look of disgust for the idea. “Or we could make it coffee until you feel more comfortable going into ladies’ clothing shops.”
“I already do that if Daisy requests my presence,” he drawled. “But you and I will not be having that type of friendship. Although I am sure Daisy might enjoy the shopping and coffee, if you would care to make that same offer to her.”
Darius could see the bewilderment in Mia’s expression. A surprise he also felt to a certain extent. As far as he was aware, Nikolai didn’t go around issuing invitations for anyone to get close to the family he protected with his life.
He could perhaps guess as to why Nikolai was choosing to make Mia the exception.
The Russian made no secret of having survived for years living on the streets of Moscow before coming to England. Or the years since of having to prove himself, first to Dimitri Markovic, and now as second to his son, Gregori.
Darius believed Nikolai felt an affinity with Mia’s orphaned state.
“I will have Daisy call you,” Nikolai continued. “But in the meantime, buy Mia some clothes that fit her,” he instructed Darius impatiently. “I’m sure it satisfies some latent Neanderthal gene inside you to see her wearing your clothes,” he taunted, which made all the other men in the room chuckle. “But she shouldn’t receive visitors dressed like that.”
Darius placed his arm about Mia’s shoulders. “We aren’t expecting any visitors.”
“You may not be, but Mia should.”
“Not for a couple of days, hm?” Darius all but pleaded.
Pale gray eyes glistened with humor. “Not for a couple of days,” he conceded.
“I can always meet Daisy at a coffee shop in town,” Mia offered. “If she does decide she’d like to meet with me, that is,” she added uncertainly.
Nikolai nodded. “She’ll want to meet you. The children too. Gregori’s wife, Gaia, and their children might also like to join you. Do you like children?”
“Of course.”
“You wish to have some of your own?”
Her lashes lowered. “Eventually, yes.”
Nikolai glanced at Darius. “Good.”
Darius could see that having the Russian discuss her future children was causing Mia to become more and more bewildered and overwhelmed after already receiving the unexpected offer of friendship from the Russian and his family.
Who could blame her?
Mia had gone from knowing she had always been alone in the world to now having all of the Kingston family as her own. Now there was an offer of friendship from a powerful member of the bratva and his wife and children. There was also the possibility of a friendship with the wife and children of the head of the Russian bratva.
She also had Darius.
Forever, if she would have him.
Which was why the two of them needed to have that conversation sooner rather than later.
* * *
Mia was still standing in the sitting room when Darius returned from ushering his family and Nikolai into the elevator, followed by the sound of it descending.
Finally leaving the two of them alone.
Darius looked at her searchingly. “Shall we have that talk now?” he prompted.
Mia lowered her lashes shyly. “Don’t feel you have to.”
“I want to,” he stated firmly before taking her in his arms. “Mia, I know we’ve only known each other a few days…”
“But it’s been a very eventful and life-changing few days,” she put in ruefully, happiness blooming inside her at once again being held in Darius’s arms.
