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An uneasy laugh escapes my chest, tight and breathy. “What? I haven’t been acting strange.”
Mom gives me a hard look. “I’m your mother. I know you better than anyone.”
“I swear I’m fine, Mom. Really.”
“If the workload is too much, you know you can ask your father or your uncles for help, right? Running a whole Bratva by yourself… Nobody expects you to do it on your own right away.”
“I know.” I chew on the inside of my cheek, ignoring the nausea churning in my belly.
I love my mom dearly, and I know there’s next to nothing I can’t tell her, but if I told her the truth about Andrei, would she judge me? Would she tell Dad? That’s probably the worst-case scenario, and I just know he’d lose it. Regardless, it doesn’t feel good to keep this inside. It’s like I’ve been walking on eggshells lately, wondering if and when the shoe will drop. I want to ask my mom for advice, but how could I possibly do so without exposing myself?
“Hey, Mom?”
“Hm?”
“Will you tell the story of how you and Dad met again?”
Mom grins. “I’m pretty sure you know the story by heart by now.”
“Please?”
I’ve heard Mom tell us this tale at least a hundred different times growing up, but I never tire of listening. She takes a seat at the kitchen table and gestures to the free chair beside her. Once I’ve taken my seat, she begins.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, this world is dangerous. And I’m not talking about the world in general. I’m talking about ours. The Bratva.” She sips her tea and hums. “Your father and I… What we had was very new. But when he learned I’d been taken, he dropped everything—riskedeverything—to save me.”
My thoughts drift to Andrei as she speaks, my heart silently lamenting the lack of parallels. Dad came to rescue Mom, but in my case, Andrei was the one who kidnapped me. Dad was the hero who came swooping in to save the day. Andrei was the villain who locked me away in his basement.
“When did you know you were in love with him?” I ask her.
“I’m not sure.”
“Seriously?”
Mom giggles. “It happened over time, and then all at once. I know it’s not exactly a tidy, neat answer, but it’s true. I think I realized I loved him when I saw the lengths he’d go to in order to protect me. To protect you and Charlotte and Freddy. Your father would walk through fire to make sure we’re all safe.”
I nod slowly, allowing her words to fully digest. I wonder if Andrei would do the same for me. It seems unlikely, given how things started between us.
Mom tilts her head to the side and observes me from behind her mug. “Why do you ask, sweetie? Is there a special someone in your life?”
I stand a little too quickly. “Nope.”
“Ah, there is.”
“I’m not seeing anyone, Mom.”
“You’re seeing someone?” Dad asks as he rounds the corner.
I nearly leap out of my skin when I see him, my whole face overheating. “No, that’s not—”
“Who’s the young man?” he asks as he kisses the top of Mom’s head. “If you’re seeing someone, I’d very much like to meet him.” Dad’s face hardens for a moment. “Please tell me it’s not one of your bodyguards.”
I’m dying a little on the inside. “I’mnotseeing anyone,” I say adamantly.
“Then why are you blushing?” Mom counters.
“I’ve got work to do.”
“You’re the boss, kiddo,” Dad says with a chuckle. “You’re allowed to take a day off if you want to.”
