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I smile wide. “Good morning, husband.”
Epilogue
Andrei
“Ineed last quarter’s profit reports,” Sandra says into the phone pinched between her ear and her shoulder while she balances our son, Yevgeny, on her hip. “And I need you to stop by the gambling den on Fourth. I’ve gotten a report that a frequent customer of theirs might be cheating. Nobody steals from the house.”
I follow from behind, little Anya in my arms. She’s fast asleep, drooling adorably on my shoulder. I’m convinced she could sleep through an air raid. The sounds of the taxi depot and all the mechanics’ whirring tools don’t seem to disturb her in the slightest.
While Sandra talks business, I peek in on all the taxis in our fleet. We’ve since tripled the number of vehicles out on the road, ensuring a steady in and out of goods. I’ve spent the last few months with Roman and Damien redesigning the trunks to hold our more discrete cargo. So far, the police are none the wiser.
“Yeah, he’s here,” Sandra continues with her conversation. “Okay, I’ll let him know. See you later, One-Eye.”
I chuckle as she hangs up. “Why do you still call him that?”
Sandra grins, hoisting Yevgeny up to rest against her chest. “Leo loves it. I thinkhethinks it makes him sound cool.”
“Better than his old codename, I guess.”
“What was it? I don’t think I ever heard you use it.”
“We called him the Accountant.”
“Soboring.” My wife rolls her eyes, though the corners of her lips tick up into a big smile. “He says hi, by the way, and that he should be back in a few minutes from his meeting with the Latvians to babysit for us.”
“Are you sure we can’t just ask Charlotte or Frederick to watch the kids?”
“Don’t you trust Leo?”
“Of course I do. But when it comes to kids… I mean, have you seen the guy? I don’t think he understands the concept of smiling.”
Sandra kisses me on the cheek before gently combing her fingers through Anya’s hair. “Neither did you when we first met. Besides, my siblings are busy, and Mom and Dad are enjoying their vacation in Italy. I guess we could always ask Samuil—”
“Absolutely not,” I interject hurriedly. “I love him to death, but I watched him break a mug just by picking it up this morning. I shudder to think of him holding our children.”
Sandra laughs, shaking her head. “God, when did you become such a worrywart?”
“Since we had these two,” I mumble, kissing the top of Anya’s head. “Too precious for this world—or my brother’s carelessness.”
“You better not be talking about me,” a deep voice comes from around the corner. Leo steps into the taxi depot, ducking beneath one of the metal garage doors while adjusting his tie. It’s as casual as he’s going to get.
“How was the meeting?” I ask him.
“They drove a hard bargain, but our new supplier is appreciative of the split. They’re as eager as we are to get business started.” Leo outstretches his arms. “Now, hand over the children.”
I snort. “Could you sound a little less like a robot?”
“No,” my brother grumbles as he takes Anya and Yevgeny, one balanced in each of his arms. “Go enjoy your evening. The two of you haven’t had any time off since the twins were born.”
Sandra loops her arm around mine. “Come on, Andrei. They’re fine.”
“If you need anything at all,” I say to my brother, “you call me.”
My wife all but drags me away. “Thanks, Leo! We’ll be back later tonight.”
Never in a million years did I expect to become the kind of man who’d worry about this sort of thing. I try and tell myself it comes with the territory. Given who we are, it’s important to be cautious. Sandra and I are the two most wanted people in all of Russia, which is why we go to such great lengths to keep ourselves and our children out of the public eye.
It’s hard as hell getting into the back of our waiting SUV without the children, but I feel better once Sandra slips into the seat beside me and threads her fingers through mine. “They’re going to be fine, my love.”
