AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But just before I began to lead her away, the sliding door opened, and Volkov, my uncle, and my cousin were walking through, Sophia in their wake.
“Plemyannitsa, show Miss Volkov the interior. The men need to talk,” my uncle instructed Sophia.
If looks could kill, my sister would have murdered our pakhan then and there. “Of course. Come on, Anya.”
Anya pouted—with a full-on, stuck out lip, and made a point of ensuring her father noticed. “I was hoping to see it firsthand from my husband-to-be.”
“Go along, doch'.The men have business to discuss.” Volkov sank into a chair, pulling a cigar from his breast pocket without sparing his prodigy another glance.
The two unhappy women trumped into the house. Briana continued setting out the meal, placing the dish of steaks and seasoning next to my sleek grill with its built-in counter. She worked silently, efficiently; and yet I was glued to her every move.
My uncle and Volkov droned on in Russian while Nicolai scrolled on his phone, chiming in whenever necessary. I, too, lost myself to menial tasks and let the elders speak their piece. They talked of the war with the Serbs; they talked about some of our less than legal ventures; and they talked about Mother Russia. It was all bluster and declarations, nothing useful...until Volkov dropped his voice, muttering something to my uncle.
I pricked up my ears but didn’t catch it. Only their twin gazes zeroing in on Briana as she was slipping back into the house for the side dishes of baked potatoes and salad clued me into their train of thought.
My uncle looked back at me and shook his head before saying to Volkov, “Sophia’s friend. Been close since starting college.”
My uncle’s explanation wasn’t enough. I could see the calculations slipping through Volkov’s eyes.Ah shit!The bastard was suspicious, and unfortunately, he was right to be. Compared to his whisp of a daughter, Briana was capable of stealing the attention. Especially mine.
“What did you say you were doing in New York?” Volkov asked me.
“Personal matters,” I responded, testing the heat of the grill. I put the already baked potatoes toward the back where they’d stay hot.
“But you were at Bridget Pelto’s wedding to Henry Hilton.” Volkov cut a look between Briana and me. “And aren’t you Bridget’s sister?” Volkov now asked Briana, switching to English.
“Much to her displeasure, I’m afraid I am,” Briana teased.
“But you’re going to school in New York?”
“Finished—I have an internship at Loftson, Avery, & Hobbs; a business law firm in Manhattan.” Briana set serving utensils and a trivet in the center of the table.
Volkov hummed under his breath. My uncle leaned back in his seat. The strongest desire surged in my chest. I wanted to go to Briana and put a protective arm around her waist. But showing even a thread of possession would put her in more danger than she already was.
I should have sent her and Sophia to the ocean for the weekend.Yet, with the attack last night, that was impossible. “How do you like your steak, sir?” I addressed Volkov.
“Well done.”
I forced back a gag at his response. It was made worse when Briana bit her bottom lip and fidgeted with the salad tongs. I tore my gaze away, realizing belatedly that I was fixated on her.
Sophia blasted out of the house, face screwed up in rage. I groaned. But Briana intercepted her, doing that little side hug thing girls did. How I envied my sister....
They sat down, Sophia diving into the cuts of meat and cheese and avoiding the purple olives. I repeated the question about the steak to Anya as she emerged from the house. She gave the same damn answer as her father. Sophia, lacking tact, giggled into Briana’s shoulder, and I made the mistake of meeting Briana’s mirth-filled face. The smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.
I wanted to push her into a dark space and watch the fire spark in those soulful brown orbs. I wanted to chase away the sadness. Instead, I blew out a short laugh. How could I do that when I was the one responsible for covering the fire?
Not much happened while I masterfully cooked the meat. As it rested, Briana went inside for the toppings for the potatoes and the salad. I thought of any plausible excuse to run inside after her. None came to mind. She came back, and I served. We sat down at the table, with beautiful pieces of porterhouse on everyone’s plate.
Briana cut into hers, blood and juice souping into her plate. Because I was hyper aware of her, even though I was careful not to look directly at her, I noticed her eyes roll back in pleasure as the first bite hit her tongue. I caught the faint moan as she chewed, and my dick hardened as the meat worked its way down her throat. Fucking hell, I needed a shower. Since that was impossible, I asked Anya how she liked Sophia’s tour of the interior.
“Your house is very...unique,” Anya said as she took the smallest bite of salad.
“That’s what he was going for when he designed this monstrosity,” Nikolai quipped.
Sophia kicked our cousin under the table. He placed a hand on his heart and whimpered.
“Well, monstrosity fits the place, don’t you think?” Anya leaned over to Briana, frosting her with a look.
Briana finished chewing a large bite of her steak, swallowed, then patted her lips before answering, “No—it’s stunning. A palace straight out of a fairy tale. The perfect lair for some great and terrible ussuri who’s been enchanted by a wicked witch. I love it much better than some cookie cutter mansion.”
