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“So, you blew up a Syrian prison and Viktor set the new land speed record, then what did you do? Go to Disney World? Euro Disney?”
Andrei pointed to me, exclaiming, “I TOLD YOU IT WAS A GOOD IDEA!”
That caused another round of laughter from all of us. We ended up laughing so hard we were crying.
Finally, Ivan got control of himself enough to answer Sephie’s question. “We laid low for a few months. Viktor was in a bad spot from his months in that fine institution. He needed time to recover. We spent time in Eastern Europe in various places. We had just returned to the city a few days before we came to the meeting at the restaurant and met you.”
She laughed. “You recover well, Viktor. I still remember being shocked when you and Andrei walked in the front door of the restaurant.”
“We remember too. You made it very difficult to not laugh,” Andrei said, grinning at her.
“I have that effect on people,” she said, flipping her braid over her shoulder. She leaned back against me, pulling her knees up on the couch, leaning them against my legs. I put my arm around her, pulling her close. “I’m glad you guys know how to ask nicely and got him out,” she said, smiling thoughtfully.
“We’re a family, solnishko. We don’t leave family behind,” I said, kissing her temple.
Andrei, looking serious, asked, “You don’t think we’re monsters after hearing these things?” The other guys looked at her, curious as to her answer as well. I knew what they were thinking. It was tough to share this part of our lives with anyone.
She smiled at him, in her perfect way. “Bubba. You think because you can freely walk in the dark that it makes you a monster?” He shrugged his shoulders. “No, Bubba. You’re the opposite of a monster, simply because you don’t give in to the darkness. It makes you dangerous, sure. Because you’ve conquered your darkness. Tamed it, even. You each have such a strong light in you, despite the darkness coming for you more times than you can remember, most likely. Never forget that the darkness can be a place where greatness is created too.”
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes and I didn’t have to look at the rest of them to know they were in the same state as me. I pulled her closer to me, wrapping my other arm around her. I rested my head on hers because I couldn’t believe how much I loved her in that moment, and I didn’t want the guys to see the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. My breath caught as I inhaled, thinking about everything that had happened and how lucky I was to have her in my arms right now.
With the time difference, we landed in the city in the early afternoon. Plenty of time to get Vinny’s. I smiled to myself, still amazed at Sephie’s reaction to us on the plane. I knew it before today, but I could clearly see that each of them loved her almost as much as I did. We would never be the same without her.
As we got everything from the plane, I noticed that her limp was barely noticeable today. Ivan caught me watching her as he loaded bags into the SUVs. “Her limp is better today,” he said, a sly smirk on his face.
I cut my eyes to him. “I was just thinking that. She was practically jumping around the bedroom this morning. I just don’t know if she’s that excited to get a sandwich or if she really feels better today.”
“Let’s get her a sandwich and then we’ll see if the limp comes back. Process of elimination,” he laughed.
“Solid plan.” I had to admit that I was also looking forward to stopping by Vinny’s. We’d find out more about her hip tonight when we changed the bandage. I was hopeful that it wasn’t just her excitement over her favorite sandwich.
We were greeted by Vinny as we walked in the sandwich shop. “Boss! I’ve never been happier to see you! I told them you weren’t really gone! And Miss Sephie! You’ve never looked more beautiful, amora.”
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, Vinny. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy you’re making me right now,” she said as he walked to her, embracing her in one of his hugs. I remember her apprehension the first time he hugged her. She was now completely at ease with him. I might still be slightly jealous of him, but I couldn’t help but love the way everyone loved her.
“You want the usual, bella?” he asked, walking back behind the counter.
“You know me so well, Vinny,” she grinned at him.
Misha leaned into her shoulder. “We’ll have to come back every day this week, so I can make good on that promise.”
“You ain’t gotta ask me twice,” she said dryly.
Once we were all sufficiently stuffed, we went to the penthouse. I had a few things work-related to take care of that afternoon. I was hoping that Sephie would want to come with me. I could use her opinion, for one. I had also gotten used to always being with her and the thought of being away from her right now did not sit well with me.
After the guys got off the elevator at their floor, I pulled her to me. “How are you? Are you happy now that you’ve had at least one sandwich? Are you tired?”
“My stomach is so happy right now, but I’m not that tired. What do you need?” she asked, placing her hands on my chest.
“I need to meet with Dario and Massimo this afternoon. I was hoping I could talk you into coming with me,” I said, leaning down to kiss her lips. “We can go back to Vinny’s after,” I smiled against her lips.
“I would do it even without the offer of more Vinny’s,” she said as the doors to elevator opened. “I’ve become very accustomed to being with you the entire day. I’m not ready to give that up yet.” She turned to leave the elevator, her hand finding mine. I felt that pull in my chest as I realized she had read my mind yet again.
Viktor let Dario and Massimo into my office that afternoon. They were surprised to see Sephie sitting on the edge of my desk.
“Are we interrupting, Boss? We can come back later,” Dario asked. Sephie stood up and moved behind my chair, sitting on the cabinets behind my desk.
“She stays.” I motioned for them to sit. Viktor caught her eye before leaving, winking at her. She grinned at him.
