AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“When she ran,” he continues, “I called her. I asked her to come back with me. I offered both of you my protection. I did that countless times as you grew up, but she was too afraid that it would put too much of a target on my back.”
My brows pinch. “Ma was worried you couldn’t handle my parents? Who were they?”
“It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that she wanted to do it alone. She hated our father and everything the Bratva stood for. She didn’t want to bring you into it. When she got sick, she and I talked about your future. Marta wanted you to have your dream of teaching, so I found a way to make that happen.”
Flashes of my life with Ma play before my eyes. All of her laughter. Every moment we had. Whether it be eating ice cream or playing games. She was a master puzzler, and we would always try to find the craziest puzzles for each other every year for Christmas.
As I grew older, I knew how to fit the pieces together, but would always act stuck at some point. She would teach me a new trick for spotting colors or a new way to look at the shapes. She always had a light in her eyes that made me smile. A light that is so much like my girl’s.
“I’m sorry,” I say. I can feel every ounce of pent-up anger and resentment leave my body with those words.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Boris stands and sits on the bed beside me. “I may not have been able to be there for you in the past, but I am here for you now.”
“Thank you.” I take his hand in mine, squeezing tightly.
He leans over and pulls me into a tight hug, similar to one a father would give to a son. I have to fight off tears in the moment due to the relief I feel in my bones. He never left her. He’s always been here for me. I just needed to really open my eyes to see it.
???
The round table meeting must have gone well because less than an hour after it started, I received a call from my girl and a text from Havoc.
Havoc: All went well. I got to shoot someone, so that was fun.
Laney’s face appears on my screen a moment later, her hair whipping around in the wind as if she’s on the roof.
“Hey, Kitten.”
She beams at me, a real fucking smile that I’ve missed so damn much. “Hey, so guess what?”
“What’s that?”
“Evie is getting married!” She squeals so loud I have to cover the speaker for a second.
“What?” I’m confused. This wasn’t a marriage announcement, this was supposed to be a way to get everyone on our side. Ifreeze, holding onto my cane as I try to make it a few more yards this evening than I did this morning.
“Yeah, Damien just blurted it out in front of everyone. It’s happening in three days. There’s so much to do. Alexi already texted me that I was in charge of color coordination and outfits, and I have the perfect idea! I feel like the guys should all be in their own variations of red and black, and we can line the aisle with dark red roses and black dahlias and…”
My face lifts into a grin as she rambles on. I love when she gets like this about something she’s passionate about. Every pore radiates confidence as she speaks.
“Too bad I won’t be there to walk her maid of honor down the aisle.”
She pauses, a look of regret crossing over her features. I didn’t mean to make her feel bad at all, I was just making a joke.
“Oh. Yeah. I didn’t think about that.”
The pure sunshine that was just beaming out of her dissipates.
“That’s okay. I don’t think Evie would want something long and drawn out anyway. No bridesmaids and such. Just her walking to her three men should be good.”
She looks off into the distance, and I hate that I’ve caused the tension between us to return.
“Baby girl, look at me.” Her lips thin in a slight frown as she listens. “I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I am so incredibly happy for you. I hope you send me pictures of everything you come up with because I have no doubts it’s going to be amazing.”
Her lips tremble as she tries to hold in her disappointment. I decide I can’t walk another step if I plan to make it back to my room tonight so I turn around.
“I’ll send you lots of pictures, and even video call you during the ceremony because Boris said that they will have to do a traditional Bratva ceremony, so I bet that will be neat to watch. And I’ll bring you back cake too. Oh, and I can hold out myphone during one of the dances and pretend I’m dancing with you.”
She spirals into so many ideas about how she is going to include me in Evie’s day and that happiness slowly begins to seep back in. I’m beyond glad she isn’t going to be sleeping in here on the couch for three nights but will be in an actual bed.
