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I took a sip from my wine as Kaleb dished up portions for each of us. We each took seats at the island and ate a few bites before Andrei set his fork down.
"I talked to mybabushkatoday."
My brows rose close to my hairline as we all turned our attention to Andrei. He'd been wrestling with how to move forward for days. Sergei had given us some insight, but Andrei struggled with his inner demons. I couldn't imagine the things he'd gone through and how much blood he'd witnessed before he left Russia.
He told us some stories, but certain things were better left unsaid and buried in the past.
Lottie reached over and laid her hand over his, giving him what comfort she could. None of us spoke, giving Andrei whatever time he needed to gather his thoughts.
"He was diagnosed a year ago, like Sergei told us. Didn't have any progress with treatment in Russia, so they came here. So far, he's not responding to anything here." Andrei let out a sigh and tunneled his fingers through his dark hair. "She said he's getting his affairs in order and making peace with things. Like he doesn't expect to survive."
I barely held back the curse running through my mind. Viktor was still Andrei's family, and despite the years of separation and mountains of baggage between them, he still cared about him. That was plain to see in the pain radiating off Andrei.
"Forgiveness can't happen overnight, but I'll be civil. Talk to him." His jaw clenched. "I can't promise that I'll ever truly forgive him. Plus, he needs to fucking apologize and make it up to Lottie for hurting her."
Lottie cocked her head to the side. "I get worse bruises when I hit the corner of my desk at work, Andrei. I really wasn't hurt that badly."
Despite her vehement protest, I doubted any of us truly believed her.
She may not have been hurt much physically, but she was scared, and that did mental damage. I didn't miss the way she flinched at certain sounds. She'd survived so much in her short life. She didn't deserve any of the terrible things that had befallen her since she got together with us. Damn it. Just thinking about it made my blood boil.
First, that asshole David, then Viktor's flunkies. If I ever got my hands on them, they'd see how many of my boxing skills from my twenties I'd retained.
Andrei turned and cupped one of Lottie's cheeks, his thumb sweeping over her skin. "That may be true, but it doesn't mean that I'm not still furious that you were hurt. Plus, it was more than just physical, and don't try to deny it."
Lottie sighed wearily but didn't say anything.
"Are you liking dinner, sweetheart?" I asked Lottie, wanting to give her a subject change and smooth out her wrinkled brows.
She brightened, turning toward me with a smile. "It's so good. Gordon Ramsay would be proud."
Kaleb disguised his laughter with a cough, but Andrei didn't even bother.
"Of course she likes Gordon Ramsay," I muttered.
Of fucking course. The British chef had a heart of gold when it came to kids and anyone down on their luck. I just never wanted to cross him in the kitchen.
"Speaking of Gordon." I took a drink of wine. "New episode of Hell's Kitchen was on last night. Are you caught up?"
Lottie squealed and clapped her hands excitedly. Gods, she was too adorable for words. "Yes! So we can watch it after dinner tonight?"
Andrei and Kaleb groaned.
"Hush, you two. You know you like Gordon, and you just don't want to admit it."
Kaleb rolled his eyes. "I'll agree to watch it just because I know Lottie is coming to bed with me tonight." He gave our Little a look filled with promise, and I didn't blame him one bit for looking forward to his night alone with her.
CHAPTER 21
Kaleb
Lottie yawned as I led her upstairs after finishing not one but two episodes of Hell's Kitchen.
It really annoyed me how much I liked the damn show. But the things we did for love and family, right?
The rain hadn't ceased, and several flashes of lightning lit up the sky through the windows as we entered my room. Lightning wasn't something we saw every day in Oregon, so it concerned me.
A violent clap of thunder vibrated the house, and Lottie squeaked and jumped beside me. I wrapped my arm firmly around her waist to keep her from falling as I helped her toward the bed.
