Page 109 of Betrothed
Or perhaps I was weighing odds that I didn’t like.
The Ghost was using a backdrop of our expansion and our closeknit organization against us. And I would bet all that I had he had found a home with the Italians. The only question in my mind was whether the home had been made with the Savoys or the Lorenzos. But I was a betting man and my guess was that Vivian’s family had been betrayed.
Whatever the case, the situation would need to be handled carefully. The last thing I would allow to happen was for her or Kazimir and his family to be hurt.
Her moans were subtle, yet I captured them, taking a little extra time to enjoy what I craved.
The sharp rap on the window was the only reason I allowed her to push me away. Dimitri was peering in, holding out his hands as if asking when I was going to make an appearance.
In return, I shot him a middle finger.
She made a point of cursing under her breath before throwing open the door. “Men. You are all alike.”
I chuckled as I stepped out, scanning the driveway as I did.
The next few days would be critical to our future.
Including to mine.
Because I would take my talented doctor up on her offer.
We were getting married.
CHAPTER 22
Kirill
“There’s no place like home.”
The Wizard of Oz
As I walked inside the house, the saying struck me. The only reason I’d even seen the movie was because it was one of Sasha’s favorites.
He was the first to notice me, his little eyes lighting up. “Kirill.” As he came running, I felt myself stiffen, which was ridiculous.
“How is the little man?” I scooped him into my arms, flying him around in a circle, which he adored. Soon, he would think the playful act far too childish. He was the epitome of his father, Kazimir cherishing every moment with a son he hadn’t known existed for almost five years.
As expected, Sasha rolled his eyes. “I’m not a baby.”
“And I never said you were. You’re a tough dude.” I did my best to use a cowboy voice while almost everyone in the room chuckled.
A typical reaction to a child’s innocent musings.
Only nothing in our world was innocent.
Fortunately, Sasha’s attention was dragged to Vivian, his little eyes opening wide. I was surprised as was everyone else in the room when he touched her hair.
“You’re pretty. Almost as pretty as my mom. Are you Kirill’s wife?”
“Sasha,” Kazimir gritted out.
“What, Dad? You told me to tell the truth.”
Rafaela could barely contain her laughter. Neither could anyone else. For Kazimir to hear his son, a little boy who’d only recently learned he had a father call him Dad meant everything. And for a few seconds, I was jealous.
Vivian pursed her lips together to keep from laughing, but she managed to look the little boy in the eyes, remaining entirely serious. “Thank you, Sasha. That is the sweetest compliment I’ve heard in weeks.” She even got her jab in with me, her feisty look something not to miss. “And no, we’re not married. Yet.”
The room was filled with people, including some of our own brought from Moscow along with lieutenants on Dimitri’s payroll.
