Page 100 of The Enemy Protector
"Your cousin is causing problems," Nikolai says, cutting through the pleasantries.
"Yuri wants what he thinks belongs to him," I reply. "He's wrong."
"He's dangerous," Maksim adds. "Desperate men do stupid things."
"I'm aware." I glance at Sergei. "That's why I'm here."
Maksim grins again. "Smart woman. Our brother has chosen well.”
Chose.
I feel like a prized pony, but I let it go. I understand how this game works.
The dinner continues. More small talk. I realize they're trying to make me comfortable. To show me I'm not just marrying Sergei. I'm joining a family.
It's strange. I haven't had a family in a long time.
By the time dessert arrives, I'm actually relaxed.
Sergei is different with them. He almost smiles when Nikolai makes a dry comment about Vegas tourists. There's an ease between them I've never seen in him before.
He's human, after all.
I've been thinking of him as this cold, calculating machine. But watching him with his brothers, I see something else. Loyalty. Affection. Brotherhood.
It makes me wonder what else I've gotten wrong about him.
Nelson appears at my elbow as we're finishing. "Mrs. Sokolov, the car is ready."
I blink. Mrs. Sokolov. That's me now.
"I need a few minutes with my brothers," Sergei says. "Nelson will take you to the car."
I see the look in Sergei's eyes. This is family business. Bratva business. And apparently, I'm not included in that conversation.
Not yet, anyway.
"Of course." I stand. Both Maksim and Nikolai rise with me.
"It was lovely meeting you, Sofia," Maksim says, that charming grin back in place. "Welcome to the family."
Nikolai just nods. But there's something in his eyes that might be approval.
I follow Nelson through the restaurant. The guards close in around us as we step outside. The SUV is waiting, engine running. Nelson slides into the front passenger seat.
I hate this. Hate being dismissed like a child sent to wait in the car while the adults talk. I'm running my own organization. I should be part of whatever conversation is happening in there.
But I'm not. Because I'm still proving myself. Still earning my place.
I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes. The image of Sergei laughing with his brothers plays behind my eyelids. That genuine smile. The way his whole face changed.
He'd actually joked. Made a comment that had both brothers laughing.
I didn't know he could do that.
Seven days of living with him and I'm just now seeing he's capable of being something other than the cold, controlled man I’ve seen.
It makes me wonder what else I don't know about my husband.
