Page 113 of Legal Returns
“Mommy, no,” Mishutka Mishyenka whines as his mother tries to hand him over to his father.
“Come, spend time with Popa,” Misha croons.
“No, I want Mommy,” Mishutka Mishyenka says.
“It’s okay, babe. I’ll take him with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Da, I’ll leave the twins here. Ksenia has been following Vlad around all morning. When he picked her up, she was a goner.
“I’ll get my baby back when we return home. For now, those two are attached as she wraps him around her little finger. She’s not going to want to leave with me today. Your other son will be happy to hang with Popa.”
“Fine, I want you armed,da.”
“Always.”
Misha palms the back of her neck and kisses her possessively. It’s clear he loves her and has become a different man because of her. It’s good to see.
“Eww,” Tasha teases.
Misha looks at her and narrows his eyes. “You chose the Italian over all this. Don’t be jealous. You have right man for you,” he says with a dark grin.
“Time to go,” Sammy sings.
We all laugh as he drags Lovie from the room with him by the hand. I tug Tasha into my chest and start to recruit for the volleyball game. This should be fun.
Sammy
“Why wouldyou ask her to come with us? Is that wise?” Lovie whispers as we go to walk out of the house.
“It will be fine. You are about to gain the Russian’s loyalty for life. Besides, what will happen today will make sure the future works in our favor. I need this to happen. It is a win in the grand scheme of things.”
“You’re something else, kid.”
“Why, thank you.”
“You know I meant that with sarcasm, right?”
“Yes, I did. As did I,” I say with a grin.
She places a hand on my head and ruffles my hair. “Don’t get hurt today. That will only piss me off. No one wants to see me pissed off.”
“Got it. I can assure you no one with me will get hurt. You are to stick to me until I give the signal.”
“And what’s the signal?”
I give her a little smile. This is one of those times when nothing can look like it has been planned. Uncle Misha won’t like that.
“You will understand when it happens.”
“Right,” she says and rolls her pretty eyes.
Lovie has a very pretty face and smile, even with the piercing running through her septum. I think the piercing brings attention to her beauty and glow.
“There you guys are. You ready?” Jamie asks as he comes out of the house behind us.
“We are missing a few in our party,” I reply.
