Daniil sat down next to me on the bed and set the alarm clock for eight. “I’ll be attending with you.”
I grinned. “Dad’ll love that.” I paused, yawning. “I guess I can wear something from the trip. Did someone bring in my luggage?”
“Yes,” Daniil kissed my forehead. “Go back to sleep.”
The next morning, my stomach churned as the alarm clock blared. I rolled out of bed, disoriented for a second, holding my mouth and glancing around, trying to remember where the hell I was. Daniil shot up in bed—I felt a little relief seeing him—took one look at my face, and jumped out of bed. He rounded it, opening a door, and ushered me inside. It was the bathroom, thank God, because almost as soon as my knees hit the tile, I started puking into the toilet.
He held my hair back with one hand, crooning to me softly and wetting a washrag with his other hand. I didn’t even have time to feel embarrassed. All I felt was sicker than shit. I groaned and felt it coming again even as he set the cool, damp washrag on the back of my neck. And it did come again, even as I repeatedly flushed the toilet.
Puking was so not my thing.
Hugging the toilet when I was done, Daniil left me for a moment. I heard him turn the alarm clock off that was still beeping annoyingly. I didn’t move when he came back in, but he unzipped the back of my dress I was still wearing, and gently undressed me—and himself—then picked me up and carried me into the shower. He proceeded to wash himself and me with the gentlest hands imaginable.
By the time the shower was done, I was feeling much better…and starving.
Go figure.
Daniil found it amusing. I didn’t. Nope. Not so much.
There wasn’t much time for any fooling around, and honestly, since we were going to church, I felt a little funny about that anyway, so we quickly readied ourselves, and made it downstairs to the dining room. Oddly, everyone was already there.
Fucking early birds. All of them.
I hadn’t known that Chloe lived with Kirill, but I found out soon enough when she was eating pancakes compared to everyone else’s…gruel…or some such. I stopped next to a chair that Daniil held out for me and then slapped a hand over my mouth, staring at their crap-on-a-plate. If it had just been the look of it, it probably would have been all right because I could have kept my attention averted. But it was the smell.
Chloe said around a mouthful of pancake, “I think she likes your food as much as I do.”
That was all I had heard before I dashed back out the room, darting to a bathroom I had seen on my way downstairs inside this fucking mansion. The place was so damn big, I barely made it there. Daniil was there, holding my hair back as I lost whatever was left in my stomach. He asked for someone to get a toothbrush and toothpaste for me as I lost my cookies and then dry heaved. I couldn’t believe I had eaten that much yesterday.
After brushing my teeth—Daniil told Trofim to keep the toothbrush and toothpaste on him at all times—we made our way back to the dining room. I was a little nervous about going back in there, but when we entered, the windows had been opened, and everyone was eating pancakes now. Albeit, a little unhappily, but their stinky food was gone.
Chloe grinned. “I’m going to like having you around.”
I smiled weakly, feeling a little sick still. “Um, I’m not sure what for. But, thanks.”
Chloe just chuckled, her gorgeous face clearly happy. Guess I had done something right.
When I sat down, I realized Grigori wasn’t at the table. And I didn’t think he was before. “Where’s Grigori? Doesn’t he eat with you guys?”
Daniil glanced at Artur, his eyebrows raised.
Artur explained, “He spent the night with Ember. I think they were going to talk to the girls this morning.”
“Ah.” Daniil nodded, smiling. He looked damn pleased. “That’s good.”
“I can’t believe they finally got over their rift and went public.” Chloe wagged her shoulders. “Think we’ll hear wedding bells soon?”
I snorted.
And probably shouldn’t have because everyone’s attention turned toward me.
I bit my lip. Oops.
Daniil leaned in close. “Is that just an opinion or do you know something we don’t?”
My lips pinched as I glanced at everyone.
They were staring at me intently. Like they had frozen except for their intensity.
“You know I saw more than I wanted to,” I stated. “I also heard too much.”
“And?” Daniil asked, his eyes darting all over my face.
I sighed and put my fork down. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but they’re seriously screwed up. They believe they belong to one another, but they don’t think they’re in love with each other. They said exactly, ‘As much as we can be.’ They’re holding themselves back.” I rested on my chair, taking in everyone’s expressions. Nope. They didn’t like that news one bit.
Daniil leaned back in his chair as they grumbled about how idiotic Grigori and Ember were behaving. He mumbled, “Those damn stubborn fools.” He sighed, rubbing his chest, and then glanced at me. He indicated with his hand for me to eat. “They’re public, at least. They’ve taken the first step, even if they don’t realize it.”
The table’s occupants agreed with him, and we all started eating.
That was when Daniil dropped the bomb. “You’re all going to church today with us.” There were a few forks that clanged down onto their plates, but other than that, the table went silent. “It will seem odd if we go there together, just the two of us.” He pointed with his fork. “You’re all going. No arguments.”
“I think I’ve got something—” Chloe felt brave enough to say in the face of Daniil’s fierce expression. But Kirill glanced at her and she shut her mouth slowly, nodding. “Okay. What can one Sunday service hurt?”
Daniil shook his head. “Every Sunday. We’ll all be attending.” He lips pursed and he glanced at Roman. “Call Grigori. Make sure he’s back here. Tell him to bring Ember. And Nikki and Beth too, if she wants. Mr. Forter told me they have a wonderful children’s church.”
Everyone continued staring at him.
I offered, “It’s potluck Sunday.” Everyone liked to eat.
Artur asked, “Potluck?”
Oh. “Everyone brings a dish of food, and after service we sit down and eat together.”
Daniil started barking something in Russian to a servant standing in the corner.
Roman muttered, “Wonderful.”
After Daniil, grudgingly, dropped me off at the end of the block from my church, I made my way there. It wouldn’t look right if I showed up with them, and Daniil wasn’t happy about it but did as I had asked. Honestly, it was kind of funny because Trofim followed me. As if I hadn’t known that, but Daniil tried to be sneaky about it, so I didn’t let on that I knew.
Making my way inside the church, Daniil and crew were just pulling up at the front doors, giving me enough time to make it there ‘alone.’ I walked up to my family, and my mom immediately hugged me, along with the rest of my family. Like I was a long lost relative. It was normal for Sunday service.
We all chatted amicably for a minute.
Until my Aunt Susan stilled, staring over my head. “Oh, my. Frankie,” my mom, “look who just walked in. James,” my dad, “will be thrilled.” Her gaze darted to me and away, a small smile playing on her lips.
Everyone stared over my head.
I turned around as my Aunt Ella said, “They look like the Mafia or something. Who are they?”
My aunt and mom both chuckled, Mom saying, “They are the Mafia.” Aunt Ella gasped, and Mom helpfully supplied, “The Russian Mafia, to be exact.” She glanced around at their group all dressed in black—albeit in suits and dresses—amidst the sea of colorful outfits worn by others. “And some of Lion Security’s company, also.”
Aunt Ella and Aunt Rebecca actually took a few steps backward, and Aunt Rebecca asked in a hushed whisper, “What are they doing her
e?” And she stilled, saying through lips that didn’t move, “I think they’re coming this way!”
My mom turned a little, her curls hiding her face as she whispered fiercely, “Be nice. They’re obviously here for church service. James talked to Daniil all week long. He’s very excited to have him here.” She smiled great big. “Now smile and greet them properly.”
Nervously, I watched as they came forward, everyone parting around them, unconsciously and some consciously moving out of their way, people slowly starting to stare. I’m not sure why I was nervous, but I was. Having them all here in a place that was normally a safe haven for me was…different. And then, I finally glanced at Daniil where he walked in the center of the group, leading them. And his gaze flicked to mine, and I relaxed instantly. That quick look was somehow soothing. It was as if he knew I needed calming and had given me what I needed.
I stop the soft smile that wanted to make its way to my lips. It wouldn’t do to show I was overly happy to see him here. I had to play it cool—which wasn’t hard because all of my aunts and mom practically shoved me out of the way, moving forward a few steps to greet them all head on.
And…Daniil charmed them like normal. It was truly amazing to see him soothe any worries they might have had, and at the same time, compliment them on what a wonderful church this was. He even stated who the architect must have been, and my mom beamed, nodding. Either he had done his research or he was an architectural buff. I wasn’t sure which.
Katie came and stood next to me, moving away from the pew where her girls were sitting, appearing glum-faced like normal on Sundays being forced to come. “So. It didn’t end in Key West, huh?”
I shook my head slightly. “No. Not at all.” I hesitated, then whispered to her, “Keep this to yourself, but I’m pregnant.”
“What?” Katie shouted.
And…the place went silent. Maybe it wasn’t the best time to tell her.
She cleared her throat, and waved at the masses, and turned her back to them, staring at me as slowly the conversation picked back up. She asked in a whisper, “What are you going to do?”
“Deal. Like I have been,” I said quietly. Daniil and Artur strode up behind her. “It’s not as bad as you think.”
I nodded and said, “Hello, Daniil. Artur.”
Katie stilled, and slowly turned. Her hooded gaze had stayed on Artur for a second before she turned her attention on Daniil. And, swear to God, she bared her teeth at him when she smiled. “Daniil.”
“Katie,” he inclined his head toward her, overlooking her hostility. “It’s lovely to see you again. This is my son, Artur.” He was playing as if we hadn’t had that big get together in my room at the resort. Smart since my aunts were watching.
She glared at him a moment longer—going all protective cousin on me—before turning her attention to Artur. She stuck her hand out slowly, saying, “It’s nice to meet you, Artur.”
He switched the large bowl he held to his left arm, and shook her hand—holding it a smidge longer than necessary, and said, “It’s lovely to meet you, too, Katie.” And…then…he went mute.
Daniil stared at him for a moment, looking perplexed before his lips twitched, and he turned to Katie and me, breaking the awkward silence. “You’re mothers said you could show us where to put our pasta salad for the potluck.”
Katie nodded, her eyebrows clearing of confusion as she looked back at Daniil. “Sure. We can do that.” She motioned for them to follow us, muttering, “It’ll give us a chance to talk.” She glanced at Daniil, who in turn smiled at her charmingly.
When we went through a side door and started progressing down the hallway toward the kitchen, Katie started walking slowly and Daniil did the same, Artur and I moving ahead. I blinked, glancing back, and Katie was talking quietly to Daniil, who stared down at her—respectfully—while she spoke, and nodded, saying something to her in return. Katie sighed and started speaking again, which Daniil shook his head and spoke again. And Katie glanced at me, looking somewhat calmer than what she had before.
I was guessing she was giving him the dressing down his kids had given me, and Daniil was amiable with her just as he had been with our parents. I wished I had that gift. I spoke more in fact. Bluntly. Not everyone appreciated that.
“Where to?” Artur asked, glancing to the left and right as we came to a fork in the hallway.
“This way,” I motioned to the left. “So, you like Katie, huh?”
He sucked in a harsh breath—yep, not everyone liked my blunt ways. Continuing to walk with a casual swagger slash stalk that all of Daniil’s kids seemed to have, he said quietly, “I don’t even know her.”
I smiled. He liked her.
The service was…a bit educational and a lot humorous. After Ember and Grigori had taken the girls to the children’s area, the whole group sat in the pew behind my family. Before service Mom must have rushed off to tell Dad they were all here, because he hadn’t looked surprised when he came out. It fact, he welcomed them specifically. His sermon was about forgiving yourself and your past, asking forgiveness to God, and moving on to a brighter future of love and happiness through God’s will.
I was pretty sure he had made two sermons available for today. One for if Daniil attended, and another if he didn’t, because this sermon was perfectly tailored for those with dark pasts. It hit home pretty hard for myself. What I had been thinking of for a full week. The things I had done in my past work history. Never showing any type of mercy. Always striving for the truth, and then putting it in print no matter the cost to anyone else. Letting go of how horrid I had been was a hard thing to do, and I wasn’t sure I could do it so easily. I felt like I had a lot of penances to do, and I wasn’t honestly sure I could change my ways so easily…because I truly enjoyed it. I would have to think more on it and come up with a middle ground, or I was going to start messing up work wise.
Right about the time I had figured that out, there was a light snore behind me. After covertly glancing back—as much as I could—I saw Zane was asleep, right along with Grigori. Ember was sitting between them. She elbowed both of them hard, waking them with a jolt. And honestly, most of their group looked pained to be sitting there, not hiding their emotions very well.
It tickled me from my own sour musings; especially since I knew they would have to keep coming back every Sunday if Daniil had anything to say about it...and they knew it, too.
After the service had concluded, we went into the large dining and rec room area where folding picnic tables had been placed and a buffet style lunch set up with all of the goodies brought in for the potluck. And I was in hog heaven. All of the comfort foods of my past were on display, and I filled my plate to the brim, and then made my way next to a few of my cousins, since I couldn’t make it too obvious Daniil and I was together.
“So, who are the newbies?” my cousin Mary asked. She was nineteen and my Aunt Ella’s daughter. She also had strawberry blonde hair like me, but hers was long and naturally curly—in the pretty way. Not inhuman hair. Just very normal. She pushed her pink glasses up on her nose, brown eyes staring at Daniil and crew as they loaded their plates. She reminded me of a butterfly today with wisps of different material that looked a lot like scarves mismatched together to make a dress. She was the artist of the family now that Katie no longer danced. An introvert and weird were what others sometimes called her, but she was sweet and smart, and I loved her despite her oddities.
Katie bit into some macaroni. “The Russian Mafia and some employees from Lion Security.”
“Oh,” Mary stated calmly, her gaze even more curious and not at all scared like most would be. “That part time job I got a month ago is right under Lion Security. I ride the elevator with some of them.”
Surprised that she had gotten a normal job, I asked, “Who are you working for?” My Aunt Ella paid for most of Mary’s expenses right now, so I didn’t think she needed cash.
“Jericho Advertising.” Mary shrugged. “I’m just a filing
clerk. But it’s helping pay for some of my school tuition since I didn’t get a full grant.”
Katie and I nodded, stunned. I couldn’t imagine Mary…well, keeping anything organized much less a busy advertising agency’s workload. Her small apartment always looked like a tornado went through it.
She grinned, glancing at us. “I’ve color coded everything in tie-dye. My boss loves it.”
Tie-dyeing and color coding didn’t really go together in my opinion, but I lost track of that thought when Grigori, Ember, Nikki, and Beth sat down at the end of our table with Daniil sitting next to his oldest directly across from us, the rest quickly following. Daniil glanced at my plate, and his eyes hooded, but a small smile lifted his lips. Scanning his plate, I realized I had twice as much as he did…or anyone else at the table. And pathetically, I had already eaten some off it, so that was really saying something.
Katie didn’t miss the interaction, and she stared at my plate, really taking it in for the first time, and she started chuckling…which she quickly cut off when Artur sat next to his dad. She and he both went oddly mute. Hell, they both were interested in each other.
Zane sat across from Mary, and she leaned forward, her head cocked. “You work at Lion Security, don’t you?”
Zane actually appeared a little startled since he had been ready to bite into his roast beef sandwich, but he politely put it down, looking up at her. Mary and I have the same tendency to get glued on a subject when our minds were on something. It was like all we saw was what in front of us. A one-track mind, my mom usually said. Zane assessed her, nodding. “Yes. I do.”
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