Nadya looks skeptical. “My brother? Considerate? Are we talking about the same Valentin?”
“He has his moments,” I admit with a small smile.
“Well, if you need a break from this place, or from him, you call us,” Darya insists. “In fact, we should go shopping soon. There's this boutique downtown that just got a new collection in.”
“That sounds fun, but I'm not sure Valentin would be on board with me leaving the house,” I say before I can stop myself.
All three women exchange glances.
“Is he keeping you under watch all the time?” Yulia asks, her voice taking on a serious edge.
“No! No, it's not like that,” I backtrack quickly. “It's just... There are some security concerns.”
“The Zakharovs,” Darya nods knowingly. “Trifon mentioned something about that. But don't worry; we can arrange security for a shopping trip. We, Yuri women, don't let our men dictate our lives.”
“That's right,” Nadya agrees. “Besides, you need some fun. Being married to my brooding brother can't be all rainbows and sunshine.”
I laugh despite myself. “He does brood a lot, doesn't he?”
“Oh my god, it's his superpower.” Nadya rolls her eyes. “When we were kids, he'd lock himself in his room for days if something upset him.”
“Really?” I lean forward, suddenly hungry for these glimpses into Valentin's past.
“He's always been intense,” Darya confirms. “But loyal to a fault. Once Val decides you're his, he'd move mountains to protect you.”
Something warm unfurls in my chest at her words, but I quickly suppress it. I don’t have a right to feel warm and fuzzy, not after I’ve made it clear that we aren’t a thing.
“So, shopping next week?” Yulia suggests, mercifully changing the subject. “We can make a day of it. We’ll grab some lunch, hit the spa—the works.”
“That sounds amazing,” I admit. I've been cooped up in this house for so long that the idea of a day out, for anything non-work-related, feels like freedom.
We talk a while longer, and then the girls decide they should head home.
“You sure you guys don’t want to stay for dinner?” I ask once more.
“It’s very kind of you to ask, but we’ve got plans with some friends,” Darya and Nadya say.
“And Trifon’s waiting back home for me,” Yulia smiles.
“Alright, then. We can do dinner another time!” I suggest. I really enjoyed my time with them today. The hours flew by incredibly fast, and I feel mentally recharged.
“Should we wait for Val?” Nadya asks as they begin to gather their things. “I haven't seen him in ages, and if he’ll be back soon, we could stay a little longer.”
“I really don't know when he'll be back,” I say, and I can't help the note of concern that creeps into my voice. He's been gone for hours now.
“Don't worry about him,” Darya says, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “These Yuri men disappear sometimes, but they always come back.”
After they leave, the house suddenly feels too quiet and empty. I eat my dinner alone, but my mind keeps drifting to Valentin. What business is keeping him away? Is he avoiding me after what I said?
Hours pass, and there’s still no sign of him. I try to watch TV, but nothing seems to hold my attention. Eventually, I end up on the couch, waiting, though I tell myself I'm not sleepy enough to head to bed.
I must doze off because the next thing I know, I'm jerking awake to the sound of a splash. I check the time and see that it's past midnight.
Is Valentin home?
Following the noise, I make my way to the back of the house, toward the indoor pool area. Through the glass doors, I see movement.
I push the door open quietly and step onto the pool deck. The lights are dim, but there's no mistaking Valentin as he stands by the hot tub with his back to me.
