Halle appeared, trying to act as if she wasn’t flustered, but she was. Even though my house had been taken over by party planners and caterers, she’d directed every person along the way, ensuring the house and grounds looked like some magical kingdom, yet she remained out of sorts. Everyone wanted to please me. Even the newest addition to our family had been told the importance of both Nina’s birthday and the date surrounding it.
The day I’d lost my wife.
“Thank God you managed to snag Lainey for the party. I was almost ready to hire an Elvis impersonator.” Halle’s admittance shocked the hell out of Alexsey. When she laughed, pointing athis face, he grumbled. “Got you. Do you really think I’d hire an Elvis impersonator? I’m shocked Lainey agreed, but this is… You’ve outdone yourself, Sasha.”
“I’ve done nothing,” I refuted.
Bristol leaned into Mikhail. “She’s obviously happy to be here. Haven’t you seen the way she’s constantly searching for Sasha?”
“Would all of you just stop. She’s our guest and I’m thrilled Ms. Rose was able to make room in her busy schedule to perform for my baby girl.” My words didn’t deflect their rolling eyes.
“Said like a true professional while your leer says otherwise.” Mikhail raised his beer for a silent toast.
“Very funny.” I finally shoved my brother aside while scanning the party. There were approximately fifty guests, several people I didn’t know which always unnerved the hell out of me. Granted, they were parents of children attending the private school with Nina and Emily. However, given the uneasiness I continued to feel, having strangers in my house was making for a tense afternoon.
“Confess, brother,” Nadia pushed. “You aren’t just attracted to her music.”
My shrug was met with another round of eye rolls. “I’m not certain I could recite a single song. Well, except for the one Alexsey had written and recorded with Lainey for Halle.”
My cousin had outed his musical talent months before, writing a song for his beloved that had been followed by a marriage proposal. They’d brought the house down, even recording the song for Lainey’s last album. However, going on tour hadn’t been an option.
It struck me as we stood here together how abnormally normal we were as a family. We wanted the same thing as everyone else.
Success in both business and love.
“I think she’s perfect for you,” Fallon teased while taking the drink from Vissarian’s hand, lifting it to her lips. I’d often been jealous of the love my brother and cousins had found. Today more so than usual.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.” I could tell my insistence was going nowhere. “Why don’t you all make yourselves useful and tend to our parents.” My mother and father had just flown in from Italy where they’d been on vacation. With Uncle Boris and Aunt Tatiana in attendance, it marked the first time every family member living in the United States was in the same place at the same time.
I don’t know why I’d just realized it.
Even the guy Nadia was dating had taken off work to be here. While I should feel honored, the person who should be here was lying in a grave miles away. The reason was all about this family and our legacy.
“Do I hear we have a birthday girl in the crowd today?” Lainey’s alluring voice dragged my attention away from my family. She had her hand over her eyes as if searching the crowd when Nina was jumping up and down in front of her.
For a few magical seconds, Lainey and I locked eyes, and even from where I was standing in dark shades, I could see the shift in coloration of her skin. She was blushing.
And I was hot as hell, thankful I’d chosen a short-sleeved shirt. Even then, I was sweating from being near her.
Jesus. I’d laid public claim to the woman. While Damien had all but slithered back into his hole after my strong warning, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t use what I’d told him to his advantage. Then I’d make good on my threat. Jesus. Even holding my glass of vodka was a strain today.
“Me. Me. Me. Me!” Nina was happier than I’d seen her in a long time. While I was blessed with such an incredible little girl, she bore the same sadness at times that I did. How interestingfor both of us that Lainey was the single reason we were both smiling at the same time.
Even if I was trying my best to hide it from my annoying family.
“Oh, my goodness. Look at you!” Lainey continued. “Well, Miss Nina Dmitriyev, I wrote you a little song just for your birthday.”
“She’s incredible,” Fallon said from beside me. “And the way you two look at each other is dreamy. Just like a romance novel.”
“That does it. Go away.”
The women had likely been told to tease me. “Party pooper but mark my words. I know what I’m talking about,” she added.
When they walked away, likely bored with the men they’d been lured into loving, I finally took a deep breath.
“I better check on our mother. She threatened to bring a pony back with her from Italy for Nina’s birthday.” Nadia gave me a look that said she wasn’t kidding.
“No way,” I huffed.
