“To party with those Scots? Nyet. Cancel. Let’s discuss with Father orDyadyaSimeon … if Father isn’t prepared to execute a plan.”
The stars scattered around the dark Los Angeles sky vanished as I found myself in a seat. “Don’t do this to me,brat.” I reverted to Russian, feeling tingly and unsettled as if my own brother wanted to pull the rug from beneath me.
“Don’t do this?” He gasped. “Father thinks I’m not a man.”
“No, he doesn’t!”
“Ever since I was five, Natasha. You tried to help me. Make me stronger.”
All shaky, throat clogged with unshed tears, I willed myself to tell him I was a horrible big sister.
“Thank you,sestra.The quest to help me jump off thequads, garage. That was beneficial to a certain extent. This situation will show him I am not soft.”
“Vass—”
His forceful “Wewillhave this meeting” jarred my ears. “I love you, Natasha. It is my honor to defend you.”
“Wrong. You are my little brother. I defend you. I was cruel, bored. You just … wanted to read books! Forgive?—”
“This weekend, Natasha.”
“Wait!” My stomach bottomed out with his final words as he ended the call.
Sometime later, I welcomed Lachlan’s family. They didn’t trickle in handfuls at a time. They came through. Deep. My face nearly vanished in a faux smile on Rory’s social media Live. Big Brody pulled me into a hug that squeezed the daylights outta me. Chevelle and Justice commended me on having their favorite wine, in addition to other libations. And now Nan MacKenzie sized me up, like a mother hen ready to attack whoever harmed me.
“What’s the matter, lassie?” She placed the Resnov Water shot next to a plate ofzharkoe—Russian chicken stew that disappeared from the menu during warmer months. She had chatted up the server before picking an entrée, and half the plate would be empty if she weren’t watching me.
“Fine,” I murmured.
“Och, you said that when I hugged ya.”
Nan climbed from the chair and gestured toward the bar at the opposite end of the roof. The popular area sat empty with the royal service tonight, blue label bottles scattered across the many tables.
We strolled past bodyguards. Some time ago, Pop had appointed additional shadows. Borya had tripped over his tongue, denying it months ago.
Wait… a few months ago meant Pop had issues he hadn’t told us about. Before the silent dispute this afternoon. And Momma said nothing. She didn’t allow him to keep secrets, not over twenty-four hours. Some attorney thing, I guess? Allowing him to work out bratva kinks.
I glanced over my shoulder. No whitish blond hair floating in the breeze. Borya must’ve taken a break downstairs.Have your drink, Borya.We were safe here. The Red Door was a second home. So many Russians and tons of regulars.
“We are having this blether, Natasha,” Nan reprimanded, voice as soothing as Momma’s.
Oh. “I’m uh, worried about Jordyn. She seems down.”
“Ah. You’re like sisters.” Nan nodded, glancing around although Jordyn and Jamie hadn’t arrived yet. Simona either. “They’ve been married for two years. Jordyn gazes at babies even more longingly than I do.”
I blinked. “You think they’re struggling to …?”
“We will pray.” Nan patted my hand. “Which is the reason why I’m telling you this. And I suppose”—she winked at me— “you’ll tell me the reason why you’re dreary or I’ll figure it out too.”
“Ummm …”
Nan patted my hand again. “Take your time, I’m a patient woman. I’ll tell me clan to give you a moment. They’ve waited to swoop in, comfort you.”
“They what?” That explained why Rory the Romeo turned into a stand-up comedian rather than being glued to his phone. Also why Willow kept complimenting my hairdo. Was that why Leith and Brody offered more than their usual grunts?
“Aye. I told them to allow me first.”
“I’m sorry?—”
