Dom stood up reluctantly, his gaze lingering on me, and then he spun around and disappeared into the cockpit, but not before muttering to Michael, “Watch her.”
Snorting, I toed off my shoes, because my legs were killing me. The man in question came into view. “So, Rosa… I don’t think we’ve had an opportunity to be introduced properly to each other before, huh?” Dropping onto the seat next to me, he wiggled his brows. “How about I rectify this small oversight now? I’m awesome.”
Resting my chin on my hand, I added, “And modest. Don’t forget that.”
He ran his index finger over his chin as a wistful expression settled on his face and then nodded. “Yes, definitely that too.” A sparkle of mischief played in his topaz-green eyes as he entwined his fingers through his sandy-blond hair. He had a lean body, muscled enough to give a good physique, yet not overly buffed. Michael laughed as I shook his hand. “And you are the pakhan’s woman.”
At this point, the smile died on my face, and it probably turned into a grimace. He exhaled an exaggerated breath and rolled his eyes. “Seriously, babe. I understand he has some tendencies, but that man is fiiiine.”
He prolonged the last word, and a growl came from the open door of the plane. “Angel.”
Blushing, he blew Vitya a kiss, who clearly got jealous when he described other men as handsome, and continued talking to me. “You gotta give him credit for being so patient with you.”
My jaw almost hit the floor. “In what universe should I freaking thank a man for dating me?”
He sucked on the straw of his vodka tonic and shrugged. “He isn’t just a man, sweetness. We both know he could have done this a month and a half ago, and you wouldn't have been able to do anything.”
Not wanting to see the truth in his logic, I argued, “So instead, he did it now, ruining any kind of relationship with myfamilia, and essentially, once again, taking me from my home and my aspirations of becoming a surgeon?” Just that angered me more, not so much the fact he got freaking tired of our high-school-like romance, but his total ignorance toward my desires pissed me off. “No offense, Michael, but I’m not really feeling that whole forgiveness thing right now.”
Playing with the lid of his glass, he asked after a moment, “What were you hoping for by dating him?”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t get it.”
“Dominic is the pakhan of the Bratva who resides in Russia. As much as he can travel a lot, he still needs to be present at the main headquarters. You had all this information, yet you dated the man, hoping for what exactly? That he’d give up the mafia for you?”
Denial spilled from my lips before I could stop it. “No!” Licking my dry lips, I elaborated, “No one leaves the mafia once you enter this world. I know the rules.”
“Exactly. You know the rules. So how in the hell were you hoping to study in the States while your man had business in Russia? Hate to break it to you, babe, but an entire ocean separates the two countries.” His smug smile pissed me off.
“Trust me. I have quite a lot of knowledge about Russia.” And a bit of the language, but no one needed to know that.
“My point is the outcome would have been the same. You moving to Russia while he changed nothing about his life.” Holding my chin in this thumb and index finger, he said gently, “The question is… is he what you want? Is he the man you see yourself spending the rest of your life with? Because, Rosa? He’d never force. Not after what happened to him.”
My breath hitched at the reminder of what he had gone through during his years of captivity, and his reassurance of my safety in that regard.
Not that I ever doubted him, Dominic just couldn't be cruel with me.
Vitya shouted, interrupting our moment, “Come here, Michael. We are about to take off.”
Since we were so deep in our conversation, I hadn't noticed the cabin crew had prepared the plane for flying. Doors locked, window shutters up, drinks away and technical devices off, and finally, the stewardess helped me with my seat belt since my hands were tied. Michael winked at me from his seat, as Vitya wrapped his arm around him, and he rested his head in the crook of his arm.
Dominic was nowhere in sight, probably still handling business with the pilot. I looked back at my life, at all the choices it dealt me, and the events of the last few years, all while Michael’s curious voice echoed in my mind.
Question is… is he what you want?
Dominic
Patting Oleg on the shoulder, I couldn't be happier for his time of joy. “Congratulations, man. Expect an expensive gift from the Bratva.” His wife just gave birth to twin girls, and he was eager to return to Moscow.
“Thanks, Pakhan. Would you be the godfather for them?” Tradition demanded that whenever the child was born in the family, the pakhan got dibs on godfathering if he wanted. However, while I believed in a higher power in this world, I didn't exactly consider myself religious, so I shook my head in refusal, and he nodded without further comment.
“Was that all?”
He bit his lower lip in hesitation, but then blurted, “I asked the bank for a loan, but they wouldn't give it to me. With two girls adding to our two boys, me and Oksana already have… we need a bigger house.” Fear marked his voice as his eyes measured my blank expression. Whenever I dealt with Bratva business, it stayed that way. No one could know about my real emotions, as they were weakness, and those could always be used against you.
“Bring this up to Yuri.” Yuri Radionov was ourkaznachei, meaning he handled all the Bratva finances and business transactions. “He’ll give me a call.”
Oleg shook my hand with all his strength. Gratitude filled his voice. “Thank you so much, Pakhan.”
