Blinking at this rapid change of mood, I took a deep breath and fired them all at once. “We will not go to Russia anytime soon. We will go out as a family and spend time together without the mafia hanging around us. Jake is not used to it, and I don’t want to explain the ways of your world to him right now. We talk and try… to act like a normal couple. And no sex, and I think for the sake of Jake we shouldn't sleep in the same house either.” I finished out of breath and was ready to give myself a high-five for this little speech.
Radmir chuckled, slid his hands down to my ass, picked me up, wrapping my legs around him, and attacked my mouth in a long and sensual kiss, as if our mouths made love instead of simply touching. Once my lungs hurt from lack of oxygen and I felt like dying, he let go, clearly enjoying my state of arousal.
He set me down and moved away from me to take out three plates and served them on the table along withtvorozhniki. He poured coffee for himself, tea for me, and orange juice for our son.
In a second, Jake rushed back and sat down at the table, and Radmir followed suit. “Mommy? We can’t start without you.” God bless my kid, really. He wouldn't ever start eating without me, because he convinced himself it might upset me.
Okay, then.
This plan of mine sounded stupider with each moment as it seemed my man didn't change at all during this time apart.
He was still a confident, cocky bastard who got his way almost every damn time.
And for some reason, it made me want him even more.
Go figure.
Radmir
“You ready, buddy?”
Jake peeked through his hockey helmet and nodded, while readjusting his shoulder and elbow pads. He grabbed the stick and walked slowly on the carpeted floor of the stadium until he reached the ice rink, and then he dashed to the middle on his skates, so effortlessly I felt like snapping a fucking picture and sending it to all my Bratva brothers so they’d know it was the sovietnik's son in the rink!
Hockey and skating were probably the most popular sports in Russia, and we were fucking good at it. I couldn't wait to take Jake to our stadiums and let him see all those stars he watched on TV. Not to mention introduce him to the Valeri Kharlamov museum and some of his coaches. He’d go nuts for it.
Jake waved for me to join him. Wearing a mouth guard, I skated onto the ice, swirling in the process, adrenaline rushing through my veins at the familiar surroundings.
Fuck, it felt good to be back on the ice. After prison, I had no time for it and no desire, because it reminded me so much of Vivian and our first date, but now I was glad I didn't do it. This way, I could share this moment with my son.
“Ready to play?”
He gave me a thumbs-up. Vivian got on the ice as well, holding a camera in her hand. She skated back and forth, showing off her skills, and then laughed when she noticed how we both glared at her.
Rolling her eyes, she skated closer and placed the puck in the middle between us and then announced, “Okay, boys. We play till one of you reaches ten goals. Your goals are on the right, baby, and, Radmir, yours on the left. And go.” She whistled loudly, and we spun into action, sticks clashing for the puck, and although I didn't plan on winning against my kid, I was curious to see his technique on the ice.
He shifted to the side, grabbing the puck with his stick and aiming at the goal, but I blocked it, yet instead of losing it, he looped around me and managed to get it back. He hit it with all his might, and it just barely made it over the line, scoring a goal as Vivian shouted, “Good job, Jake!” Then she winked at me. “One-zero, Daddy.”
Saluting her, we came in to the first position again, and this time, I took hold of the puck, speedily aiming for his goal to see his protection reaction, and he didn't disappoint me. He blocked my movement in time and regained it again. He slid so quickly I barely had time to reach him before he scored one more goal.
He swayed from side to side, clearly happy, and high-fived Vivian on the way, as she had her palm ready.
Before going back to the first position again, I managed to snug my arm around her and give her a loud peck, and she giggled. “He is very careful with his left leg,” she murmured into my ear. “Be careful or he might fall.” Giving her another kiss as a thank you for this information, I joined my kid again and decided to work on his left side so he wouldn't be scared to use it.
And as Jake had fun and Vivian snapped more pictures of all of us together, I relished the happiness and joy rushing through me and accepted it like a gift.
But with that also came a determination unlike anything before.
No one would ever take away my family from me.
I would kill anyone who tried.
Director
The hockey stick broke under my power as I crushed it against my knee, bending it in two and throwing it away. Anger slipped into my every bone as my eyes watched the perfect family, enjoying their Saturday together without a care in the world.
My hands trembled as I took out my pills and swallowed them quickly so my mind wouldn't be foggy or I’d lose my patience.
Vivian was so beautiful skating, like a swan in the lake, her neck graceful and her hair shining brightly, almost making her seem like an angel. Joy was evident in her every gesture, from the permanent smile on her full lips to her vivid, happy blue eyes. She seemed almost like another person, just because Radmir showed up again.
