Vivian
The huge wooden clock tick-tocked loudly in my parents’ kitchen as Jake rode a horse outside under our handyman, Jackie’s, supervision.
Mom sipped her coffee nervously, glancing between my father and me while he stared into his cup, and I waited for their reaction.
I had just informed them about Radmir and our relationship. They needed to know about changes in my life and the decision I had made regarding our future.
Guilty or not, Radmir had given me a promise a long time ago he wouldn't kill my father. And if he was guilty and he wanted to take it to the law, I would support him in it, because it was the right thing to do. My mind and heart didn't believe it could be true. My father wasn't as cruel. Controlling and ruthless yes, but not cruel.
Radmir was needed back in Russia, because he had responsibilities, and I couldn't keep him in limbo any longer. I loved Russia and could imagine living my life there; the country forever held a special place in my heart. Jake didn't have school or ties here so far, and I could always travel for work. Connie, my assistant, could easily take care of the gallery when I wasn't around.
We loved each other. We had a child. It was time to start living our life without looking back on the past.
“After all this time, he is still your choice,” Dad said, raising his eyes to me, and I could see conflicted emotions running through them.
“He was always my choice, Dad. You refused to see it.”
He nodded, rose from his seat, and I thought he’d just leave, but instead, he palmed my face and pressed his cheek against my hair while wrapping his hand around my neck.
“I cannot stop you, nor do I want to. I’m sorry, baby girl, if I took a part in ruining your life. It was never my intention. Try raising a beautiful princess who follows you around with her pigtails, and then one day, she says she loves a criminal. It wouldn't have made any parent happy, and I refuse to apologize for loving you.” He kissed me on the forehead and walked away, leaving me speechless.
“Despite what you think, honey, we do love you.” I snapped my attention back to my mom, who placed her mug on the table carefully, sighing heavily. “I will tell you what I should have said all those years ago. Follow your heart, and do what you think is right.” She covered my hand with hers. “Just remember you always have a home. You never have to be in the situation we all placed you in six years ago.”
My eyes watered, but I didn't let the tears fall, because they would have ruined the moment.
My parents, in their own way, gave me their blessing to pursue my life with Radmir, even though they didn't support it. As much as I didn't care for what they had to say, it soothed my heart like honey on burning scars, eliminating some of the damage they had inflicted. Despite the past, I never wanted to lose them as my parents.
“Thank you, Mom.” I laced our fingers together. “We can be together in this one.”
She smiled weakly. “I’m not sure your man would want us around.”
Well, that much probably was the truth. He didn't take kindly that they had hurt us. But his Bratva hurt me too, yet he still worked and lived with them.
“We’ll find a way,” I said, and with a nod, she wiped the tears from her cheeks and laughed suddenly.
“Have you seen the new pictures from Tina? That girl drives me crazy.”
Groaning, I covered my face. “What else did she come up with for her wedding?”
“Swans, she wants real swans swimming through like when pigeons fly around, and her pictures taken in the light breeze.”
“They are planning a wedding in June… here. A light breeze will be hard to accomplish.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Then Mom’s face got a wistful expression as she placed the dirty mugs into the sink. “Sometimes, I think—” She shook her head. “No, it’s probably just me.”
Frowning at her hesitation, I hugged my knees and wondered aloud, “What is it? You can tell me, Mom.”
She turned around and leaned on the kitchen counter while looking outside through the window. “I feel like she doesn't want this wedding, as if something holds her back. Whenever I ask about it, she closes up on me.”
Thinking back on it, there was truth in her words. Tina was cheery and happy about everything, except the upcoming event. Then again, she had ten months to think about it and change her mind if she wished to. We all liked John, but if she wasn't sure, she shouldn't even consider marrying him. She had enough bad exes to last a lifetime.
I opened my mouth to reassure her that Tina was a smart girl, when Mom gasped loudly and blinked rapidly as if not believing her eyes. “There is a biker out there on the ranch!”Biker?“Tattoos over muscles. Scary. What is he doing here?”
Oh, God.
Quickly running to the window, I found Radmir facing off with my dad as they heatedly spoke about something, and I could practically touch the tension it was so thick between them.
“That’s not a biker, Mama. That’s my man.” I rushed outside, hoping to stop this before it escalated to the point of no return.
