After pulling me into a corner, Dima shook his head. “What were you thinking?”
“First, he insulted me about listening to business, but then he called Sarah a whore.”
To my utter shock, Dima didn’t immediately go off the handle. I don’t know why I was surprised since he’d been standoffish with her. Sure, he had said hello and shaken Sarah’s hand where the rest of my siblings had given her the traditional Russian hello.
While it pissed me off, it hurt me more than anything. There was no one’s blessing I wanted more than Dima’s.
“This isn’t the place to fight with them. We don’t need witnesses, and we don’t need to ruin Mila’s night.”
Although I knew he was right, I hated admitting it. “Fine.”
Once my brothers had left us, I pulled Sarah against me. “Are you okay?” she asked.
“I should b-be the one asking you that.”
She shrugged. “He was pissed you wouldn’t talk business so he took a low blow.”
I grinned. “How can you be so understanding?”
“I’ve seen worse.”
I knew she meant her dealings with Silas. “I think I could use a drink. How about you?”
“As long as it’s with you.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE SARAH
It was still relatively early in the evening, but I would have to say all my worry had been for nothing. Although I’d already met two of Maksim’s brothers, I was still ridiculously nervous to meet the rest of his family, especially his sisters. Considering what a wonderful brother he was, I knew Mila and Kira would be hard to win over.
Thankfully, I’d worried for nothing. Both women were so fun and beautiful and welcoming. In the end, they were both so thrilled that Maksim was so happy. And I felt the same way.
Dinner was a delicious mixture of Russian and Irish fare. Apparently the two cultures weren’t completely fused yet, which wasn’t surprising considering the previous bad blood.
My place-card had been seated between Dima and Kira with Maksim across from me. Dima was still a mystery to me. He’d shaken my hand and seemed glad to meet me, but there was something beneath the surface that I couldn’t put my finger on.
It was like he distrusted me.
And I couldn’t imagine why. It wasn’t like I’d thrown myself at Maksim to try to win him over for his money and power. I’d been kidnapped for fuck’s sake. Considering Lev and Aleks role in my early captivity, I couldn’t imagine that Dima didn’t know the truth.
In the end, I knew I could only try to change his mind by being friendly and gracious. Of course, that was proving difficult since he had his head buried in his phone for the first two courses.
I turned my attention to Mila’s fiance, Kellan’s, scarred brother, Quinn, and his beautiful wife, Isla, were also seated next to Maksim with their baby boy. I’d met them briefly at the groundbreaking. Just as I was about to compliment the baby, Isla popped out of her seat and quickly rushed off.
Quinn grimaced. “She’s got morning sickness…or I guess I should say all day sickness,” he explained.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said.
As he bounced his son in his arms, he glanced over his shoulder, concern etched on his handsome face. “If you’d like to go check on her, I can take your baby.”
“Oh thank you,” he replied as he rose out of his seat. Leaning over the table, he said, “His name is Rian, and if he gets really fussy, just find one of my brothers or their wives.”
“Find someone Irish. Got it.”
Quinn chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“We will,” I replied, as I took Rian into my arms.
“Thanks.”
