The previous night, I wasn’t able to help myself from staying longer than usual in Arko’s room. He had fallen asleep, with my hands still on him, and I just stayed a while longer, sitting by his side, just in case he woke up and needed something.
I remembered how peaceful he looked, his face soft and quiet, when he slept. I ran a hand through his hair, soft and buttery to the touch, before I kissed his cheek goodnight and left the room a few hours before dawn. He hadn’t even stirred.
“Would you like to have breakfast served now, Mrs. Pavlov?” The butler entered the room and stood by the door, his hands clasped politely in front of him.
“Oh, no.” I gave him a smile. “I’ll wait for Arko. Until then, I wouldn’t mind some more coffee.”
“Of course.” He gave me a polite nod before scurrying off.
It was already late in the morning, but I’d told the household to keep it quiet outside Arko’s room.
He had been so, so tired last night. All because he’d worked himself to death to free those terrified women. And even now, he hid his true self from the world.
I hated that for him. Hated that no one knew the real Arko Pavlov, and most of all, wondered what would happen if the world discovered his secret acts of good. Maybe a stupid idea took root in my mind; he’d be easier to forgive.
Take my brothers, for example. They thought him a monster when all along, he’d been a gentle giant.
I’ve been with Arko for almost four months now. Day by day, it’s getting harder to ignore reality. I don’t have any clarity about the future, but what I do know is that this fight between my brothers and Arko has to end, because I can’t keep living like this.
Despite the hostility between my family and Arko the last time we met, despite the fight we had, I know I need to try again to fix this. If only I knew how.
I jumped out of my skin when I heard the door bang shut. My eyes swept in the general direction, and I saw Arko grinning as he walked over to join me.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice low like gravel, eyes sweeping over me.
“Hi,” I smiled back, my heart still stuttering. I’d been so lost in thought, I hadn’t even heard his footsteps down the hall.
He took a chair next to me and eyed the empty table with a frown. “Breakfast over?”
“Just how selfish do you think I am?” I giggled, playfully whacking him on his shoulder. “I was waiting for you.”
“You were waiting for me?” His eyebrows hit the roof of his head, like he couldn’t quite believe it. “How very…domestic.”
“It’s called manners. You should try it,” I teased.
“Ouch,” he said, clutching his chest in mock pain, moving over to nudge me with his shoulder. “And here I thought it was rude to wake up and find you already gone. Guess those manners missed the mark there.”
I blushed and felt a warm spool of affection threading down my chest. This felt nice—us being playful, and more importantly, Arko being in a good mood.
Maybe this was a sign that times were changing. Maybe it was time to bridge the gap between our families. Now, all I had to do was get my brothers and Arko in the same room together, and I knew none of them would come without a fight if I asked nicely.
I needed a plan to get them into the same room together, without a fight, and with their guards down, so we could finally put this enmity to rest. Once my brothers learn what a great guy Arko is, they won’t be so hostile toward him.
I pick up my coffee and flash Arko a smile. “Let’s get some breakfast, shall we? And I was thinking, should we have dinner out together tonight? Could you be at Le Maison by six?”
***
I arranged everything perfectly. The private dining room at Le Maison had been booked out for my little party. All it took was one phone call to my brothers, telling them that Arko won’t be home tonight, and that I’d love to see them.
Le Maison was the ideal neutral territory, a cozy Italian restaurant with excellent food and soundproof walls that would contain whatever shouting match might erupt.
I arrived by 5:45 pm, just to make sure everything was in order and, more importantly, that I got a glass of wine in time to soothe my nerves before shit hit the roof. Though if things went according to plan, I anticipated the night would end on a good note.
I’d seen a different side of Arko recently. If my brothers could see that side of him, too, maybe we could start building bridges instead of burning them.
I downed the glass of wine and checked my watch. Arko and my brothers would be arriving anytime now. My heart was pounding, and my hands already felt clammy.
A bottle of Arko’s favorite whiskey sat on the sideboard beside Caspian’s preferred scotch. I’d ordered all of my brothers’ favorite appetizers to be ready when they arrived. Maybe I could distract them long enough with drinks and food to make my point.
