Jaroslav was right. I hadn’t taken Sienna anywhere. She probably didn’t see the point in wearing the expensive outfits on campus when she was focused on her studies.
“Maybe you’re right,”
Jaroslav smirked. “I know I am.”
“And maybe being around the others will help take her mind off things. It’ll be good for her,” Pyotr suggested.
Before I could think of an excuse as to why Sienna wouldn't be able to go shopping, there was a knock on the door.
Marten, being closest, opened it. Kira, Vera, Katya, and Mariya walked in with Alexi and Evie. Marten kissed Kira, and Katya and Vera went straight to their husbands to greet them, before they all made their rounds, hugging everyone.
“Avit, I’ve missed you,” Katya said, pulling back from our hug.
“Give him a break. He’s a married man, still in the honeymoon phase,” Mariya chimed in.
“Lev and I have been married for over four years, and we’re still in our honeymoon phase, thank you very much. Avit needs to stop hogging Sienna all to himself,” Katya said.
“Agreed,” Vera added. “She’s part of this family, and we want to take her shopping. After that, we’re all heading to Marten and Kira’s to get ready.”
“Fine,” I said, “but her mother passed, and yesterday was her birthday. If she seems closed off, I don’t want any of you taking it personally.”
“We won’t,” Mariya said, looping her arm through mine. “Everyone’s allowed bad days. That’s why we lean on family.”
“Well, ladies,” Lev said, “if you plan on shopping and getting ready in time for Ninel’s opening, we need to leave now.”
Katya narrowed her eyes playfully. “Are you saying we take long to get ready?”
“What I’m saying, sweetheart,” Lev replied, “is that I fully respect the process of beauty and perfection, and with five women, I just want to make sure you have enough time.”
Katya kissed him lightly. “Good save, husband.”
Lev smirked.
“Are you going to call Sienna and tell her to get ready?” Kira asked.
“Nope,” I said as we all filed out of the conference room. “If I call, she’ll overthink it and look for a way out. I’ll tell her when we get there.”
“Fair enough,” Kira said.
We walked out of the building chatting about tonight’s gallery opening and the nannies Artyom secured, who would be staying with the kids at the hotel next door under heavy security.
As the others talked, my thoughts drifted to the women wanting to bond with Sienna. Aside from Mandy at school, she didn’t have many female friends. The fact that the most important women in my life wanted to embrace her meant more than I wanted to admit, even though trying to bond with her nowwasn't something I wanted to happen for fear of my secret being exposed.
In the parking lot, we organized which guards were going with the women. Pyotr volunteered to join them for shopping, a rarity, considering he usually tried to dodge it when he was in charge of taking Ninel before she got married.
And that in itself made me suspicious.
What the hell was he up to?
While the men discussed logistics, I noticed the women grouped together talking. When everything was sorted, Mariya slid into my passenger seat, and the others went with Pyotr.
As I pulled out of the lot, I glanced at her.
“I know there’s a reason you wanted to ride with me…alone. We’ve got about fifteen minutes before we get there.”
“Do you think we’d judge Sienna because she didn’t come from Bratva? Or think she’s a gold digger or something? Is that why you’re keeping her away from us?”
“What?” I stared at her, genuinely shocked. “That never even crossed my mind.”
