***
"Are you ready?" I call out, waiting downstairs, impatient, nervous, and anxious.
"I am," he calls back, arriving in the foyer looking as gorgeous as ever in black jeans and a tight black shirt. "So, where are we going? You have to tell me, seeing as I'm the one driving."
"I can drive," I smirk, holding out my hand to take the keys.
"My little passenger princess never drives anywhere unless she has to. Not a chance, darling."
"You don't trust my driving?" I scoff, letting him lead me out the front door.
"Of course, I do. But when you're with me, I do everything for you. I take care of you, I look after you. That's how it works. It's a man's job to take care of his woman."
I pause, my heart skipping several beats. "Hiswoman?" I say cautiously.
"Oh, um, I meant in general. Men take care of women. The world forgot that somewhere along the way. They made it sound like a bad thing for a man to be stronger, masculine, and protective. I was just saying, in general, a manshouldbe looking after his girl."
"I see," I smile quietly, wishing it were less general and more specific. More personal.
He opens the door for me and then climbs into the driver's side.
"Where to, navigator?"
"St Laurent's Square. The restaurant at the water's edge. The Silver Sun. Do you know it?"
"Oh, thatisa good choice. They have the best Benedict on the planet there," he nods, agreeing with my choice.
"I think you mean… on thisentire astral plane," I grin.
He chuckles and starts the car, and my stomach rolls horribly. I'm so anxious, I'm scared the morning sickness is going to start up again. Please no, not now. If I start puking, he'll take me straight home to rest, and the whole plan will go to shit.
I hold my breath but keep the smile on my face, hoping I don't look constipated or something.
Luckily, he's focused on reversing out of the driveway and doesn't notice my panic and flushed cheeks.
By the time we get onto the main road, I have myself under control.
It doesn't take long at all to get to the square. He's holding my hand when we walk into the restaurant.
What he doesn't know is that Valery booked the entire place out for what my family and his family thought was a private breakfast. Except what it really is… is an intervention.
As soon as we walk in, Bardil's body goes rigid, and his hand squeezes mine so tight it hurts.
"Wait," I blurt out when he tries to turn around and leave right away.
Talia quickly steps into the doorway, blocking his escape.
"Talia, move," he demands.
"No. You are going to stay long enough to hear us out," she says sternly. He spins to face the room again.
"What the fuck is going on?" Jaroslav and Matvei say at the same time. Jaroslav stands aggressively ready to attack. Valery grabs her husband's hand and pulls Jaroslav back into his seat. "You're going to listen as well. All of you are!" she says loudly, taking control of the room.
Marlen and Simon stare in disbelief between Bardil and my family. Marlen presses his lips together tightly. Stress is traced in the lines of his mouth and eyes.
I push Bardil into a seat and go into the center of the room to stand with Valery and Talia.
Valery addresses their shocked faces.
