“Well, he won’t work with us as long as you’re here. So if you can’t stay with me in Russia, you might as well go protect my heart in Thunder Bay.”
“I don’t knowhowto leave you, moya tsaritsa.”
Mila’s tears are falling freely at this point, as are mine. “I don’t know how to either, but I think it’s time we both learned. Falling in love with Thatcher made me realize how much I’ve been missing all these years. You and I have put our hearts on hold for the sake of the Bratva, and in doing so have sacrificeddecadesof happiness. I thought love was a weakness, Misha, but I was wrong. I was so wrong. It’s astrength. I should have known. All these years, I considered you my greatest strength and you’re the only person I ever truly loved…until Teddy and Thatch.” She pauses, resting her brow on mine. “We will always have each other, moya sila, but it’s time for you to set out on your own adventure. It’s time for you to find your heart, like I’ve found mine.”
We stay still in our embrace for what feels like both an eternity and only a moment as we relish the last moments of our time together. I know I’ll always have Mila, just as she’ll always have me, but something about this seems like a finality. Like the life we’ve known as long as we can recall is about to change forever. I could say no. I could turn her down and refuse. I could beg andpray she lets me stay by her side, like I always have been. But I’ll never have it in me to deny my queen anything she asks of me.
Sitting back in my chair, I give her my best attempt at a smile. “When do I leave, Boss?”
Epilogue 2
“Oh! I’m notan expert, but—”
“It’s a mocktail,” Ellie explains. “You might think that the stereotypical pregnancy cravings would be enough for this baby, but no. Instead of wanting chocolate or pickles,allshe’s wanted isgin.”
“That’s my girl!” Ellie’s Nonna fist-bumps the air in solidarity with the apparently aspiring lush baby, but her gaze remains steadfast on the ice. Warm-ups are well underway, and with her binoculars, I’m sure she’s seeingplenty.
Ellie’s mom, Giulia, returns from the bathroom, wiping her eyes. The Santori family has been through a lot recently, but the baby on the way has brightened everyone’s spirits.
This is Thatcher’s first game with Thunder Bay, and the only one I’ll be able to catch for a while. My visit back to the Statesis short and packed with the tedium of handling as much New York business as possible while I’m here. Digging up the weeds in Russia has been, and will continue to be, a challenge, and I’m relying heavily on Misha and Teddy to take care of Thatcher in my absence.
After the pre-game video, featuring frothy waves projected onto the ice and culminating in a maelstrom at the center, the team’s music starts as a spotlight shines for the announcement of the starting line.
“Number 34, Nikkkkkkiiiiiii Sannnntorrrriiiiiiiiiiiii!”The crowd chants Nikkie’s name as Ellie wipes her eyes, pulling Nonna and Giulia in for a tight hug. Her dad, Dante, is watching from a seat in the rafters tonight, leaving the box to us for a girls’ night.
“Number 12, Theodore Taranov!”If anyone associated with the team asked any questions about Teddy’s name change, they must have already been forgotten.
“Your captain, number 8, Gabriele Sannnntorrrriiiiiiiiiiiii!”Even though I only spent a limited amount of time with Gabri, the eldest Santori, it’s clear that the past few months have taken a toll. I can assume, from experience, that he’s been stepping up more to help Dante with the business. Managing that as well as a hockey career would be enough to make anyone scowl.
The spotlight transforms into a warmer golden hue as a new projection appears on the ice. Another wave, this time brighter, with a rising sun in the sky behind. Teddy told me the team was planning something special for Thatcher’s first game, especially since he’s already stolen the hearts of all the guys.
Not that I’m surprised. That’s what my solnyshko does. My Rising Tide jersey proudly displays “Prescott” across the back, and after teasing him that I’d never wear a man’s name, I can’t wait to show him later. If he’s very good, and I’m hoping he is,he might get to be fucked by me tonight, wearing the jersey and nothing else.
“And now, by popular demand, new to the Rising Tide, is number 19…Thatcherrrrr Taranovvvvvv!”
The roar of the crowd and the gasps of Nonna and Giulia are drowned out by Ellie, squealing and hurrying to pull me into a tight hug.
“Teddy told me, and it was the worst secret to keep. Well, not the worst, but still. He and Thatcher were both so excited! And I’m supposed to give you this, but he said to only read it when he’snoton the ice. I think it’s the name change paperwork. He said, and I quote, ‘Tell her when I’m out there, I better have her full attention, or I’ll be very sad, and I’ll do the puppy dog eyes.’”
It’s hard to keep the tears from falling, but I manage it until the anthem is over and the men skate out for puck drop. On his last warm-up skate around the ice, Thatcher speeds past our box and points at me. If he were anyone else, I’d doubt that he knew exactly where I was, but Thatcher can feel me from a mile away.
My tears spill over as he points at me, then to the back of his jersey, and finally to his heart before locking in for the puck drop. Ellie’s wink as she pulls me down to the seat next to hers is fortifying, and I’ve just composed myself when Thatcher breaks away.
He was deep in his own zone and intercepted the puck with a head of steam. Defenders try to get an angle on him, but every stick falls short in the face of his speed. By the time he reaches the blue line, he’s slicing through as if the puck is attached to his stick, control and precision in every inch of his movement. Only the goalie remains, and with a split-second freeze, the puck soars into the back of the net.
God, he’s glorious.Watching him skate at the compound, I assumed he was showing off and putting in maximum effort to impress me. It’s clear now that it was only a tease. This little shitwas beingmodestand not showing off at all. He celebrates with the team before skating across the ice to Teddy, who’s come out farther from the crease than usual. The crowd roars as he picks Thatcher up and spins him around in a circle before headbutting him and sending him to the bench.
By the time the third period starts, I’m exhausted. With every moment, I’m more invested in Thatcher’s skating and his stats. My skill in noticing when he starts to tire at the end of a shift is improving, along with the little ways he gets sloppy when he’s frustrated. The most amazing part of watching him, though, is the sense that he’s a little boy flying around on the ice with his friends. His joy is infectious, and when Teddy’s grandma Muriel arrives, cursing about her taxi getting into a fender bender, she fits right in. After the Rising Tide secures the win, we all file down to the lounge near the locker room to wait for the team.
“You know, I consider Thatcher to be my son just as much as I do Teddy,” Muriel says quietly, standing with me to the side as the Santori family makes their rounds. “That boy is so special, with so much love to give, and it’s absolutely killed me all these years to see everyone take advantage of him.”
“He’s wonderful,” I agree. “He’s shown me so much—”
“And his parents! Those fuckers don’t know how lucky they are to have a child with such a joyful spirit, I’ll tell you that. How he managed to come out of that situation with such a good head on his shoulders, I have no idea.”
“Yes, I have quite a few things I’d like to tell them if I ever—”
“He’snota pyro, you know! No matter how many fires he’s started, they’ve all been accidents! I don’t care what the firemen say. They’re biased—”
