Page 124 of The Bratva King

“Against medical advice,” Olga grumbles.

“You look like shit.”

“You’re one to talk.” He gestures at my bandaged arm.

“Galina,” I call out.

She’s there in seconds. “Get Pasha settled in his usual room.”

Pasha sighs. “I had a feeling you were going to do that.”

“You know it’s the plan,” I reply. “Everyone stays here.”

“Mila still asleep?”

I shrug. “I assume so.”

“I’ll check on her,” Olga says.

Galina and Olga go upstairs, leaving Pasha and me alone in the foyer.

“You saved my life,” he says quietly.

“You would have done the same.”

“I would have. But still. Thank you.”

I don’t know what to say.

“How’s the head?” I ask instead.

“Concussion. Stitches. I’ll live.”

“Good.”

I start walking back to the kitchen. I know I’m moving slower. In my house, I can allow the weakness. The second I go through those gates, I cannot show the pain I’m in.

Pasha isn’t moving any faster. I get him coffee and tell him to sit.

“Irina, breakfast for everyone,” I tell her. “It’s a full house.”

She starts preparing more eggs.

Several hours later, with everyone settled and Gabby’s shift covered, the house is quiet. Olga insisted that Pasha stay in bed. She’s also taking a nap after staying up with Pasha all night.

He’s a lucky man to have a devoted mother. If my mother were still alive, I know she would have done the same.

Laughter carries from the living room. It’s still a strange sound in my house. I walk toward it.

Gabby is on the floor with Luke and Mila. They’re playing a board game. Colorful pieces are scattered across the carpet. Luke is smiling. Not his usual small, careful smile. A real one.

Mila says something, and Luke laughs.

Gabby looks up and sees me. Her smile softens but doesn’t disappear.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey.”