Page 122 of Inked in Devotion

“Mama,” he repeated and giggled.

Moisture warmed my eyes, and I swept him up into my arms and turned to Kolya. “He finally said it!”

Kolya’s intense gaze never wavered as he closed the gap between us. “Say it again, Seva.”

“Mamamamamama.”

“He might be hungry.” I emitted an emotionally clogged laugh. “But I’ll take it.”

Kolya’s arms encompassed us in a protective shield. He kissed the top of my head, and we just stood there.

In the moment.

I decided to table the discussion about the picture and my ideas for later. After looking after myself for most of my life, I wasn’t about to be kept in the dark about the danger Sebastian and I were in. That was another line item in my demands should I consider tying myself to the bratva. I didn’t want to live blissfully unaware of the danger surrounding us.

I was done with secrets, and there was no room for them in a marriage.

But tonight was about Theo and Aralina.

Irina and Ivan’s house was in Alpine, New Jersey. A sprawling compound comprising a main building and an outbuilding where their guards lived. I heard Lucy was talking to Kirill about adding a similar structure to their current residence.

Theo’s Mercedes was already parked on the driveway. Kolya drove to the parking lot behind the mansion. This was a bratva gathering, according to him. The property blazed with landscape lighting. There was no hiding in the dark. Guards with rifles slung over their shoulders patrolled the surroundings. This wasn’t a new scene for me, but I wondered what my brother thought of it. I’d been to Theo’s mansion. The guards were more circumspect and formally attired like the Secret Service and not as blatantly intimidating like a Colombian drug lord’s mansion.

Kolya carried Sebastian on his left arm, and he interlaced his fingers on his right hand with mine. I could feel the scrutiny of eyes. Not only from the people outside but also from inside the house. Guards exchanged nods and chin lifts with the man beside me while I did my best to appear amiable. A public face. After I decided to accept the legacy of the shares, I considered formal etiquette lessons. That went out the window quickly because Sebastian and the foundation occupied my time.

Thankfully, our boy was in a good mood and was curious about the unfamiliar sights and sounds around him.

When we crossed the threshold, I immediately spotted Theo and Aralina. Beside my brother was Gage. Hmm, something was wrong. My brother looked grim. Aralina was standing off to one side, looking ill at ease. Gage was stuck to his father’s side. My brother was in a dark gray suit, while my nephew wore a herringbone-patterned one.

My gaze swept around. All bratva, no business associates. I had no idea whether this was a baptism of fire for my brother.

I headed straight for him.

“Theo,” I said. I rose on tiptoe and kissed his cheek while murmuring, “Welcome to the dark side.”

He grunted.

My eyes fell on my nephew. “Gage, looking forward to the summer?” I gave him a hug.

He squeezed me back and said, “Depends.”

I laughed a little. “Why?”

“I’m not looking forward to camp.” He glanced at Theo.

“It’s only for three weeks,” his dad said.

Aralina seemed occupied with Kolya, and a smile at least brightened her face.

Theo angled me to the side and said in a low voice, “If I knew men were going to parade around toting assault rifles, I wouldn’t have brought Gage.”

“In all the time that I lived in Kirill’s compound, I’d never heard a single shot. Relax.” In other words: Suck it up.

“Is everything okay?” Kolya asked. “Aralina said there’s a children’s activity area.” He nodded at Gage. “Your boy won’t be⁠—”

“He’s fine right here,” Theo said, a tad testy.

Oh, I see where the tension came from. I guessed Aralina had suggested that Gage joined the other kids so he wouldn’t get bored, but Theo shut down the idea.