40. Natalya

Chapter 40

Natalya

T he garden behind the Zeitsev mansion is beautiful. Blue and purple flowers bloom around big, manicured bushes, and a huge oak tree casts shade across the patio. Their housekeeper Nikkita serves tea and sandwiches, and I spent most of the afternoon quietly chatting with Karine about being pregnant and having babies while Valentin and Alexander make polite small talk about fatherhood.

It’s strangely nice and normal. I expected a meeting with the Pakhan to be overly formal and a little scary, and while Valentin definitely has some murder-arson-torture sort of vibes, he’s also very charming and extremely devoted to his wife.

And fortunately, she’s basically his polar opposite. Where he’s hard and dark, she’s light and airy and quick with a smile or a joke.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to thank you,” she says to me as we walk slowly around the small paved path that winds through the manicured flower beds. It smells like honeysuckle and fresh dirt. “For running out on Valentin.”

“I’m glad it worked out for everyone. Honestly, it didn’t feel like a smart idea at the time. I was just desperate.”

“I know something about feeling desperate too.” Her gaze goes far away for a minute before she brings it back on me. She smiles big, her thick, dark hair shining with sunlight. I have to admit, she’s really pretty—I can see why Valentin married her.

“But look at you now. You’re a mom.”

“I know, it’s so weird. Did you know they just let you take the baby home? Nobody, like, checks to make sure you’re ready. You push it out and boom, you’re a parent, good luck with that.”

“Seems wrong. I thought there was a mandatory class? To like, ease us into it?”

“Nope, no class.” She laughs lightly, and I’m smiling too. “I think I’d be lost with Nikkita.”

“Think I can borrow her?”

“God, that woman is such a baby hog. She’d probably happily work for you guys for a while, but sorry, she’s already taken. But seriously, don’t feel bad about hiring help. Everyone needs an extra hand.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

We come around the bend and rejoin the boys. They seem at ease with each other, though I can tell Alex is sitting very stiff and feels uncomfortable around the Pakhan. That’s the soldier in him: even now, he defers to those in power.

When in our family, in our home, he’s the one in charge.

Well, mostly.

And we like it that way.

“We were just discussing business,” Valentin says as I sit down beside Alex.

Karine groans. “You’re always discussing business. I had no idea criminals could be so boring all the time.”

Valentin pats her arm and smiles as he bends down to kiss her cheek. “We don’t say we’re criminals out loud, darling.”

“You don’t, maybe,” she mutters and kisses him back.

It’s disgustingly adorable.

“Things with the Marinos seem settled,” Valentin says, turning to Alex. “I spoke with the Don yesterday, and he’s happy with the situation.”

“You should probably know that his son has more power than they let on. Adriano’s the one that made all this happen.”

Valentin frowns slightly and glances at his wife. “Yes, well, I’ll keep that in mind. And what about Lev? How’s he handling the situation?”

“Good enough. Things are complicated, but he’s doing what he has to do.” Alex seems slightly standoffish, and I don’t know why.

“That’s fine with me, so long as this war is averted and we can get back to making money.”

The meeting breaks up. Valentin says they’ll announce Lev’s engagement soon; Karine hugs me tightly and tells me to come back anytime. Nikkita sees us to the door, and then I’m on the sidewalk with Alex. He seems strangely withdrawn.

“That went well,” I tell him as we walk to the car. We’re parked a couple blocks away, but it’s a nice day and I don’t mind.

“I guess so.”

“What’s the matter? You seem off.”

He grunts and puts an arm over my shoulders. “You’re too perceptive.”

“I know you, Alexander. You can’t hide shit from me. What’s going on?”

I don’t like the way he glances back over his shoulder like he’s making sure we’re not being followed. “Lev made a deal with Adriano.”

“I know. He’s marrying the girl.” My eyebrows raise when Alex gives me a long look. “There’s more?”

“Listen, I want you to know that he didn’t tell me until I was put on the spot.”

“Tell you what?”

Alex slows his pace. “Lev’s going to take down your father with Adriano’s backing.”

I nearly trip over my own shoes. Alex holds me upright, face lined with concerned, and a thousand feelings rush through me.

I never wanted this. I never wanted my family to tear itself apart. My brother against my father. It’s going to split the Federov, and it might ruin us.

But god, what a fucking relief.

“Took him long enough,” I say and bury my face in Alex’s shoulder.

He hugs me tight. “That’s not the reaction I expected.”

“I know. I think I’m to stunned and numb to really process what’s about to happen. But I want Lev to win.”

“Your father can’t know. If he catches wind of what’s going to happen, things will get ugly.”

“Lev’s going to kill him, isn’t he?”

“Yes, baby, Lev’s going to kill your father.”

I let out one ugly sob then I bite back against the tears. No, I’m not going to cry. I don’t want Valentin to think I’m upset over the death of my shit bag Dad.

I’m not crying for that old man—I’m crying because this should have happened sooner.

Alex pulls me into a hug. I feel silly having this emotional breakdown on the sidewalk but I can’t help myself. Rationally, I know what’s going to happen, and this could seriously rip our family to pieces.

Everything’s going to change.

But emotionally, I’m so fucking happy.

“Lev’s going to make a really good head of the family,” I whisper into Alex’s shoulder.

“I think so too, baby, but we haven’t gotten there yet.”

“I know it’s going to be hard, and I know Lev’s going to go through some stuff, but am I messed up if I’m happy right now?”

“Not at all. You can never, ever be messed up to me.” He tils me back and kisses me softly. “We’re going to get through this, no matter what happens. Me, you, and our baby.”

“Our family,” I say and wipe my face. “Alright, no more crying. I want to go home, soak in the pool, and then take a nap.”

“You can soak, but you’re not napping.” His expression sharpens and he gets that deeply obsessed look in his eye. “I’m going to go run some errands, and when I get back, I want to watch you do some horribly filthy things to yourself in front of the living room camera.”

“Why, Alexander, that’s very shocking.”

“You haven’t seen shocking yet, my sweet wife.” He bends down and kisses me again. “But you will.”