Chapter Twelve

DANIIL

Itold her I loved her. I still can’t believe I said those words last night. I’ve never spoken them to a woman before, not willingly or mistakenly.

There was only one plausible reason for saying that; it’s because I do love her.

We exchanged gifts of sexual favors earlier this morning, ate Christmas brunch, and retired for a nap. My eyes slowly peel open one after the other as I feel her gaze upon me.

She’s lying on her side watching me.

“What? Did I snore? Or talk in my sleep?”

I ask, still lying there.

“No.”

“Did I slob?”

“No.”

“Did I call out another woman’s name?”

I ask, though that’s hardly likely.

“No, Daniil. You did nothing.”

“Then why are you staring at me?” I ask.

“Because I was trying to come up with all the reasons that I shouldn’t love you.”

“Why is that?”

“Because we live in separate countries. Because we don’t really know each other. Because you’re a playboy. Because your career is dangerous. Because I just got out of a marriage. Or, I guess I should say, became widowed?”

she asks, staring at me.

I nod numbly, close my eyes, and say, “Yes, you’re a widow, Esmé.”

Nodding, she says, “Yes, all of those things.”

“Which one stuck?” I ask.

“None of them. Because for every retort, my mind tried to create the opposite side of my brain had a witty response. I could move. We could get to know each other. I don’t think you’re really a playboy at all, but a magnetic sex god who women want desperately, but the feeling isn’t always mutual. My father’s career is dangerous as is my late husband. And then there’s that. I never loved him, and I never felt like I was in a marriage.”

“So, those are your reasons that you should not love me?” I ask.

“Those are all the things that could easily be worked out if they were truly problems, but they’re not. I love how you seem to know what I’m thinking, how you easily help me overcome my lack of confidence, and how you help me to be free to express myself sexually. I love the way that you chew, as though you’re enjoying and examining every bite.

“I love how you walk around looking so broody, but you’re really a sweet teddy bear underneath. I love how you make me feel when we’re just together in silence. It’s like you know me, can detect my mood swings, and you just want to be in my presence. So, yeah, I love you. For all those reasons and more,”

she shares.

“Come here,”

I say, tugging her to me.

She scoots closer, and I hold her neck, brushing my lips against hers. Before I know it, she’s on her back. I’m straddling her with my dick pressed against her belly. I’ve pinned her hands above her head. I’m kissing her and slowly grinding against her.

The moans she releases have me getting harder by the minute. But the knock at our door suggests otherwise.

“Goddamnit!”

I groan, dropping my lips to her ears.

“We had sex before our nap. Surely you can wait,”

she says, pushing at me until I roll off her.

“Daniil! Mama says it’s time!”

Oksana sings out. “So, put the flogger away and come on, lover boy.”

Rolling my eyes, I shout, “Fuck you, Oksana.”

My little sister giggles, and I climb off the bed with Esmé following behind me. It’s time to complete our annual Christmas tradition.

Twenty minutes later the entire Volkov clan is down by the river, along with Esmé and her parents.

“It is a Volkov tradition to plant trees every year on Christmas day. This year, it was my turn to choose what we would plant. I have chosen the Evergreen. The significance of planting an evergreen is that they stick around all year long. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves, the evergreen retains most of its foliage, losing leaves at various times rather than all at once.

“The Volkov family is like an evergreen. No matter the attacks we face, no matter the challenging climate, we will continue to stand strong, beautiful, and firm. We will not be depleted,”

I exclaim.

Shouts and cheers go up at that, and I look at beautiful Esmé, and she smiles at me.

“There are twelve holes here today,”

I say. “My brothers, cousins, father, and uncle will each plant one in the holes that I have previously dug.”

“What are we waiting for? Let’s plant, boys!”

my father announces.

I have already sprinkled Royal’s body parts full of lime and fertilizer, along with his men, and the Don’s two men. The two chemicals together will eliminate the odor of his decaying body, and the trees will prevent animals from digging him up.

Each of us grabs an evergreen and sets to work planting. Underneath the warm sun, we labor, working up a sweat, as our bodies' internal temperature builds a barrier against the frigid temps.

We make quick work of planting, and before long, we’re all back at the cabin where we belong. Drinking hot chocolate, apple cider, or liquor, each of my family members and Esmé’s toast one another.

Her father steps forward, holding up a glass of cognac, and says, “I am thankful that you have all opened your hearts and home not only to our beautiful daughter, Esmé, but to her mother and I.”

Cheers go up again.

“To the beauty of friendship and hopefully a future union between our son and your daughter!”

my father pronounces. Cheers go up again, and I pull my woman into my arms and stare into her beautiful, dark eyes.

“I will spend the remainder of my life loving you, protecting you, and cherishing you, Esmé.”

“I know you will, Daniil. And I promise to give you the best of me as long as there’s breath in my body.”

“Ya tebya lyublyu.”

“What does that mean?”

she asks, smiling up at me.

“I love you.”

“Je vous aime,”

she says, confessing her love for me in French. “Joyeux No?l, Dani.”

“S Rozhdestvom,”

I say, wishing her a Merry Christmas in return.

We kiss, and I am thankful for the wonderful Christmas gift of knowing that our enemy no longer walks on this earth and no longer poses a threat to the most beautiful gift of all, my Esmé.

No matter the attacks that come our way, and I know that they will come, we will stand strong, we will weather the storms, we will remain firm, and our love will always be steadfast and beautiful.

THE END FOR NOW