Chapter Thirteen

Ferma La Guzun, the residence of Zafira Guzun, nestled on the banks of the Dniester River, Dubasari, Moldova...

“I’m done waiting. You had better start talking quickly, Rusu. My patience is rapidly running out. Why the hell did we have to run away like scared rabbits in the middle of the night from very good friends of the family?”

“Calm down, Mom,” Vanya said soothingly. “Bogdan only did what was the best for you.”

“I’m not a child or incapable of defending myself, Vanya. I don’t need to be treated like a porcelain doll, for one thing.”

“Well, excuse us for wanting to have you around long enough to meet all our kids,” Vanya snapped. “You forget that you nearly died not so long ago. Someone is out to kill you, so if you think for one minute we are just going to idly sit by and watch that happen, you don’t know us very well.”

Zafira’s heart sank as she looked into the worried eyes of her children. Their fear and concern for her safety were palpable. The sobering realization jolted her out of the single-minded focus she had maintained for so long. In her relentless pursuit of building a covert group to counter Luciano Maranzano’s ambitions and to maintain the kind of Bratva group her father had supported when he had offered Viktor his backing, she had lost sight of the toll her actions were taking on her loved ones.

Vanya’s words cut deep, a painful reminder of how close she had come to losing everything. Her children had already suffered the trauma of her nearly dying once before, yet here she was, recklessly pursuing a way to get rid of Maranzano and placing herself in harm’s way once again. The weight of her actions pressed heavily upon her. A surge of guilt washed over her.

Eyes softening, her gaze shifted from Arian to Vadim to Vanya and Andrei, taking in their concerned expressions and the unspoken fear that lingered behind their eyes.

Blyad’! I’ve been so blind to the emotional turmoil I inflicted upon them. In her quest for acknowledgment as a fearless Comare and her desire to protect her family, she had inadvertently neglected the very people who meant the world to her.

She blinked back the unexpected tears burning her eyes as realization hit her like a ton of bricks. If she wasn’t careful, her family could become collateral damage in her crusade. The thought of losing them was more terrifying than any threat she personally faced.

I’ll never let that happen! I’m supposed to be their protector, not them mine!

“You are right, my darling. I have to be more aware, especially of your feelings and needs. I’ve been selfish, I know, but it’s only because I’m trying to keep you all safe.”

“It’s not your job to keep us safe, Mother,” Arian said gruffly. “That’s on us. We’re adults now, and we were brought up to take care of ourselves. We all made a promise to Dad that we’d protect you. So, it’s on us. We’re the ones who should take care of you.”

“Arian said it,” Vadim added. “You’ve done your job by teaching us the values of life and protecting us as kids. Now, it’s our turn.”

“I already—”

“It’s useless to keep protesting, Mom. It’s been said, and so it shall be.” Vanya hugged her fiercely. “Besides, you have to be there to help me with my little one. I have no clue about being a mother, and I’m shit scared I’ll fuck it up.”

“For one thing, you should stop cursing. Parents shouldn’t use bad words in front of their little princes.” Bogdan shifted his weight but ignored Zafira’s sardonic glance. “He’ll be catching on quickly enough as it is. We don’t want fuck or blyad’ to be his first word.”

“Heaven forbid,” Andrei agreed with a smile. “Tat? would be my preference, of course.”

“Dream on, big boy. Our son’s first word is going to be Mam?, and that’s it.” Vanya walked into Andrei’s embrace. Their love shone from deep within, enhanced by the trials and tribulations they had to endure to finally find each other again. The new life growing inside her had only strengthened the golden thread weaving their souls together.

“What the fuck!?” Before anyone could comprehend what Bogdan’s furious cry was about, he stepped in front of Zafira, lifted her off her feet, and dove behind the sofa. The Ming vase on a side table exploding into hundreds of pieces alerted everyone of the danger. “Sniper outside. On the outside perimeter fence,” Bogdan growled as he got up and confirmed that he hadn’t smashed Zafira into the ground with a gruff, “Are you still breathing, Ms. Guzun?”

“Who can breathe when squashed like a bug by your lug of a body,” she snapped as she slapped his hand away and got to her feet. Her eyes rounded, and she went pale as she noticed blood on his sleeve. “You’ve been shot!”

Bogdan glanced at his arm. “It’s a scratch. Come, boys,” he said as he brushed her hand away before stomping toward the side door. “Let’s catch the motherfucker.”

“It’s a waste of time,” Zafira said, concerned about Bogdan’s wound. “He’s long gone by now.”

“No, he’s not. I just saw a reflection to the right of where the shot initially came from. He’s trying to ascertain if he got the hit.”

“The hit?” Zafira pressed herself against the wall. “Get down, Vanya, and stay low.” She looked at Bogdan. “Are you saying there’s a contract out on me?”

“You didn’t know?” He shook his head as he cautiously opened the sliding glass door. “Tsk-tsk-tsk, Comare. You’re slipping.” Glancing over his shoulder at Vanya, he said in a clipped tone, “Protect your mother.” Pointing in three directions, he continued, “Vadim, you and Antonio go around the house to the left. Andrei, you, and Arian to the right. I’m going to skirt around and approach the fuckface from behind. I want him herded. If there’s a chance of him escaping, shoot to incapacitate, not kill. I want to know who the fuck sent him.”

Zafira was in awe of the natural way Bogdan took charge. He had always been the one taking orders and performing them without saying a word. To see him exerting such powerful confidence without effort set her heart racing. This was the Bogdan she had fallen in love with all those years ago. The one who wasn’t scared to take charge and shot the stupidity of his friends down when he didn’t agree with what they were doing.

Then why did he allow them to force a wedge between us? Why didn’t he fight for me when he returned a year later? Was it because he truly never loved me?

The loud boom of a gunshot outside shattered her thoughts.

“No!” With fear rushing through her like a destructive tornado, Zafira raced toward the front door, only to be tackled onto the sofa by her fiery daughter.

“Don’t be stupid, Mom. Running outside is going to draw all the attention to you, and it’ll only end in disaster... for our boys. They’ll forget to take care of their own safety in an effort to protect you.” She smiled as she raised her trusted Molotov pistol. “Besides, I’ve got you.”

“Someone was shot, Vanya. I’ve gotta go look. What if it’s—” She bit back the words that threatened to explode unchecked from her lips. Her feelings for Bogdan had always been kept close to her heart. She had never shared it with anyone, not even her gorgeous but obviously very clever daughter.

“Don’t worry, Mam?. I’m sure Bogdan is fine. Besides, my newly acquired tat? has too much going for him now to allow any pitiful assassin to end the life of the ubiytsa smerti. If anyone is shot, it’s most probably the motherfucker who was stupid enough to come to your home, believing he’d get away scot-free.” She giggled as she peeked over the back of the sofa. “Have you seen how he has changed, Mam?? So powerful, demanding, and issuing orders left, right, and center, and not one of our big, bad boys blinked an eye. They just jumped to attention and did his bidding.” She slapped a hand on her thigh. “Now that’s the Bogdan I knew he was. I’m so stoked he finally found the power and confidence within himself.”

“It’s always been there, my darling,” Zafira said softly as realization struck. “He just kept it suppressed... because of me.”

“I have a question, and I’d appreciate an honest answer.” Vanya scrutinized her mother’s expression. “Why have you kept your feelings from Bogdan all these years? It’s been so long since Dad’s death, and still, you keep him at a distance. Don’t you think it’s time to admit that you love him? Or do you really want to grow old alone?”

“That’s three questions.” Zafira felt her face heating as a blush crept over her cheeks under Vanya’s examination.

“Humor me,” Vanya said. Her expression was resolute, warning Zafira that she wasn’t going to back down.

“I don’t believe anyone wants to grow old alone. The prospect of that is quite depressing.” Vanya once again foiled her attempt to peek outside by yanking her down behind the sofa.

“Stay out of sight, please. Continue, I’m listening.”

“Good Lord, you’re bossy,” Zafira complained but sagged down next to her, a ragged sigh confirming that she had given up fighting her very determined daughter.

“Who said I’m in love with Bogdan? Just because you and Andrei found each other doesn’t mean everyone else should follow suit. Besides,” she quickly continued before Vanya could voice the words hovering on her lips. “It’s more important to get Arian and Izolda back together. He hasn’t said a word about her apart from telling me she left him. Nor has he made any attempt to make contact with her. It’s not right. He loves her, and she loves him. They belong together. They always have.”

“Hmm, that does sound so fitting... and not only for Arian and Izolda, don’t you agree, Mam??”

“Enough, Vanya. You’re digging where there is no tree to plant.”

“Am I? I may be younger than you, but I’m not stupid. I know you, and I know Bogdan. I’ve watched the two of you all these years. No matter how hard either of you deny it, you love each other. I’ll be fucked if I know why you are both so hardheaded and not owning up to it.” She shook her head.

“Time waits for no one, Mom. Once it passes you by, you can never get it back. Don’t wake up when it’s too late. You’re worried Bogdan is the one who got shot. What if it was him, and he’s dying or already dead out there?” Vanya’s eyes sparked as Zafira turned pale. “Yeah, just imagine losing him without ever telling him how you feel or living with his lovemaking every moment of every day for the rest of your life? Wake up, Mam?, or the time will come that you will regret you never did.”

It was a vision that shook Zafira’s equilibrium. Even while Bogdan had been away, the days had been long and lonely, but she had always known he was there... somewhere, alive and within reach. All she had to do was call. He would’ve come without question.

Vanya was right. The time had come to put aside her pride. Life was giving her a second chance with Bogdan.

All she had to do was take it.