Possess Me by Michelle Heard
Chapter 44
Everleigh
Lifting Vincent out of his car seat, I set him down so he can run to the playground, where Jonas is waiting for him.
“I have a Daddy,” he shouts for everyone to hear.
Grinning from ear to ear, I walk to where Rosalie is sitting on a bench.
I take a moment to peek into the stroller and brush my hand over Roman’s hair. “Hi, sweetie.”
He’s chewing on a teething ring looking content to be at the park.
Smiling at Rosalie, I say, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“I’ve only just gotten here.” Her eyes scan my face. “It feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you. How are you doing?”
Has it been that long?
After doing a quick calculation, I chuckle, “It’s been three days.”
“When you’re worried about your friend, it’s an eternity,” she mutters.
To put her at ease, I say, “I’m good, Rosalie. There’s no need to worry.”
A smile brightens her face. “So, I’ve noticed Alek’s hardly home. Is there something you want to share?”
I check on Vincent, and when I see him on the jungle gym with Jonas, I turn my attention back to my friend.
“Alek and I talked about everything.”
She lifts her eyebrows, giving me an impatient look.
“Things are good between us.”
“And?” She gestures with her hand for me to share more.
“We kissed.”
Well, we did more than kiss, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Rosalie lets out a happy shriek, startling the other mothers. “I’m so happy to hear that! How was it?”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “It was really good.” I widen my eyes. “Like mindblowing good.”
“Eeek…I’m so happy for you.” She scoots closer. “Are you a couple?”
I nod, and it has her grabbing my arm. “This is the best news. I was worried things wouldn’t work out.”
“I just needed time to adjust.” I glance at Vincent again. “It was actually easier than I thought it would be to pick up where we left off.”
“Has he asked you to move in with him? It would be so awesome to be neighbors.”
I shake my head at her. “He asked, but I said no. It’s not that I don’t want to live with him. I’m just apprehensive about the whole bratva thing.”
A look of understanding settles in Rosalie’s eyes. “It can be a little intimidating at first, but there’s nowhere you’ll be safer. I promise.” She gives me a hopeful look. “We’re having a BBQ on Saturday to welcome you to the fold. I think it will be a good opportunity to meet everyone.”
Crap.
I glance at Vincent again as I think about the invite. The bratva is an integral part of Alek’s life. There’s no avoiding them.
And I really like Rosalie.
Turning my gaze back to my friend, I nod. “We’ll be there.”
She lets out another shriek. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”
“Who will I meet?” I ask, wanting to be prepared.
“Alexei and Isabella. My in-laws. I’m pretty sure Mariya and Luca will also be there. And their twins, of course.”
“Who are Maryia and Luca?”
“Maryia is Alexei’s daughter, and Luca is the head of the Italian mafia.”
My eyebrows fly up. “Just great. The bratva and the mafia.”
“You’ll see, we’re all normal people like you.”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
When Alek steers the G-Wagon through the iron gates of the estate, I’m once again struck by how huge and extravagant the grounds and mansions are.
There’s a stretch of lawn between two mansions, a fountain in the middle. Everyone’s already sitting on lawn chairs, and I see Viktor is busy setting up a grill.
“You okay?” Alek asks.
“Yeah.”
Not really, but I’ll fake it until I make it.
He brings the vehicle to a stop, and we all climb out.
Before I can take Vincent’s hand, he runs toward Roman, who’s standing on wobbly legs next to Rosalie’s chair.
My gaze touches on a beautiful woman who looks more like a queen than anything else. Next to her sits a man who, I guess, is Luca. He lets out a bark of laughter when Alexei says something to him.
One of the older women spots me, and getting up, she walks toward us.
Holy crap.
She moves with so much grace I feel a little intimidated.
“This must be Everleigh. I’ve heard so much about you.” She gives me a comforting smile, and surprisingly it sets me at ease. “I’m Isabella. Alexei’s wife.”
We shake hands. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
If I remember correctly, she rescues sex slaves.
“I’ve heard amazing things about you,” I add.
“Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” As we walk toward the group, she calls out, “Everleigh is here.”
Everyone’s attention turns to me, and I feel like a bug under a microscope.
Alek places his hand on my lower back, and I move closer to his side.
Isabella gestures at one person at a time. “This is my daughter, Mariya, and my son-in-law, Luca.”
“Hi.” My stomach is a tight ball of nerves.
She moves on to another couple. “This is Viktor’s father, Demitri, and his wife, Ariana.”
“Hi.” I squeak again. I clear my throat before saying, “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“You’ve met everyone else,” Isabella says, but then she adds, “Oh wait. Those two are my grandsons, Alex and Lucian. Alex has the same name as my husband, so to avoid confusion, we shortened his name.”
“Got it.”
Rosalie gets up, and giving me a wide smile, she comes to hug me. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I almost chickened out a couple of times,” I admit.
“Come sit by me.”
I’m pulled toward an open chair, and as I take a seat, I smile at Alexei and Viktor. “Thank you for having me over.”
“You’re welcome, little one,” Alexei says.
Alek asks Viktor, “Anything I can help with?”
“Sit and take a load off,” his boss orders.
Alexei takes a seat to my right, shifting his chair closer. “I hear you have a bookstore?”
“Yes, I opened it before Vincent was born.”
“I take it you like to read?”
I nod. “I love books.”
“What’s your favorite?”
I frown at the man like he's lost his mind. “It’s impossible to choose a favorite.”
“Okay.” I see a teasing glint in his eyes. “Give me your top five.”
“You’re torturing her, Alexei,” Alek chuckles.
“I know,” Alexei admits. “It’s fun.”
I shake my head at the retired bratva boss. “What’s your favorite book?”
“The Art of War,” he answers without hesitating.
“Why am I not surprised,” I mutter.
“Would you like something to drink?” Viktor asks me.
“Ahh…what do you have?”
“Everything.”
“A glass of wine would be nice. Semi-sweet?”
I watch as he walks to a table with various drinks available, and on the spur of the moment, I get up and join him.
“I’ll just grab a soda for Vincent,” I say. Picking up the bottle, I pour some into a red solo cup. My eyes dart to Viktor, who’s focused on pouring wine into a glass.
“Is there something you want to ask?”
“Ahh…”
His eyes flick to me.
“Can you give it to me straight? How dangerous will it be for Vincent and me if I continue this relationship with Alek?”
Viktor turns his body toward me, a serious expression on his face. “You’ll be safe here, but I can’t guarantee the same should you decide to stay in your house. You’re an easy target on your own.”
“In other words, move in as quickly as possible?”
He nods. “The sooner, the better. For your safety and Alek’s sanity. He’s been through hell the past four years. I’ve never seen him this happy, Everleigh. There’s no reason to fight the inevitable.”
True.
“I just wanted to make sure about the safety issue.”
He gestures at his family. “You’re part of the family. I promise nothing will happen to you.” He pauses momentarily, then adds, “As long as you don’t do something stupid.”
Is that a threat?
“Like?”
“Like run off on your own. Always take your guards with you.”
“I only have Peter,” I mention.
“You’ll have more,” he assures me. “Alek is important to me, and I’d like to keep him sane, so your safety is a priority.”
Oh, wow.
“Do you feel better?” he asks.
I nod quickly. “Yes. Thank you for answering my questions.”
I take the cup of soda to Vincent and watch as he drinks some before I say, “I’ll keep the cup by me, baby. Just come take a sip when you’re thirsty.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
When I take my seat again, I glance at Alek. He winks at me, a grin tugging at his mouth.
“What did you and Viktor talk about?” Rosalie asks.
“Our safety should Vincent and me move here.”
A happy smile forms on her face. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be so awesome. Let me know if you need help packing your belongings.”
I get the feeling if I give Alek and Rosalie half a chance, they’d have us moved in before the sun sets.
I have to admit, though. It’s nice having people in my life who care about me.
