Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“How are you doing?” she asks, perching on the edge of the bed.
I’m about to reply when a flicker of movement catches my attention. I look across the room and meet Alexei’s gaze. His expression is dark and forbidding as he stands in the corner, observing the scene, keeping an eye on me lest I vanish from under his nose again.
Seeing him brings back all the emotions from our most recent confrontation, and I force myself to refocus on Chloe. So what if he’s watching us? I’m not plotting anything—at this moment, at least.
“You can see how I am,” I reply to her, pointedly not looking in Alexei’s direction. “Tell me, how is Slava?”
“He’s good. Missing you,” Nikolai says, coming to stand next to Chloe. He places his hand on her slim shoulder and moves his thumb over her nape in a massaging motion, as if he can’t bear not to touch her. Which he probably can’t.
My brother is beyond obsessed with his new wife.
“He wanted to come with us, but it wasn’t a good idea,” Chloe says, casting a wary look in Alexei’s direction.
I can tell she wants to drill me about him, and if we were alone, that’s exactly what she’d be doing right now. Alas, between my brothers and Alexei, we have zero privacy at the moment. Maybe I’ll ask her to help me to the bathroom in a bit and fill her in. That is, if Alexei doesn’t insist on accompanying me there instead.
For now, I keep the conversation focused on my nephew. “Is he making progress on his English?” I ask Chloe.
“Oh, definitely,” she replies. “I’ve been reading lots of English books with him, and he’s learned the names of all the animals. He’s also working on his numbers and colors in English, and in general, I’m pretty sure he understands close to ninety percent of what I say.”
“Good. I’m glad.” I glance up at Nikolai with a smile. “He’s becoming a little American. That’s what you wanted for him, isn’t it?”
My brother doesn’t reply. He’s busy shooting a murderous glare at Alexei, who’s watching the room from the corner with the same dark intensity as before. Only now, his right hand is inside his black leather jacket, and Valery is mimicking his stance, while Konstantin is tapping out prime numbers with his foot, the way he often does when things get tense.
Shit. Did I miss something, or is this an inevitable consequence of too much testosterone in one room?
Whatever the answer, I need to diffuse the situation. Fast.
“Don’t mind my husband,” I say a little louder so Alexei can definitely hear me. “He’s just being a bear because he’s worried about me. Isn’t that right, Lyosha?” I give Alexei a sugary smile as I use his brother’s childhood nickname for him.
Alexei’s gaze flickers toward me, and so does Nikolai’s. Valery doesn’t take his eyes off Alexei, but his hand leaves the inside of his jacket. A tense eyeblink later, Alexei drops his hand as well, and Konstantin stops tapping his foot.
I breathe out a sigh of relief. No idea what triggered the standoff, but cooler heads prevailed. Namely mine, which is literally cool where the bandage doesn’t cover my shaved skull.
Speaking of which… “Do you like my new hairstyle?” I ask Chloe brightly, figuring it’s best to just move on from whatever almost happened.
She cocks her head. “I do, actually. It’s very Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta. I’m curious to see how it’ll look without the bandage.”
“Hopefully, you’ll find out soon.” I glance at Alexei. “Did they say when they’ll take it off?”
“No, but I imagine it’ll be in a couple of weeks,” my husband replies, his tone cool and even as he eyes my brothers with unconcealed distrust.
“Will you still be here then?” I ask Nikolai. “How long are you guys visiting for?”
“Just a couple of days, unfortunately,” he answers. “We don’t want to leave Slava for too long.”
“Totally understandable,” I say. “I’m glad you guys came. Thank you for that.”
“Of course,” Chloe says and reaches over to squeeze my hand. “I’m so sorry this is happening to you. On top of… everything.” Her gaze strays to Alexei for a brief moment, and I know the questions are eating her alive.
“Will you help me to the bathroom?” I ask, deciding not to put it off any longer.
“I’ll do it,” Alexei says, immediately stepping forward, but I lift my hand, palm out.
“Please, I’d rather a woman do it.”
He narrows his eyes.
“I promise I’ll call out for you if I need any extra help.” He doesn’t look convinced, so I add in a softer tone, “Please, Alexei… I need this.”
Also, he knows the attached bathroom doesn’t have any windows, but I don’t point it out in case things get tense again.
His nostrils flare, but after a moment, he says, “I’ll help you to the door, and she can go in with you.”