Page 188 of The Lazarov Bratva

Drinking deeply, I close my eyes, and for a moment, I pretend I’m just a regular man. Just a normal guy with a normal job, a normal pregnant girlfriend, and the biggest stress in our life is the Homeowner’s Association complaining about the height of our hedge. Never did I think I would entertain the calmness of a normal life, but I also never saw myself becoming a father.

Funny how things work out.

The chill of the water spreads through my chest like the roots of a tree, and I settle back, content to listen to the ongoing discussion.

Suddenly, Alena turns to me with her eyes wide. “Oh, my God, what about a wall mural? Something large with lots of animals! Then there’s lots of color and it’s fun to look at, and we can keep adding to it over the years?”

“Yes!” Katja smiles.

Out of all their ideas, that’s definitely my favorite. “Maybe a sea life mural?”

“Perfect!” Alena squeals, and then her eyes suddenly sparkle with tears, pulling at the concern in my chest.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing! Sorry, I was just…” She dabs at her eyes and sniffles. “Just thinking of the first time we take our baby to the beach. How cute she’ll look in a tiny little swimsuit!”

The concern fades, and I smile, resting back in my chair.

Cute indeed.

* * *

“You promise you won’t kill this one?” Alena asks, popping a grape into her mouth as I set the empty glasses in the sink.

“I promise. Besides, August would have my head if I offed his wife.”

We’d spent the afternoon with Alena getting a check-up from a new doctor, one I knew we could trust because she’s August’s wife. She’s just as full of life and joy as August is, and it’s easy to see how they’d been together for so many years. She was kind with Alena too, and she answered all her questions and concerns with a cheery smile.

The check-up had turned into an impromptu dinner, and I’d been graced with the loving sight of just how drawn August was to Alena. They talked in depth about his work here in Russia, as well as what his Family did to support the Orlova Family as a whole. She was saddened to hear how much he had suffered ever since the battle for territory over the port had happened, and even with the relief I offered when making that deal with the Irish, things had been tough.

They spoke for hours. August treated Alena as if she were his own daughter, and Alena seemed to drink it up happily. He’s a warm and powerful man, and having him in our corner is the biggest blessing I can ask for. The smile on her face warmed my heart all through dinner, and it lingers now even as we clear up.

“I’m going to go escort them out,” Alena says, standing on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek. “Thank you.”

“What for?” I ask, searching for anything I’ve done to deserve it this time, but nothing comes to mind.

“Just being you.” She smiles.

“Hmm. Alright. Meet me in the conservatory after?”

Alena nods and hurries away to say a final goodbye to August and his wife as they leave. I focus on cleaning up, enjoying the calmness that settles over me as I work. I could call someone to help, but given how nice this day has been, it slots right into my new quiet fantasy of being a regular guy.

And a regular guy cleans up after his guests leave.

I abandon that regular guy when I arrive in the conservatory and seek out the sleek black box I hid in the book stack earlier that day. While dinner with August and his wife had been a spur of the moment decision, my surprise for Alena had been planned for a few weeks now, and August had kindly delivered it while his wife was busy with Alena.

The box rests lightly in my hand as the soft click of heels on the wooden floor grows louder by the second. Then, Alena peeks around the door and her face melts into a wide smile when she sees me.

“Did you have a nice time?” she asks, walking closer.

“Of course. You and August seem to be hitting it off.”

“He’s so lovely.” She nods. “I didn’t realize, I think, because the last time I met him properly, we were all so worked up. But he’s so lovely. Strong, too, and his wife?” Alena whistles softly. “He’s a lucky guy.”

“And he knows it,” I remark.

“It’s weird, though, in a way.” Alena comes to a stop next to me. “It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the bad and forget that we have people here for us, y’know? That we have friends and support.”

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