Page 5 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

“My only regret now is never teaching you Russian,” she says, biting her lip.

I wave my hand at her. “Mom, the majority of the people I’ll be spending my time with are American anyway. I’ll pick up what I need to. And anyway, they say the best way to learn a language is full immersion, so I’ve got that covered.” I force a laugh. I’m skilled at medicine and particularly good at all things science, but linguistics, not so much. Lydia got all those genes.

I am admittedly a little nervous that I don’t speak the language, but I only found out two weeks ago I was accepted into the program because of an additional grant. There was no time to learn the language.

My mother never taught me Russian because she hates my father. That’s no secret. So she did her best to make sure that I was fully raised American in every way she could. A descendant of Polish immigrants, my mother had no use for the Russian language, and my father is too self-absorbed and absent to ever really care.

Mom reaches for the bag. “Oh, Mom, not that one. It’s got my books in it, and it’s so heavy.”

She strains under the weight but winks at me. “It’s fine. Go on, now. Let’s go see your grandmother.”

“Mom, seriously. Take the lighter one.”

I manage to wrestle the heavy bag out of her hands and cajole her into taking the backpack.

“Alright, alright,” she says. “Let’s get these downstairs. I have something to tell you before you go.” When she doesn’t meet my eyes, my curiosity is piqued.

I carry two of my bags to the bottom of the stairs then go back for the remaining two. When my father’s here, he prefers to have hired staff help with things like this, but when he’s gone, Mom dismisses all staff. I like to be as normal as possible and don’t want to draw unwanted attention to myself.

“What did you need to tell me?” I ask as we head to the living room, where I’ll be able to see when the Uber arrives and can visit with my grandmother before I go.

“Your father called this morning,” she says, walking beside me and not meeting my eyes.

“Yes? Does he want to meet me at the airport? Go out to dinner when I arrive?” I roll my eyes. He likes to pretend he’s a doting father, but she and I both know better. He’ll do neither of those things.

“No,” she says carefully. “He. . . he’s insisting you have a bodyguard while you’re traveling.”

My jaw drops open, and I freeze in place as I stare at her. “What?”

Mom’s kind blue eyes grow concerned, and her brows draw together, the lines around her mouth softening. “I tried to talk him out of it because I know how you are, Vera. I know how badly you want to have your independence. But he says Moscow isn’t safe, and he insists.” She looks away and finally admits in a little voice. “And I have to agree, he’s right. It isn’t safe. I’ll feel so much better knowing you’re under the protection of someone when you’re not with me or your father.”

I stare at her. “Mom! I can’t have a bodyguard. I’m a grad student! I don’t want anyone to know where I come from or who I really am.”

Her eyes narrow at that, and she stands taller. “You be proud of who you are, Vera Ivanova. You got into this program of your own volition, with no interference from your father. I saw to that. No one needs to know who your father is.”

“So I just show up with a bodyguard and people won’t think anything of it? There are only five of us in the program!” I stifle a groan, tempted to moan out loud like a thwarted teen. This is the worst possible news.

“You’ll find a way to keep your distance. No one will even know he’s with you. He can stand far away from you and only stay there in case of emergency.”

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Is there anything I can say to change his mind?”

Mom sighs. “No, especially because, in this instance, I agree with him. Now, go honey. See your grandma before your ride gets here.”

With a sigh, I enter the living room. Grandma sits ramrod straight, a teacup in hand. Her eyes twinkle at me, and she pats the seat beside her with an impish little smile. “Vera,” she says in her wobbly voice, her accent thick. “Maybe he’ll be handsome. You can tell me all about it and give an old lady a chance to live vicariously for once. Now come in here and tell me all about it.” She wags a well-manicured red nail at me. “And don’t argue with your mother before you’re on your way over the Big Pond.”

I kiss Grandma’s cheeks and take a seat next to her. “I’m not arguing with her, I just?—”

“I know what arguing sounds like,” Grandma says, taking another sip of tea. Her eyes harden. “Don’t argue with your mother.”

I stifle a groan. These two are my biggest supporters, so when I don’t have their backing, I don’t stand a chance. I lived a sheltered life for so long and hoped this would be my first chance to escape the confines of my strict upbringing.

I close my mouth and don’t talk back because what’s even the point now? My ride is on the way and when I get to the airport, I’m going to meet him. My new bodyguard. If he’s anything like my father’s past guards, I know exactly what to expect. To put it mildly, Grandma will be sorely disappointed by the ‘handsome bodyguard.’

“So tell me, Vera. Tell me everything you’ll be doing.”

I can’t help but smile. This is my jam. “I’ll be at the Advanced Academy of Biomedical Research and Innovation in Moscow for the next six months?—”

“It’s exclusive,” Mom interrupts. “They’ve combined cutting-edge medical research with practical field study.” I hide a smirk. Mom studied the program guide back and forward. “Her grad studies are paid in full because she’s a genius, matka.”

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