Page 10 of Twisted Princess

“I have some friends coming to take you both home.” I meet Gabby’s eyes but keep my radar up for any sign of movement from Akim. “Once we’re finished with lunch, I need to go to work. But maybe I can bring you both back to the park another day. You can play then.”

“Okay,” Gabby agrees, her heart-shaped face splitting into a happy smile.

Mel’s eyes find mine over her daughter’s dark head of curls, and her look is grateful. Her arm wraps protectively around the little girl’s waist, and I know Mel’s instinct to keep her safe is on overdrive despite her attempt to look casual.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and when I pull it out, Denka’s text informs me that they’re approaching from the north, ETA, two minutes.

“Help me throw the trash away?” I suggest to Gabby.

She nods and accepts the single container I hand her before I take the containers from Mel’s hands. Mel reads my silent signal, scooping Gabby into her arms to ensure we stay together. Then, we rise from the bench to carry our trash to the nearest bin.

Akim moves in tandem, beginning his approach now that he sees we’re on the move. His reaction triggers one from another of my brothers, Edik, who’s just to the south of us. Edik’s grown into himself since the last time I saw him. Nearly ten years younger than me, he was just a kid the last time I saw him, but I still recognize his face beneath the facial hair that now darkens his chin.

He must have just graduated my father’s program and taken a job with the Kellys.

“Gleb,” Mel whispers as we toss our trash. A hint of panic lifts her voice.

“I know,” I assure her. Then I jerk my head in a northerly direction.

Mel’s long steps are sharp against the pavement, her heels noisily calling attention to her distress. I don’t know how else to assure her, so I rest a palm on the base of Mel’s spine, steadying her. A sharp breath rushes past her lips, but her shoulders relax minutely.

Then Lev and Denka’s familiar figures appear around the bend.

“Bratok,” Lev greets me with a nod, then his eyes follow Denka’s to land on Mel and her little girl. “Good to see you, Melody. It’s been a long time.”

“You have no idea how happy I am to see you right now,” she says, her tone rich with relief.

Despite myself, a stab of jealousy lances through my chest. Happy to see Lev specifically? Or relieved that he’s here to help? The emotion is irrational and entirely out of place, given the circumstances. But when it comes to Mel, I can’t seem to find my typical iron grasp on my feelings. With her, I’m constantly at war with myself.

Before my inner turmoil can get out of control, however, Mel turns her eyes back to me, their fathomless onyx filled with concern instead of fear. “I don’t want to leave you,” she murmurs, her eyes flicking behind us toward the approaching men. “There’s two of them now.”

Gabby twists in her arms as if to see what “them” her mother is talking about. But she stays silent and watchful, suddenly shy in front of Lev and Denka.

“I know,” I say again. “I can handle myself.”

Mel nods, a silent confirmation to remind me that she’s seen what I can do. But beneath her acknowledgment is a reticence that reminds me of the last time I went head-to-head with my brothers in her presence. When fighting four-on-one, I couldn’t gain the upper hand, and I imagine that fight is replaying itself in her mind right now.

“What if Gabby and I just wait here? Lev and Denka can wait with us and come help if you need it…” Mel’s white teeth sink into her full lower lip as her dark eyes grow glassy with unshed tears.

I glance back at my brothers, who have slowed their approach now that they see my new arrivals. That alone tells me it’s just the two of them. If we were still outnumbered, they wouldn’t hesitate.

With a curt nod, I turn my eyes to my men. “If this goes south, you’re to take Mel and Gabby and leave immediately,” I say to Lev.

“Bratok,” they agree with a nod of acknowledgment.

I steal one last glance at Mel and Gabby, then turn and stalk cooly toward Akim. Edik’s pace increases as his track shifts, making a beeline for me. And though my muscles bunch in preparation for a fight, I keep my shoulders relaxed, my pace a casual stroll.

“You’re pretty far south of Boston,” I observe as the distance between me and Akim dissipates. “You finally decide to take a vacation from that filthy hole-in-the-wall club?”

Akim scoffs, and when he answers, it’s in Russian, so he won’t have to beat around the bush in our public location. “You know why I’m here. I’ve been sent to collect Vinny’s girl and bring her home. You know better than to believe she can just up and leave her fiancé. He’s a Kelly—Keogahan’s cousin, no less—and he has powerful connections who will not permit that kind of disrespect.”

Edik arrives then, stopping as he comes to stand beside Akim.

I ignore Akim’s statement, turning my attention to my younger brother instead. “You’ve grown up, baby brother.” I maintain our mother tongue as I eye Edik up and down because I know this could get hostile fast.

“And you’ve gotten old.” The vitriol in his tone alerts me to the fact that it’s not a playful jab.

I chuckle humorously. “Don’t underestimate your elders, brother. I assure you, your inexperience is a bigger handicap than my arthritic knees.” Then I turn my eyes back to Akim. “As for taking Mel back, it’s not going to happen. Besides, you’re too late. She already married me, so her Irish fiancé can go fuck himself. She’s no longer his to claim.”

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