Page 13 of Possession of the Bratva

Tasha nodded, and we headed downstairs.

As we descended Mila came out of the hallway leading to the dining room. “Dinner is served,” she said, smiling. She turned and walked back with all of us in tow. Mila sat down in her place, and I took mine as it should be.

Maybe this was what was bothering my brother, I thought as Anton sat on my right. Mila was younger than him, yet she was now part of the heads. Abram took his place on my left. To my surprise, Tasha and Akim joined Mila, each sitting to one side of her.

The maids came out with our dinner. After opening the bottle of wine and tasting it, they poured some for all of us. Dinner started with an awkward silence.

After a bite or two, Anton cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “What do you do at the organization, Mila?” he inquired, looking towards her.

Mila smiled, whipped her mouth, and responded in a plain yet friendly tone. “I realized you are all interested to learn more about me and my family. I am also eager to get to know all of you. I gather information.”

She sat back, sipping at her wine before continuing. “Our operations, I am sure, are very similar to yours. We mainly retrieve information and offer specific services where needed.”

“Sorry for asking,” Akim added. “But I was wondering. None of you look alike. How are you related?”

Mila laughed softly. “Yes, we are not related. Good observation, Akim. You should come to work for us.”

“Hey, slow down there,” Anton interrupted abruptly.

“I’m just joking,” Mila replied slightly defensively.

Raising my voice, I spoke in an authoritative tone. “Calm down now; it’s just a conversation.”

Mile nodded at me as she turned her attention back to Akim. “We were in the same orphanage. As we grew, so did our bond. We are as close to each other as you all are, even if we aren’t related by blood. I can’t think of them in any other way than my brothers.”

I could see Akim and Tasha were both moved by her answer, if their looks were anything to go by. She kept amazing me with each step of this journey. Yet, I still wondered what she was planning.

Tasha reached out and touched her arm, drawing Mila’s attention promptly. “You’re a hacker, right?” she asked softly.

Mila returned her eager smile as she nodded.

“What type of systems do you love using most?” Tasha added.

It was like seeing a light being turned on as it dawned on Mila, who Tasha was. Her entire body seemed to be energized as she replied. “You’re the other hacker?” Mila’s eyebrows raised as she spoke in amazement.

There was an instant click between the two of them, which made me a little uncomfortable. Mila was mine, how dare Tasha connect with her before I could? I felt my jealousy igniting as I watched them whispering to each other. There were smiles, grins, and even laughter in between. I wanted to be the one to share her laughter, to make her smile.

I couldn’t hear everything they were saying, but I didn’t like being excluded. Maybe a friendship with Tasha was what she needed though. Anton speaking to me pulled my attention off them. “Will you be at the meeting next week?” he asked quietly.

Looking at him, I shook my head, hoping to clear the invading thoughts. Mila and Tasha looked like long-lost friends. “Yes, it’s vital to secure that deal,” I mumbled, half-distracted.

“You were always better at negotiations than any of us. I just had to make sure.” I heard him saying. Looking down at my plate, I realized I had barely touched my food. It was cold at this point, but I no longer felt hungry.

As the maids cleared the table, I wanted my siblings to leave. I wanted to be alone with Mila. But as she stood and spoke, I realized that wasn’t going to happen. “You want a goodnight drink?”

Tasha and Akim agreed eagerly. Anton and Abram looked at me before responding. I nodded as I could not chase them out. Tasha and Mila walked out ahead to the entertainment room, chatting up a storm. Akim and Abram were on their heels while Anton walked with me behind them.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm the storm starting up inside. By the time we entered the entertainment room, all my siblings except for Anton were hanging on Mila’s every word.

I was glad she was settling in. But her friendliness and openness with them just made me more upset. Standing at the bar with Anton, I tried listening to his ramblings. But my attention wasn’t on him.

Mila and my other siblings were talking and laughing. They were sharing funny stories about their youth. This was a side of Mila I had not known existed. After a couple of drinks, I decided I had seen enough.

Coughing, I drew everyone’s attention. “This was a lovely evening,” I stated. “But tomorrow is a workday, and I think it’s time to head home, don’t you?”

Tasha and Abram checked their watches before rising. “Yeah, I guess,” Tasha said, turning to Mila who was standing behind her. “We will chat again,” she added, hugging Mila.

I watched as Abram and Akim also bid her goodnight before we headed out of the room. Anton just nodded as he passed her. Mila smiled. “Goodnight, drive safe,” I heard her add as we headed to the staircase.

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