Page 69 of Stolen Seconds

“What are you saying, then?”

“What do you want from me, Irina?” he asked exasperatedly. “Do you expect me to pick up my life and move to Russia to become the nextPakhan?To carryhisname when he couldn’t have been bothered to find me after all these years. To have saved me from what I endured as a child!”

His voice grew louder with each word, each one a whip on my skin from how tormented he appeared.

One day, I’d know his story—his past. I only hoped he would give us that time.

The word yes was on the tip of my tongue, if only to serve my own selfishness. If he went, I’d go with him. I wouldn’t leave him alone.

The small chance of succeeding in persuading him to come with me had become nonexistent.

In a final attempt, I made a decision.

“I can’t change the past, Nicolai or our fathers’ actions and for that, I am sorry.”

He removed his glasses and raked a hand across his face, causing his blond hair to become unruly.

“But I’m leaving Italy in two days. If you decide to seek answers about who you are, come with me.”

“I thought you were staying until Aurora’s birth?”

“I can’t.”

A quietness settled over us and if I stayed in this suffocating space of unsaid words, it’d consume me.

“You’ll always be my brother. . . Nico.”

I was nearly out the door when his soft voice reached me.

“Thank you for finding me.”

I sat in Aurora’s study with her and Roman, sipping on tea as I broke the news to them that I was leaving tomorrow.

“You know you aren’t a burden to us,” Aurora reassured me.

I smiled at her warmly, squeezing her hand. “I know. But it’s time for me to figure out my life.”

“Well, we’ll be waiting for you when our little one is born,” Roman chimed in, his gaze flicking to me in what could only be described as affinity. “I’m sure he’d love to meet his aunt.”

These two had become the closest thing to a real family for me and here I was tarnishing it.

“I’d really love to meet him too,” I whispered, emotion thick in my throat. But the chances of that were slim to none when I’d have to force Nicolai in coming to Russia.

I hadn’t told my father that this mission had failed, but I knew once I did, he’d be more ruthless in getting him back.

War was on the horizon, just like Viktor had said.

“I think we should throw a farewell dinner and invite everyone.” Aurora became giddy, and I laughed at her sudden appreciation for extravagant parties. She loved spending her husband’s money, and he loved showering her with it.

“That’s not necessary.”

I didn’t want to face Luca, even though a part of me was disappointed that he hadn’t sought me out after thatnight he held me as if I was the most important thing to him.

“It is,” Aurora sang, reaching over and hugging me, her cinnamon scent reminding me of home. “When it’s for my favorite friend.”

“Oh?” I drawled. “Who are these other friends you have?”

“I’d like to know too,” Roman said, a spark of mischievousness roaming in his obsidian eyes as he stared at his wife. “Might give them a personal visit to become acquainted with my gun.”

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