Page 28 of Mafia Christmas Vows

“Ah, well. The storm will lift whenever the storm lifts. Until then, we can enjoy some of your favorite foods, no?”

I arch an eyebrow. “And did you also happen to get all the food to celebrate the holiday with?”

Elena waves her hand at me. “Oh, you know. It is the lady’s first time having Christmas in Russia. And the New Year. She hasn’t even experienced the Russian New Year. I will make sure she knows how wonderful it is,” she says with a smile.

My heart constricts, thinking of the holidays in front of me.

“It is okay to miss her, you know.”

I look over at Elena.

“You did not get the chance to miss her. Not right away. Your father… he took you quickly to his side.”

“He did what he needed to,” I respond stiffly.

Elena nods. “And may he rest in peace. But now, your father is gone too. You have the chance to remember her, to miss her. You have the chance to experience a new life, with your wife.”

I snort. “I don’t need a new life, Elena. I like mine?—”

“Perfectly well, I know. You don’t need to remind me,” she cuts me off. “But, darling, what if it was so much more than just perfectly well? What if you could have the peace that you once did?”

I glare at her. “I am at peace.”

“You are many things. I have not seen you at peace in many years.”

I growl. “Elena. I am who I am to protect the house and the family.”

She nods. “Maybe. But your father has given you the skills to navigate that. You have to decide who you are. Are you your father’s son? Or are you your mother’s?”

For some reason, that hits me somewhere in my chest.

I don’t respond.

Elena smiles. “I will make breakfast. The lady will be awake soon. She enjoys very sweet coffee, like all Americans.”

“Why do I need to know this?” I grumble, eyeing the expensive espresso machine that I brought to the house in an effort to modernize it.

“In case you wish to have a cup ready for her,” Elena winks.

She leaves the room.

I take a minute to stare at the machine, regarding the mugs next to it.

I don’t know how long she will be sleeping for. The kitchen is the informal place to take breakfast.

But, I suppose that I would like a coffee as well.

She enjoys very sweet coffee.

Fuck it.

Let us see how sweet the little American girl can be.

I have just finished making the latte when Magdalena walks in.

She freezes in the doorway, and I can tell in that moment that she is just as affected by the kiss as I was.

Or, that she’s perplexed to see me here.

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