Page 63 of Claim

We’re both somber when I push my office door open.

A sea of wide eyes stares back before an explosion of noise crashes over us.

“You’re alive!” Nikolai is the loudest, nearly overshadowed by Alexei’s cackle from the back of the room.

“Mikhail!” Lara clutches her fingers to her mouth, her eyes flicking between me and Ana. “Who is this?”

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my wife, Ana.” I search until I find Jax standing to the side. “Her father is Sergy.”

Nikolai is the first to pause. “Wait. As in, Katerina’s father?”

I watch his face run through the gambit of emotions. Mila places her palm on his shoulder.

“I didn’t know she had a sister,” he says quietly, then holds his hand out to Ana. “Welcome to the family you didn’t know you had. Your older sister was my wife, Elena, my daughter, is your niece. I’ll bring her by to meet you.”

Ana’s head turns quickly to me before a flood of tears bursts over her cheeks. “I had a sister? I have a niece?”

“I’ll do you one better,” Jax says hoarsely as he pushes his way forward. “I’m your brother.” His tongue bar clicks behind his teeth while he stands awkwardly.

Lara slumps to the cushions with Alexei sitting next to her. “This is all so much!” A wild smile flickers across her lips.

Sofia gasps watching Jax and Ana hug, then claps happily. Her own face has a broad grin while she wipes her cheeks.

Nikolai comes and pats me roughly on the arm. “You’re gonna have to fill me in one of these days.”

Enzo pushes closer. “Mikhail. I need to talk to you.” He glances at the rest of the room. “Alone.”

I nod, and squeeze Ana’s hand before letting her go.

She has a lot to get caught up on.

Enzo leads me into Lara’s office next door.

“I had to make a call while you were settling in.” He calmly folds his hands. “Zoya reached out yesterday while you were in the air. Ivan’s men have rooted her out, and she needed an emergency evac.”

I can feel my face twist beneath my mask.

Why do I have my doubts? The timing is just too coincidental.

“Where did you put her? Is Galena safe?” My fingers tighten into fists.

Zoya is a frustration I fear I’ll never be rid of.

First it was the requests for more money. Then begging to leave.

Now this?

“Yea, they’re fine. They should be getting settled in their rooms here as we speak.” His dark eyes narrow. “She’s making a fuss about not being comfortable here, though. She keeps saying she needs to see you.”

Fucking Zoya is pulling me away from Ana’s biggest moment in our family.

“She can wait.” I set my shoulders and head back to my office.

I haven’t seen my siblings in weeks. I’ll deal with Zoya tomorrow.

CHAPTER 29

ANASTASIA

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