Page 61 of Doc

I shake my head. “You know that’s a lie. Papa will hunt me down if I don’t show up.”

“Well, he’ll certainly zero in on the fact you’re trying to hide something if you don’t chill the fuck out,” he snaps. “Hold still.” He bats my hands away from my tie and straightens it. “There, let’s go.”

Silently, I follow Dima out of my apartment and down to his car. He’s right in that my father will know I’m hiding something from him, and he’ll make it his life’s mission to figure out what. Nikolai Petrov finding out about my boy is the last thing I need.

I trust Doc can look after himself—he wouldn’t have been able to stay with the Amatos for so long if not—and he hasJames, but that doesn’t mean I won’t do everything in my power to protect him from my family.

Dmitri drives us to my uncle’s estate and I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing nerves. I know how to face my family, but the stakes have never been higher. Now, I have something to protect from them, aside from myself.

“Thanks for doing this with me,” I say as Dima starts up the winding driveway of my uncle’s house.

“Of course. Who else would come? Nico?” he scoffs and it makes me chuckle.

“Vonny did okay last time, mainly because Papa refused to speak to him.”

I’d like to say my father isn’t usually a rude asshole, but that wouldn’t be true. Not that Donovan cared. He would have been content to pretend he was ignorant to the world around him, except my uncle and cousin didn’t have a problem drawing him into conversation.

The only reason he didn’t get voluntold to come this time is because he already had plans with his study group. And Dominic can never come with me unless he wants to break his own heart, since my cousin David is his ex-boyfriend.

That left Dmitri. I know he doesn’t mind, and it’s nothing I wouldn’t do for any of them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty for taking up his evening.

When we’re out of the car, I straighten out my suit jacket and take a deep breath. Dima sidles up to me and links our arms together. “Into the firing squad we go,” he says cheerfully, pulling me up the steps.

I snort but allow him to escort me to the front door, which is opened by one of my uncle’s staff members.

So much of this is reminiscent of my first interview with Cristian Amato, and I smile to myself, because I knew that daywas going to change my life, I just didn’t know how much until recently.

David meets us in the foyer, his grin is bright and the hug he gives me is tight, as if we haven’t seen each other in years rather than months.

“Good to see you, Sory.”

“You too, Davidik.” I lower my voice. “How is he?”

“Eh.” He shrugs. “You know Uncle Nisha, he’s more bluster than anything. But come, it is best not to keep them waiting. Besides, dinner is almost ready.”

“Great.”

Dima and I let David lead us further into the house, towards my uncle’s study, where he and my father are waiting.

“Papa, look who I found loitering outside,” David says with a grin.

My uncle stands and I bow my head because, though I’m no longer part of his Bratva, manners were drilled into me from a young age.

“Come here, Sory,” Uncle Ivan says.

I meet his dark eyes and smile when he does, stepping forward to hug him.

“How are you doing, my boy?” he asks quietly in my ear.

“I am well, Dyadya, and you?”

“Good, good. I've been busy with the new club opening, and sourcing a new supplier, but all in a day’s work, you know. I hope Cristian and his Family are treating you well?”

“They are, I’m very happy there.”

“Excellent, I knew you would fit in.”

Uncle Ivan releases me and turns to Dima. “And it’s a pleasure to have a Novikov in my home as well.”

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