Page 79 of 10 Days to Surrender

“Your last ‘surprise’ ended up with me kneeling in the dirt for a week straight.”

“And now, look at the beauty we get to feast our eyes on every single day!” she crows, throwing a hand to the window. Through it, I see a wide field of tilled dirt, with little green leaves sticking up like pubes.

“Truly a sight to see,” I mumble. “As tempted as I am by today’s offer, though, I’ll pass.”

She comes over and tweaks my nose. “No, little missy, you shallnotpass,” she says in her best Gandalf impression. “This surprise is unpassable. Impassable? No, unpassable. Final answer.”

“You’re scaring me, Jazzy.”

“Don’t be scared! Beexcited!” She rubs my shoulders, probably to butter me up. Unfortunately, it’s a highly effective negotiation tactic, because they’ve been aching.

“What kind of surprise are we talking about, specifically?” I ask.

She dances around me, eyes lighting up. “The kind that involves you doing your best Tyra Banks smizing while looking absolutely gorgeous with that pwecious widdle baby bump of yours!”

The piece of toast I’m holding freezes halfway to my mouth. “What?”

“A maternity shoot!” She’s practically vibrating with excitement. “I hired a guy named Giovanni that I met in the village last week. He’s the best photographer in the region. He’s done work forVogue Italia!”

I’m not sure which word summoned Sasha from the cellar, where he’s been working on the generator again. I’m guessing it was “guy,” not “Vogue Italia,” but then again, the man is full of surprises.

Whichever the case, he looks unpleased.

“Absolutely not,” he thunders. “Cancel it.”

“No can do,” trills Jasmine. “The deposit has already been paid.”

“Then unpay it. I’m not having an outsider here. Much less an outsider taking pictures of us.”

“Oh, relax.” Jasmine waves him off. “Kosti recommended him. Right, Uncle?”

Kosti looks up from his newspaper, cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. “Giovanni’s good people. Done work for me before. Very discreet.”

“See? It’s all coming together.” Jasmine turns those pleading eyes on me. “Plus, he’s kinda, sorta on his way here. ETA one hour, tops.”

“Anhour?” I splutter. “Jas, I’m wearing Kosti’s old overalls and haven’t washed my hair in two days!”

“That’s why I’m telling you now.” She grins. “Plenty of time to make yourself presentable.”

“I said no.” Sasha’s jaw is clenched. “It’s not happening.”

“Oh, let them have this.” Mama materializes behind him with fresh coffee. “When was the last time I saw my daughter photographed, hm? And now, with the babies coming…” She trails off meaningfully.

I watch Sasha’s resolve crumble under the combined weight of Jasmine’s puppy eyes and Mama’s guilt trip. It’s kind of impressive, actually. They’ve got him completely unraveled.

“Fine,” he growls finally. “But I’m running a background check first.”

“Already did,” Kosti pipes up helpfully. “Clean as a whistle.”

Sasha glowers at him. “Whose side are you on?”

“The side of preserving precious memories.” Kosti folds his paper with a flourish. “Now, shall we discuss wardrobe options for our lovely mother-to-be?”

I groan and drop my head into my hands. “I hate all of you.”

But Jasmine is already dragging me toward the stairs, chattering about lighting and angles and the importance of capturing this magical time in my life. Behind us, I hear Sasha muttering darkly in Russian.

He can grumble all he wants. We both know he’s powerless here. As am I. We’re just collateral damage in a well-meaning conspiracy.

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