Page 46 of Vulnerate

SEVENTEEN

Daniela

My hands are sweating, and I keep checking the bags to make sure they’re right. I don’t know what to buy a nephew I’ve never met before and decided on a bunch of random shit to suit any interest he could possibly have. Val’s rude ass message only gave an “okay” and nothing else. The self-righteous prick doesn’t even care about what he did. He can fuck himself and be an asshole as much as he wants, I’m not going anywhere.

Driving towards the Vartanov’s I let the new scenery distract me. Their house in the city was huge but this is ridiculous in comparison. There are no neighbors and the road leading to their estate is private with a guardhouse.Intrigue chases away my nerves as we approach stables. Looking at Tali with a what the fuck expression, he wags his eyebrows twice acting smug.

“Told you to stick with me, didn’t I, my precious Dani?”

His offer of sharing his snacks when we were kids isn’t the same as owning horses and ponies. It makes sense in a way that’s confusing, I can imagine Val mounted on top of a horse with his strong shouldersback and filled with authority. The handsome prick would be calendar worthy.

I realize I’ve went slightly overboard as I get out of the car and all of the bags in my hand are only half of the shit I bought. It didn’t seem like a lot when I was shopping but Tali has the other half, and my fingers are stinging from the pressure of the handles digging into my skin. He’s babbling away trying to chase away my nervousness that increases with each step. Vlad’s deadly instruction not to mention Carly is repeating in my head. She must see him, even if it’s rare. I can’t imagine a world where she’s abandoned him completely.

Standing outside the stables while Tali collects his nephew, I can hear the happiness in his little voice. I expect a mini version of Carly to walk out but his features are a mix of both of his parents. Other than his eyes which are exactly like Val’s. The dark hair is his too, but he has Carly’s smile, the one she’d give to get out of any shit she caused is on his little face.

I wipe my hand on my thigh before holding it out dumbly and my voice is filled with formalities. “Hello, I’m Daniela.”

I never use my full name but how do I introduce myself?

Oh hi, I’m your aunt. I was kind of in love with your dad when you were conceived and then your mother lied to get me to leave. Sorry I haven’t been around.

I have decades on him, and my mind feels like it’s going to explode trying to understand my life.

He takes my hand with a smirk and acts too mature.

“I’m Viktor. Tali said you’re his friend?”

Nodding my head with what I think is warm smile, I cling to anything to keep the conversation going. It’s glaringly obvious some of the items spilling out of the bags at my feet will be shit he’s outgrown but I offer it anyway.

“I got these for you. It’s okay if you don’t like them.”

Tali plays devil’s advocate and takes them out for him and acts like a prick, teasing me when he sees the multiple stuffed toys and building blocks. “He was bored of half of this shit by the time he was two.” Kicking his ankle to get him to shut the fuck up, he ruffles Viktor’s hair and pride fills him at his nephews accomplishments.

“You’re onto languages and cooking now, aren’t you?”

He scowls up at his uncle as he fixes his hair and gives me a small smile.

“I don’t really have teddies, but I’ll give them to my dad, so he stops trying to cuddle me.”

That’s so cute and I hate Val even more. The prick cuddles his son, but it doesn’t mean he’s a saint. With the asshole being mentioned he steps out of the stall while I act like a child refusing to look in his direction.

Just because he’s a good dad from the extremely limited view I have won’t make me soften. It’s harder to ignore him when he stands beside Viktor with a hand on his shoulder. The tight t-shirt he’s wearing should be classified as obscene with how it paints his muscles. Tali hooks his arm around my neck misjudging my mood as nerves. He doesn’t shut up, filling the silence with random chatter as he guides us towards the house.

“Vik’s the smartest Vartanov after me, obviously, and he makes the best sundaes. You’ll show Dani I’m right, won’t you?”

The familiar comfort helps me relax as Viktor fires back, “I’m not stupid, make your own food.”

We both come to a stop when Dima smiles at me.

“Not using the windows anymore, little Dani?”

He was always a miserable bastard and would grunt when he’d pick us up from school. Teasing him back, I feel like I’m home.

“I heard your husband was getting married, how are you coping?”

Turning back into the Dima from childhood, he grunts and walks away.

I’m goingto kill Tali, he’s the shittest fucking friend in the world for abandoning me when I need him. Vlad’s fiancée has warmed up to me and she’s too perceptive as she extends her voice to get the pricks attention.

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