Page 23 of Forever Your Touch

“I was surprised when you called and said you were bringing her.” Viktor took another long drink from his glass. “You never bring girls home. Not even when you were in high school.”

“Her boyfriend went fishing with his father and left her alone. She doesn’t know anyone but me, so I brought her along.”

Viktor gave him an assessing look that Mason ignored.

“Is she the girl you were talking about the other night? Keith’s sister?”

“Yeah.” Mason finally went and sat down. “Her boyfriend is the one I asked you to check on. How long before Conner brings them here?”

“It depends on how fast he can get either a leave of absence or Papa’s retirement pushed through.”

“If Papa will retire, you mean.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Viktor’s face. “Ifis right. The old man lives for the military.”

“Mama never wanted to come to the U.S.”

“She’ll change her mind once she meets all her grandchildren.”

That, she might. She always complained that they never came to visit, but it was hard to travel with infants. Mason hoped she loved it here, because if something happened to his papa, they were not letting her go back to Russia. She would need her sons as much as they would need her.

“When are you and Sara leaving?”

“We’re not leaving, Mason. I already told Sara. There is no way I’ll be able to sleep tonight, and like I said earlier, you’re in no shape to babysit. You and Jo stay the night, though. Maybe help out with the kids a little?”

“We can do that.”

“We decided to not tell Delia anything right now, at least not until we have to. Think you can pull it together for her?”

“Peach doesn’t need to know herdzyedooshkais sick,” Mason agreed. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure she doesn’t know anything is wrong.” Mason picked up his abandoned liquor and downed it in one shot. The liquid fire chased some of the numbness away. He had to hold it together for Delia, he reminded himself.

“Come on. Sara’s ordering pizza for dinner.” Viktor hauled him up and gave him another tight hug. “We’re gonna get through this.”

“I know.” Mason hugged his brother so hard he might have cut off Viktor’s oxygen supply, but he never complained.

When they walked back into the living room, his eyes sought out Jo. She was on the floor, feeding one of the twins. A small smile tilted his lips. She looked so peaceful and happy making silly faces at the baby.

Little fingers slipped into his, and he looked down to see Delia smiling shyly up at him. The kid was pretty as a peach, hence her nickname. “How you doing, Peach?”

She tugged his hand, and he let her lead him to the end of the coffee table where she had her makeup and other shit already set out. He laughed, and it eased some of the pain in his chest.

“Please, Uncle Mason?”

“Do your worst, kid.” He plopped down, and she squealed in happiness.

“First, the curlers.” She picked up some kind of sponge roller things he eyeballed suspiciously.

“What are those?”

“They make your hair curly, duh.” She rolled her eyes like he should have already known this. “Mommy says they give you Shirley Temple curls.”

“Who the hell is Shirley Temple?”

“Do you want me to wring your ear again?” Sara asked, exasperated.

“Keep those evil fingers to yourself.” Mason winked at Delia and winced when she tugged a little too hard on his hair.

Jo watched him closely. Something was off. He might be smiling and joking, but he seemed subdued. His eyes caught hers, and he shook his head slightly, a clear sign he didn’t want to talk about it. At least not in front of his niece.

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