Page 133 of Mountain Daddy

“Chleo, honey,” I say. “Why don't you go show Rosa and Maksim your new rock collection? I need to talk to Uncle Ivan for a minute.”

“But I just saw him,” Chleo protests.

“I'll be here when you're done,” Ivan promises. “Go on.”

Chleo considers this, then nods. “Okay. But don't leave without saying goodbye.”

“I won't,” Ivan says softly.

I watch Chleo head back to the cabin. Only when he’s inside do I turn back to Ivan.

“You've been in his life,” I say. Not a question. A realization.

“Since he was born,” Ivan confirms. “Someone had to be the man in his life.”

The words should anger me. Should make me want to put my fist through his face. Instead, I feel something unexpected.

Gratitude.

“Thank you,” I say, the words rough in my throat. “For being there for him.”

Ivan looks surprised. “Wasn't expecting that.”

“Neither was I,” I admit. “Why are you here, Ivan? Really?”

He runs a hand through his hair, sighs. “I'm here because Chicago's not an option for me anymore. The families there—they're always going to want me involved. And I'm done with that life.”

“So you came here.”

“To be near family. To start over.” He meets my gaze steadily. “Same as you.”

“I'm not starting over,” I say. “Just continuing what I've always done. Protecting what's mine.”

“And what happens when the Kozlovs send more men?” The questions hit hard because they're the same ones keeping me up at night.

“I deal with it,” I say.

“Alone?” He shakes his head. “That's not how this works, Vetrov. Not when you've got family involved.”

I study him, trying to read behind the words. “What are you suggesting?”

“You should leave,” he looks pained. “They’ll find you here.”

“I can’t upend their life,” I refuse.

We both stand in silence for some time. Thinking of ways to make this work. Then, I remember he said something.

“You said the people in Chicago? They’d want you involved.”

“They like me,” he shrugs. But then, the wheels turn.

In his head, and mine.

“Do you think you could bring them to the table?”

He lets out a low whistle. “I still have connections in Chicago. People who owe me favors.”

He crosses his arms after thinking. “I could help finalize a truce with the Kozlovs. Make them understand that coming after you—after us—isn't worth the cost.”

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