Page 123 of Heartfelt Pain
Elijah and Lennie sit at the square island. Elijah’s arm wraps around the back of Lennie’s chair. Casual but claiming.
It’s not just because the bastard is overly protective of her. He’scurrentlyprotecting her.
Because Mom and Dad also stand by the island.
Plenty of family gatherings happen in this kitchen. But not usually when Mom is around. And certainly, never any family meetings.
“Why’s it so dark in here?” Grandma squints behind her thick glasses. Russ pulls out a chair for her, but she waves her away. “You didn’t bring your girl?”
A second goes by and I realize she’s speaking to me.
“She had a work thing.”
“So it’s really happening?” Lennie asks. It’s the first smile I’ve seen tonight. “You and Ren.”
“Is she okay?” Russ asks, sitting down beside her friend. Max claims the seat beside her. I’m tucked in by Grandma. Across the table, Dima keeps eyeing the fridge, probably debating whether now is a good time to crack open a beer.
“You mean is she selling her business because you and Len ganged up on her at Sailor’s party?”
Lennie can’t school her face in time, not that she ever really can. Her mouth tumbles open and Russet purses her mouth side to side.
Max texted me days ago about what was going on. He got tired of Russet wringing her hands, wondering if she’d harmed her friendship with Ren.
“She’s planning an Alaskan cruise.” There’s no point in giving them too much of a hard time. “She’s fine.”
Russet places her head in her hand, shooting me a pouting look anyway.
“What’s going on?” Max asks once we’re settled.
I’ve seen this version of Dad before. Leader of the bratva. He holds his head up, his shoulders back. He’s wearing a suit in his own house. The only inkling of friendliness comes when he glances at Lennie or Russet. Grandma’s too used to her son to be taken aback when he appears in front of us as the leader instead of our Dad.
When he looks over at Mom she doesn’t meet his eye.
Max for all his suffering the past year, immediately looks to her. I know what he sees. What we all see.
A bony woman, her face gray instead of porcelain like it used to be.
But her chin remains tilted up.
“Dad?” Max questions.
Our father is silently trying to convey something to our mother. She pretends she doesn’t understand and in response his eyes narrow.
No one annoys Lev Zimin when he’s in this mood. We all know better.
Mom defies him anyway.
His power ripples, his muscles tensing. He moves to address the room when Mom continues to ignore him.
“Russie.”
She stands to attention when Dad calls her name. Max throws an arm over the chair, borrowing Elijah’s protective pose.
“It’s been brought to my attention that you’re owed an apology.”
Collectively I think all our stomachs drop. Even Dima pulls the brim of his cap lower over his eyes.
Russet sits there, eyes wide.
