Page 61 of Deadly Legacy
Grigorii placed the box on the table before him. His large hand rested on it for a moment. “In our family, tradition matters.” His voice deepened. “Not because we’re stuck in the past, but because it connects us across generations.”
He opened the box, revealing an antique pocket watch. The gold case caught the light, its surface etched with intricate designs that Reuben couldn’t quite make out from where he sat.
“This watch was my grandfather’s, and his father’s before him.” Grigorii lifted it carefully, the chain spooling through his fingers. “Each of my brothers got their own when they came of age. Some from ancestors, some new, but all carrying our family history.”
Reuben felt Nikon’s hand find his under the table, fingers intertwining in silent support.
“You came to us through Nikon, but you’ve earned your place as a Matvei in your own right.” Grigorii’s gaze locked with Reuben’s, intense but warm. “You think like us. You fight like us. And most importantly, you get what family means to us.”
Reuben’s throat tightened as Grigorii stood and walked around the table. The watch dangled from his hand, golden in the soft lighting.
“This watch belonged to our uncle Mikhail, who died without children.” Grigorii’s expression softened, a rare sight that made the room go still. “Seems right that it should go to you.” Heextended his hand. “Welcome to the family, Reuben. Not just as Nikon’s partner, but as a Matvei in your own right.”
The weight of the watch in his palm felt significant in ways Reuben couldn’t articulate. He traced the engraved Matvei crest with his thumb. The metal warmed against his skin as every eye in the room focused on him.
“I don’t know what to say.” The words caught in Reuben’s throat.
“Say you’ll honor it,” Natalia suggested softly. “And that you’ll stay for extra dessert.” Her gentle humor broke the intensity of the moment.
Reuben slipped the watch into his pocket, feeling its solid presence against his thigh. “I’ll honor it. And everything it stands for.” He looked around the table, taking in each face. “Thank you for making room for me.”
Alexei raised his glass. “To Reuben. The only one who can beat Grigorii at chess and live to brag about it.”
The toast brought laughter around the table, conversation resuming as Natalia cut second slices of honey cake. Samuil tugged at Reuben’s sleeve, eager to finish showing his card trick now that the “boring grown-up stuff” was done.
As Reuben helped position the cards in Samuil’s small hands, he caught Nikon watching them, that same unreadable expression from earlier crossing his face. Their unfinished conversation remained in the air, unresolved but not forgotten.
Children of their own. The possibility had never occurred to Reuben, yet now that Nikon had voiced it, the idea settled in his mind with unexpected rightness, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.
Later, as coffee was served, Reuben leaned toward Nikon, his shoulder brushing against his partner’s. “About what you asked earlier...”
Nikon raised an eyebrow, his cup suspended halfway to his lips.
“I never thought it would be possible. But yes, I’ve thought about it. Having kids” Reuben kept his voice low, creating a bubble of privacy despite Alexei’s animated story at the other end of the table.
Something in Nikon’s expression shifted, the hard lines around his mouth relaxing in a way visible only to someone who knew him as intimately as Reuben did.
Nikon’s hand found Reuben’s again under the table, a gentle squeeze conveying more than words could.
“We can discuss it later,” Nikon murmured.
Reuben nodded, feeling the weight of the watch in his pocket as he turned back to show Samuil how to hold the deck of cards. The boy’s concentrated frown reminded him so much of Grigorii that Reuben had to suppress a smile.
Across the table, Natalia caught his eye and raised her glass in a silent toast, her warm smile saying what everyone around the table already knew. After years of searching, Reuben had finally found where he belonged.
Epilogue
Steam billowed around them as Reuben shut off the shower they’d been sharing after an exhausting day. They’d barely seen each other since morning. Reuben had been buried in meetings at Matthew Capital, while Nikon handled casino operations.
The shower together had been Nikon’s suggestion, a simple way to reconnect after fourteen hours apart.
Water dripped from both their bodies as Nikon grabbed him before he could reach for a towel, shoving him against the cold tile wall and claiming his mouth. Reuben tasted mint from Nikon’s toothpaste as their tongues collided.
“Thought we were getting dry,” Reuben said between kisses, his wet skin sliding against Nikon’s.
“We’re not,” Nikon replied, droplets still running down his chest as his hand slid between Reuben’s legs to stroke him.
Reuben groaned, biting at Nikon’s lower lip. “Bedroom. Now.”
