Page 52 of Bound to the Bratva
And there she is—my mother, already seated at a cozy table in the corner. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and she rises to pull me into a tight embrace. “Aria, darling, I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve missed you so much.” she murmurs.
I squeeze her back, the familiar scent of her floral perfume comforting me. “Hi, Mom. It’s so good to see you.” I slide into the booth across from her, my gaze sweeping over the elegant, yet inviting space.
“I ordered you a margarita. I know how much you love them. Plus, I figured you might want one after a long day at work. Mango okay?” she says with a wink.
I chuckle, “Yes, you know me so well.”
My mother leans back in her chair, her expression softening. “So, how are things with Maxim? I can’t help but think you being so quiet has something to do with him.”
It’s true, I haven’t been texting or calling her as much as normal, but it’s only because I’ve been so overwhelmed with everything going on.
My mother’s words sort of throw me for a loop. How quiet have I been? Has it been so bad? I debate this over in my mind carefully before responding. “Things with Maxim are...they’re going surprisingly well, actually.”
Our waitress comes over with my margarita and a drink for my mother. We halt the conversation going on between us and put in an order for an upscale version of loaded nachos.
My mother raises her brows, “Well, huh?”
I trace the rim of my glass, a small smile playing on my lips. “Yeah, things are going really well.”
She raises a perfectly groomed brow, leaning forward with genuine interest. “I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first given this was all your father’s doing. But the way you talk about him now, it’s clear he’s won you over. Not only that, but he can’t be as horrible as your father if you’re smiling the way you are.”
I nod, my gaze drifting to the flickering candle on the table. “I’ll be honest with you, I hated him when we first met. I don’t know if it was just him, or if I hated him because of what Dad was making me do. Don’t get me wrong, Maxim was arrogant and controlling, everything I despise.” I chuckle softly. “But somewhere along the way, he started to...soften. To show me a side of him I never expected.”
My mother reaches across the table, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m so glad to hear that, darling. You deserve someone who will treat you right, who will protect you.” Her eyes grow serious. “Especially after what happened at your wedding. Do you have any updates on that?”
The memory makes my blood run cold, but I force myself to meet her gaze. “Dmitri and my father think it’s Maxim’s ex, or her family.”
My mother takes a sip of her drink and raises her brows. “Dmitri? Is he helping you with this?”
I give her a curt nod. “Yeah, and honestly I’m glad. I trust him so much more than father. Dmitri…he’s the only sibling on that side who I feel like actually gives a damn about me, you know? Lev and Konstantin aren’t bad or anything, but Dmitri’s taken the time to get to know me, or at least respect me.”
My mother nods, “He was always a kind boy.” There’s a hint of sadness in her voice.
I reach out and grab her hand. “Hey, is everything okay?”
She forces a soft smile. “Yes, I just can’t stand Tatiana, or the shit she put those boys through. I know I’m no angel. I mean, I fell for a married man. But, I was young and stupid. Tatiana on the other hand, she’s always been so callous and cruel. I can’t believe the things she did to them.”
I furrow my brows, not quite following along. “I don’t understand. You’re acting like something happened?”
She licks her lips and sighs, “Something did. Your father was away on business and she had the boys sent away. You were a child, so I never told you about it, but she sent them to some sort of horrible camp. They were beaten, abused, and Tatiana told your father it was to humble them so they knew her word was law when he wasn’t around.”
I take a sip of my margarita and process what she’s just told me. “I know she’s a horrible woman, but to do something like that to her own children is insane.”
Mom nods, “I know. I can’t believe your father didn’t kill her.”
“Yeah, I don’t get why they’re still together. It seems to me like she’s only a pain in the ass. She’s cruel, sadistic…I guess in a way she’s like him.” The moment I say it a flashback of my father’s hand flying toward my face hits me. “He hit me the other day and Maxim made him pay for it.” I look right into my mother’s eyes.
A different waitress comes back over with our loaded nachos and asks if we’re ready to order. I honestly haven’t even taken a second to look over the menu, so I order chicken pineapple fajitas and a burrito to-go so I can bring Maxim a doggy bag home.
Once the waitress is gone, Mom speaks up. “Why the hell did your father hit you?”
I roll my eyes, unable to believe my father’s reasoning for it. “I got disrespectful, and until Tatiana pointed it out, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”
Mom scoffs, “Of course it fucking wasn’t. I’m tired of playing the nice guy. Lord help her the next time I see her.”
I pick up a chip and shove it in my mouth. “I’m sure she’s traumatized from what Maxim did. She was right there and witnessed the entire thing.”
Mom smiles and a sinister glint covers her eye. “Good, I’m glad. It’s some karma coming back to bite her in the ass. Hopefully your father learned his lesson, too.”
