Page 134 of Twisted Pact
By the time we finish dessert, it’s clear that Dmitri and Katya have had enough wine to make driving inadvisable. Not drunk, but relaxed enough that attempting Moscow traffic would be stupid, and the last thing we need right now is the head of our family behind bars with a DUI.
“You’re staying,” I announce. “No arguments.”
“We should call the sitter.” Katya pulls out her phone. “Let her know we won’t be back tonight.”
“We have some spare clothes you can sleep in,” I add.
While Katya makes arrangements for their little one, Mila helps me load the dishwasher. The domestic routine feels surreal after everything we’ve been through.
“This was good,” she tells me. “I can see why you wanted it.”
“Yeah?”
“She’s not what I expected. She’s so… normal.”
I study her face. “What did you expect?”
“From a former FSB agent who married into a Bratva family? I don’t know. Someone harder. More like the stories about government agents.”
“She is hard when she needs to be. But she’s also just a woman who fell in love with my brother.”
Dmitri reappears then, declaring, “Everything’s sorted. The sitter has no problem staying the night.”
We migrate to the living room, where the conversation continues over brandy for those still drinking. The topics range from family stories to Mila’s research to Katya’s ongoing adjustment to civilian life.
As the evening winds down, I realize this is what I wanted. Not just dinner, but this feeling of family. People who choose to be together rather than people thrown together by circumstance.
“We should do this more often,” Katya suggests as we head downstairs to the bedrooms.
“Once things settle down,” I agree.
“Will they settle down?” Mila asks.
Dmitri and I exchange a look. We both know what’s coming with Novikov. Peace is temporary in our world.
“It always does,” Dmitri replies.
“And then, it gets unsettled again,” I add.
“Such optimists,” Mila grumbles, but she’s smiling.
We say goodnight at the bottom of the stairs. Dmitri and Katya disappear into the guest room while Mila and I head to our bedroom.
“Thank you for tonight,” she tells me as we get ready for bed. “And for wanting me to feel like family.”
“Youarefamily. Just because it’s not legal yet doesn’t change that.”
She kisses me softly before climbing into bed. As I turn off the lights, I hear quiet conversation from the guest room and the settled sounds of people who feel safe and comfortable.
Tomorrow, we’ll go back to security briefings and threat assessments, preparing for whatever Novikov throws at us. But tonight, my house feels like a home filled with people I’d protect with my life.
37
Mila
The evening felt almost normal.
I pull the covers up to my chin and listen to Dmitri and Katya settling into the guest room down the hall.
