Page 110 of Marked (Russian Sinners 1)

“We already fed all the men except the ones that went to get you,” her dad replied.

“I’ll grab more plates,” her grandfather started to raise from his spot. I was starting to see where Anastasia got her qualities.

“I got it,” I offered. Sending a quick message to Misha, I called the men in, and quickly set another five places.

“There they are,” her grandfather announced. “Come join us for dinner. The other men already ate.”

The next two hours, Anastasia was surrounded by men and we all waited on her hand and foot.

“I love this,” she announced happily, although she looked drained. I’d have to make sure this was a quick dinner so she could rest. “We should make this a yearly tradition, coming here. What do you guys think?”

Damir spoke first. “I live in this town so I’m good with it.” We all laughed hard. It turned out the other four men lived in this town too.

“What about you Misha? We should have Natasha come too,” she suggested.

“I love the idea and I am sure Natasha will love it too.”

“Wonderful. And next year you’ll have a baby, so bring the baby too,” Anastasia suggested smiling, stifling a yawn. Misha smiled, clearly happy about having a baby and being included. “What about you Dad? Grandpa?”

“Nothing would stop me,” her grandfather commented.

She turned her eyes to her dad. “You know it, kiddo. I’m coming too.”

Despite evident fatigue, Anastasia’s eyes sparkled like emeralds with happiness as she met my eyes. “Our first tradition.”

As if she just remembered something, she frowned and turned back to her dad. “Dad, are you okay to be away from your job for this long?”

“I didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” She waited for her dad’s explanation.

“I am retired as of last week,” he announced and Anastasia’s jaw dropped. I guess I could understand her surprise. I didn’t know her father as well as she did but everything I knew about him was that he was a major workaholic. He was passionate about his job and putting criminals behind bars. He had a 99.9 percent conviction rate.

That 0.01 percent was me that he was unsuccessful putting behind bars. During last week’s hospital visit, he apologized to me. But I would be a hypocrite if I acted innocent. I admitted to him, off the record of course, that although I have never hurt innocents, I didn’t exactly come to my fortune by strictly legal means. And I did tell him it was me that sent the evidence that allowed him to put Boris away; I was the one that gathered all the information over the years and ensured he was convicted on it.

If he was surprised, he didn’t let on. He advised I pay all the fortune I obtained via illegal means forward to the world through worthwhile charities. And true to his word, he has gotten me the last two signatures and all my businesses have been legalized. I would do everything the right way with Anastasia.

“Holy shit, Dad,” she replied, a clear shock on her face. “Seriously? What are you going to do? Do you have a hobby?”

“Yes, I’ll do some river fishing, ice fishing, and fly fishing.”

“I honestly thought your hobby was your job. I don’t ever remember you going fishing.”

“I hadn’t done it in over twenty years but it couldn’t have changed that much. Maybe I can teach you how to do it?” he offered.

Anastasia looked at him dubiously. “I guess the fishing technique hasn’t changed but I’m not going fishing with you. Can you drive a boat? What if we fell into the water?”

We all laughed. My siren was brave when it came to saving lives but not so much when it came to the sea.

“How about you, Dimitry? You up for it?” His question had me shocked as much as his hobby shocked his daughter.

“I can fish,” I told him. “I’m not an expert though. But sure, when you go fishing and you are up for some company, call me.”

Her father rubbed his hands together. “Wonderful.”

“All I have to say, neither one of you better fall off the boat,” Anastasia muttered under her breath and all the men burst into laughter.

It took another hour before everyone went their own way, leaving Anastasia, her father, grandfather, and me alone.

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