Page 37 of Scarred (Russian Sinners 2)

“Do you ladies trust me to pick your desert?” Andrey asked, teasing us. Both of us nodded in quick agreement. If it was anything as good as this, I would be visiting this stand frequently.

“How much do I owe you, Andrey?” I asked him as I took another bite.

“Nothing, this is on Nikolai.” He placed another order and handed the old man a payment. “He will make us fresh blini with honey for dessert.”

“Sounds delicious,” I told him. “Thank you, Andrey, and thank you Nikolai.”

All three of us chuckled as we headed back to the house. Once back home, Tasha and I shared a look.

“Pool time,” we both exclaimed. We raced through the house and towards our rooms. “Winner gets to jump into the pool first,” I announced with a smile.

Both of us slamming the door behind us, I rushed towards my wardrobe digging for the bathing suit. I was ready in record time but wanted to give Tasha a chance to change too.

Grabbing my phone, I went through the pictures taken on the playground. Pleased they turned out good, I sent the two best ones to Nikolai. There were no words typed up, no words needed, but nonetheless my heartbeat sped up as I pressed that send button.

* * *

That afternoon Tasha and I spent some time in the pool. The repeat of the previous day occurred with jumping and squealing. Afterwards, I gave her a quick bath then I took a shower before we headed back down for dinner.

Katja and Andrey joined us during dinner and the atmosphere felt relaxed. I must have worn Tasha out because she kept yawning all throughout dinner. Afterwards, I asked Tasha if she wanted to have a quick walk around the house. It was too early for her to go to sleep so I tried to drag out the time.

Reluctantly, she came along, and not even a minute into it, Andrey joined us.

“Tasha, your uncle wants to talk to you.” My heart fluttered but I quickly scolded myself.

Tasha’s eyes lit up at the mention of her uncle and she took the phone Andrey was handing to her.

“Uncle Nikolai,” she squealed happily on the phone. She switched to Russian and spoke so fast, I couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

Andrey must have noticed it too.

“She’ll trip over her own words,” he said, shaking his head, then went back into the house.

I stepped away from her to give her some space and sat on the bench. It was a good day. The only thing that would have made it a great day was having my brother and mother with me, Anastasia and Scarlett. But we were all safe, although in separate cities, homes and corners of the world. That was all that mattered.

I glanced around me, the immaculate landscape and impressive house that could pass as a palace. Nikolai’s businesses and casinos must have been doing very well for him to be able to afford all this. He had a hardened aura about him and seeing luxury around him kind of didn’t fit him. Although I was sure he appreciated it; especially after the life he had growing up. Tasha was still enthusiastically speaking into the phone, probably not letting her uncle get a word in.

I seized the opportunity to shoot a quick message to my brother to check on him and Mom.

*Everything ok? How is mom?*

His reply came instantly.*Mom is doing good. Everything’s okay. How are you?*

*Tasha is a great kid. Doing good. Is Malcome still in the city?*

*Yes. Stop worrying. Love you.*

I rolled my eyes at his reply. Of course, he would say that.

*Love you too.*

Just as I sent off the last message, Tasha came over.

“Olivia,” she handed me her phone. “Uncle wants to talk to you.”

“Oh, ok.” I wasn’t expecting that.

I took the phone and pressed it on my ear. “Hello?”

---