Page 168 of Fall into Savagery

It was addressed to me.

I read the first line, then stopped. I read it again, followed by two more times, before letting it fall to the floor and wrapping my arms around Mikhail’s neck. I climbed into his lap just as a small cry moved up my throat, and he hugged me tightly.

“Thank you,” I said wetly into his neck. “Thank you.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I felt him press a quick kiss on my temple. “Of course, baby. Do you think there would ever be anything that I wouldn’t do for you?”

I shook my head.

I didn’t know how I got so lucky, and I stayed there with my face buried in his neck as the image of that first line in that letter ran through my eyes.

* * *

Dear Ms. Catalina Bianchi,

With great pleasure, I write to inform you of your admission to Columbia University starting this upcoming fall term …

* * *

Two days later,I was still riding on cloud nine with my engagement to my men and my early acceptance letter to Columbia.

I didn’t know how Mikhail pulled this off, and I didn’t care to know. It occurred to me that a lot of people worked hard for the position I was given freely. There were privileges that came with my fiancés’ positions, and for the first time in my life, I wanted to be selfish.

I wanted to put my happiness ahead of everyone else, considering the first twenty-two years of my life had been anything but a fairy tale.

So I enjoyed the high I was currently on, and when I found myself alone with the twins, I took them and myself to do some school shopping.

Linda was joining us, along with three men.

Gleb would not be part of the group.

He came down with the flu yesterday.

It was a little hard to think that Bratva men could get sick or even ask for sick days, but that was what happened.

I already missed his soft presence as opposed to these strange guards whose names I didn’t know.

The boys held my hand and skipped along the way, and I couldn’t help but smile at the joy on their faces.

They were resilient.

I knew the bad shit they went through affected them, but they still found it in themselves to be happy.

We stopped for some ice cream. I sat close to them and, for the first time, asked them about their mom.

“Do you miss her?” I asked.

The boys shared a look, and neither one of them said anything. I had been waiting for them to be ready to share it with me, but now, I thought that might have been the wrong move. Perhaps talking about it was better than keeping silent.

Konstantin shook his head, offering me a small. “No.”

I cupped his head. “That’s not a bad thing,” I said. “It’s okay if you don’t miss her.”

Dmitriy looked down at his almost melted ice cream cone. “Will we have to go back to live with her someday?”

And I knew my mistake then. I should have assured them constantly that they always have a place with me. With us. I should have made them sure of their place in my life.

I had fucked up.

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