My stomach roils uncomfortably. “Why are you pushing this?”
Elle frowns. “Because it’s important to have people in your life, Alyssa. A support system. Someone who’ll notice if you, oh, I dunno… randomly disappear.” She glances towards the window. “I’m not sure that relying on one man, no matter how handsome or how nice his car, is the right thing for you.”
I sigh and give her hand a squeeze. “I know I can’t get you onboard today, so all I can do is let time convince you that Uri is a good man. He’s just… complicated.”
She doesn’t look satisfied with that answer. “Don’t you want something simple?”
“I did. Then my sister died.” Elle raises her eyebrows and I take a deep breath. “Sorry,” I murmur quickly, running my hand over my stomach. “I just… I really wish she was here.”
“I know. I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t poke; you know what’s best for you.”
I smile and make another attempt at changing the subject. “Tell me all about your honeymoon. Where’d you guys end up going?”
“Hawaii,” she says as her eyes light up all over again. “Two full weeks by the beach in this really nice resort. We used up all the money we got as wedding presents but it was totally worth it.”
“I’m so glad.”
“And we came back from Hawaii with a little lifetime souvenir,” Elle says as her cheeks flush with color. “I’m pregnant, too!”
I gasp as shock and joy jolts through my body. “Seriously?”
“Doubt I’m gonna have twins, but there’s definitely one bun in the oven. Liam and I are over the moon.”
“So am I! Elle, our kids are gonna grow up together!” There’s an emotional wobble in her chin as we slide out of our seats just so that we can embrace. “This is just great news.”
It is great news.
Now, if only we can get Polly back safe and sound, I can really enjoy it.
24
URI
I’m waiting for Alyssa outside the restaurant when a call comes in from Nikolai. “Where are you?”
“Out.”
“Okay, then you can go check out this place called Matros. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Sobakin might have been an investor in the bar. Maybe we can poke around there, see if something comes up.”
“That’s all you have? Sobakin may have invested in some shithole in Santa Monica?”
“You got any better ideas? We’ve exhausted every other rumor, man. It wouldn’t hurt to check this out.”
“I can’t do it right now.”
“Why not?”
I peek towards the window. Alyssa and her friend are out of their seats and hugging each other tightly. I’m guessing Alyssa probably shared her pregnancy news. “Because Alyssa’s having lunch with her friend and I’m on bodyguard duty.”
“Are you serious?”
The annoyance in his voice takes me aback. “Why would I joke?”
“You could have put Stepan or Vlad or literally anyone else in the whole goddamn Bratva on bodyguard duty.”
“Except there’s no one I trust more than myself.”
“For God’s sake… Listen, I’m glad you and Alyssa managed to sort out your shit—but in case you’ve forgotten, our sister’s still missing.”
My jaw clenches together hard enough to make my whole head throb. Nikolai’s words are bad enough; his tone makes them far worse. “I haven’t forgotten,” I snarl. “I’m just trying to make sure Alyssa and my children don’t end up missing, either.”
He clicks his teeth in irritation. “I’m going to the shed. I think it’s time I took a shot at Sobakin. Maybe I can get something out of him that you couldn’t.”
Apparently, my brother is looking for a fight today. “You better watch yourself now, Niko. Don’t go down there alone.”
“You do. Why can’t I?”
“I’m the fucking pahkan. I can do whatever I damn well please.” I’m just being an asshole now for no good reason. Why shouldn’t he try? But I’m dug in and there’s no going back.
He’s silent for a prolonged few seconds. “Fine,” he spits bitterly. “As you say, you’re the pahkan. Just try not to take all goddamn day, yeah?”
He hangs up before I can bite back at him. Alyssa’s lunch takes another hour. I’m at the point where I’m ready to walk in and pull her out when I notice Alyssa signal to the waitress for the bill. I step into the restaurant to intercept the hostess and pay for their meal myself. A few minutes later, both women walk out towards me.
Alyssa has her arm linked with Elle’s, who steps up to me with curious eyes and a careful smile.
“Thanks for the meal,” she says. “You didn’t have to.”
“It was my pleasure. Lovely to meet you, Elle. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Any attempt at sizing me up subtly is quickly abandoned. She sweeps me up and down like she’s checking me for weapons. She’d better not look too closely, though, because she’ll find several. “All good things, I hope.”
“Nothing but good. You’ll have to come and visit Alyssa at the estate one day when you’re free.”
Alyssa looks surprised that I made the offer but she doesn’t say anything. Elle just nods. “I’ll definitely do that. Oh, and—congrats.”
Something inside me blows up like a balloon. It feels suspiciously like real joy. “Thank you.”
Once we’ve said goodbye to Elle and cleared the restaurant, Alyssa turns to me with a grateful smile. “Thanks for letting me do that today. It was much needed.”
“How much did you tell her?”
“Only enough to reassure her that I was not in any danger with you.”
“So you lied to her?”
She snorts. “Not helping.”
I suppress a smile and step on the gas. I already know that the long wait will piss Nikolai off. I’m hoping it does. I’m not in a charitable mood.
The moment we get back home, I escort Alyssa to her bed to get some rest. She goes without a fuss, which is a surefire sign that her little outing has tired her out. Once she’s tucked away, I leave the house again and cross the garden towards the shed.
Nikolai’s already in there, looking blotchy-faced with anger. “There you are!” he snaps, bouncing to his feet. “Fucking finally.”
“What the hell is your problem today?”
I really don’t need to be at odds with Nikolai right now. But he’s making it difficult not to want to wring his neck.
“We have work to do. An enemy pakhan to crack and you’re out there, supervising teatime with the ladies.”
I snatch him up by the collar and pull him towards me so that he can see the fire in my eyes. “You may be my brother, Niko—but that doesn’t mean I won’t kick the shit out of you if I have to.” I push him back hard so that he stumbles a bit. “Now, check your attitude or I’ll check it for you.”
Nikolai straightens up, his jaw set in a tight square. “Can I go downstairs now, sir?”
“Be my guest.”