Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
He considers this for a moment, then nods. “On three.”
My father’s eyes widen. “N-no. You can’t—”
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three.”
24
OLIVIA
I pace back and forth, going from the kitchen down the long hallway to peek out front. It’s stupid, because an alert would go off if someone was allowed through the gate.
Why couldn’t I go with them? I would have stayed out of the way. Hell, I would have stayed a mile down the road, but no one was going to let that happen. Not even my mom. Usually she would push them to include me, but not this time.
Not that I can blame any of them. They only just got me home from being kidnapped. I’m sure they’re all still shaken up from it. I can’t imagine all of the things they thought might have happened to me. The ones that should have happened to me, but Sergei saved me, likely sealing his own fate in the end.
That thought makes my stomach turn. I have to try to remain positive and hope that my brothers get there soon enough. It’s hard because it’s been radio silent. Not one damn peep since they tore out of here earlier. I keep waiting for someone to tell me anything.
My sister has no idea any of this is going on. Normally, her husband would be out with the rest of the men, but my dad shut that down. He’s with my father in his office with the doors closed.
I debate for the tenth time if I should go in there, but I don’t want to get in the way. It would be hard for me to not cut in, wanting a play-by-play of what might be happening.
I wander back into the kitchen. “Why don’t you sit? I’m making your favorite.” My mom motions to a chair. A sweet, buttery smell fills the room. It always makes me think of my mother.
“Sitting doesn’t help.” I pout but still pull out one of the stools at the kitchen island to watch her work.
“Sergei never got this.” The thought of him growing up with that ruthless father of his has tears forming in my eyes. He never knew love until he met me. And now I don’t know if he’ll live to experience all that comes with it.
“Probably not. Luca is a terrible man.” My mom hands me one of the fresh butter cookies.
“I’m not hungry.” Still, I take the cookie. If I don’t, she’ll start fussing that I’m not eating enough and try to ply me with more food. I take a bite, and it’s perfect as always.
“I’m sure the boy will have some rough edges to him. That’s not always a bad thing.”
I snort a laugh, almost choking on my cookie.
“Boy?” I get out through my giggles.
Sergei in no shape or form could ever be considered anything but a man. Mom smirks, knowing she was going to get at least a smile out of me.
“If he makes it...” I trail off, not being able to complete my sentence. I take a deep breath to calm myself. “I know it’s a big if, but would you all really accept him? You’d be willing to allow a Taletti at our family dinner?”
“Your brother—”
“Is part of you.” Her eyes start to water, but she gives me a soft smile.
“And Sergei had a mother that is part of him too. If he cherishes you, then I will welcome him in with open arms. I will treat him as my own son. Not only because he was willing to die to save my baby girl but in honor of the woman who was trapped with Luca at one time. I got your father. Maybe Sergei can get a family that isn’t only filled with hatred and coldness.” Her words hit me right in the chest.
“What if he doesn’t make it?” Now it’s me who’s about to cry. “Or if he doesn’t want to be with me?”
“Don’t be dramatic.” Mom slides another tray into the oven.
“Dramatic? There is a war going on out there. How can I not be dramatic?” How the heck is she so calm? We are talking about Sergei’s life here and my brothers’. Not only them, but the men who stand at my family’s side.
She might be right, though. I shouldn't be underestimating them. The men around here can clean up nicely, but they can also be ruthless when the time calls for it.
“So you and this Sergei had sex?” She changes the subject. My cheeks warm. I don’t know why because talking about sex isn’t something the girls in our family shy away from. Though I wasn’t having it then.
“Really? You want to talk about this right now?”
“Did you remember the rule?” Of course she keeps going, knowing this will keep me distracted so I don’t get up and start pacing again.