Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Has it been that long?
After doing a quick calculation, I chuckle, “It’s been three days.”
“When you’re worried about your friend, it’s an eternity,” she mutters.
To put her at ease, I say, “I’m good, Rosalie. There’s no need to worry.”
A smile brightens her face. “So, I’ve noticed Alek’s hardly home. Is there something you want to share?”
I check on Vincent, and when I see him on the jungle gym with Jonas, I turn my attention back to my friend.
“Alek and I talked about everything.”
She lifts her eyebrows, giving me an impatient look.
“Things are good between us.”
“And?” She gestures with her hand for me to share more.
“We kissed.”
Well, we did more than kiss, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Rosalie lets out a happy shriek, startling the other mothers. “I’m so happy to hear that! How was it?”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “It was really good.” I widen my eyes. “Like mindblowing good.”
“Eeek…I’m so happy for you.” She scoots closer. “Are you a couple?”
I nod, and it has her grabbing my arm. “This is the best news. I was worried things wouldn’t work out.”
“I just needed time to adjust.” I glance at Vincent again. “It was actually easier than I thought it would be to pick up where we left off.”
“Has he asked you to move in with him? It would be so awesome to be neighbors.”
I shake my head at her. “He asked, but I said no. It’s not that I don’t want to live with him. I’m just apprehensive about the whole bratva thing.”
A look of understanding settles in Rosalie’s eyes. “It can be a little intimidating at first, but there’s nowhere you’ll be safer. I promise.” She gives me a hopeful look. “We’re having a BBQ on Saturday to welcome you to the fold. I think it will be a good opportunity to meet everyone.”
Crap.
I glance at Vincent again as I think about the invite. The bratva is an integral part of Alek’s life. There’s no avoiding them.
And I really like Rosalie.
Turning my gaze back to my friend, I nod. “We’ll be there.”
She lets out another shriek. “You won’t regret it. I promise.”
“Who will I meet?” I ask, wanting to be prepared.
“Alexei and Isabella. My in-laws. I’m pretty sure Mariya and Luca will also be there. And their twins, of course.”
“Who are Maryia and Luca?”
“Maryia is Alexei’s daughter, and Luca is the head of the Italian mafia.”
My eyebrows fly up. “Just great. The bratva and the mafia.”
“You’ll see, we’re all normal people like you.”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
When Alek steers the G-Wagon through the iron gates of the estate, I’m once again struck by how huge and extravagant the grounds and mansions are.
There’s a stretch of lawn between two mansions, a fountain in the middle. Everyone’s already sitting on lawn chairs, and I see Viktor is busy setting up a grill.
“You okay?” Alek asks.
“Yeah.”
Not really, but I’ll fake it until I make it.
He brings the vehicle to a stop, and we all climb out.
Before I can take Vincent’s hand, he runs toward Roman, who’s standing on wobbly legs next to Rosalie’s chair.
My gaze touches on a beautiful woman who looks more like a queen than anything else. Next to her sits a man who, I guess, is Luca. He lets out a bark of laughter when Alexei says something to him.
One of the older women spots me, and getting up, she walks toward us.
Holy crap.
She moves with so much grace I feel a little intimidated.
“This must be Everleigh. I’ve heard so much about you.” She gives me a comforting smile, and surprisingly it sets me at ease. “I’m Isabella. Alexei’s wife.”
We shake hands. “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
If I remember correctly, she rescues sex slaves.
“I’ve heard amazing things about you,” I add.
“Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” As we walk toward the group, she calls out, “Everleigh is here.”
Everyone’s attention turns to me, and I feel like a bug under a microscope.
Alek places his hand on my lower back, and I move closer to his side.
Isabella gestures at one person at a time. “This is my daughter, Mariya, and my son-in-law, Luca.”
“Hi.” My stomach is a tight ball of nerves.
She moves on to another couple. “This is Viktor’s father, Demitri, and his wife, Ariana.”
“Hi.” I squeak again. I clear my throat before saying, “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”
“You’ve met everyone else,” Isabella says, but then she adds, “Oh wait. Those two are my grandsons, Alex and Lucian. Alex has the same name as my husband, so to avoid confusion, we shortened his name.”
“Got it.”
Rosalie gets up, and giving me a wide smile, she comes to hug me. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I almost chickened out a couple of times,” I admit.
“Come sit by me.”
I’m pulled toward an open chair, and as I take a seat, I smile at Alexei and Viktor. “Thank you for having me over.”