I thought for a moment. I didn’t want to say too much, because I know Ivan didn’t want them to know and I didn’t have the best track record lately with keeping my mo uth sh ut. Adrik still had his arm around me, I fell him run his hand up my back. He knew I was trying to find the words.
“I think it’s because he and I go to the same place. What he described to me today was exactly the same as what I experienced on the plane and when we were at the ranch.” I looked at Adrik, suddenly curious as to how he could pull me into the darkness. “Like I said before, his demons recognize mine.” I shrugged my shoulders, not really knowing how else I could explain it.
“Well, whatever it is, I’ve still never seen anything like it. I’ve known Ivan for over ten years now and he’s never snapped out of it as quickly as he has with you. I’m glad. For him. And maybe a little bit for me, too, because I don’t have to fight him,” he said as he grinned.
“I wouldn’t want to fight him, that’s for sure,” I said, as I winked at him.
“What’s for dinner, sestrichka? It smells amazing,” he said, rubbing his stomach.
Misha said, “she made mushroom ravioli. And bread. Bro. She made bread. And she made the ravioli from scratch. Like everything you’re about to put in your mouth was made by her.”
“To be fair, the chicken was not made by me. I just cooked it. And also, Misha helped with everything. He’s quite the sous chef.” I said smiling at him.
Ivan walked into the kitchen, looking better than he had earlier. He still looked tired, but nowhere near as tired as he did earlier- in the day, “Princess, that smells like it’s going to make my stomach happier than it was last night, which is saying a lot.”
I couldn’t help but smile at him. “Squishy, you look better. You slept okay? It worked?”
He nodded, “Was that one a new one?”
Misha answered for me. “Can you believe she just like sat down and played that for the first time today? She was like I have this melody in my head. Ban?. Here’s a song. The End.”
I laughed. “It’s not finished yet. It’ll sound better when it’s finished.”
Ivan said, “I like It. It might be my favorite one so far.”
As I stood in the kitchen, looking at Ivan tell me he liked that song, I knew without a doubt that my dad had put that melody in my head specifically for Ivan. I thanked him silently.
“Oh, Boss. I have news,” Ivan said as he indicated for Adrik to allow him to the next room. Adrik kissed my temple and whispered, “be right back, love,” as he walked into the next room with Ivan. “Viktor, would you mind seeing if Andrei is awake yet? He told us to make sure and wake him up for dinner.”
“If I say no, can I get his portion?” he asked, his eyebrow raised like he was legitimately considering saying no.
“Do you want me to smack you with this wooden spoon? Because I’ll do it,” I said, pointing at him with the spoon.
He laughed loudly, walking out of the kitchen. Adrik and Ivan walked back into the kitchen, both looking like they were trying to keep it together. That was serious news. Adrik walked back to me, pulling me to him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, his face in my hair, inhaling deeply. “I missed you, solnishko.” I stepped back, looking at him, but saw only happiness in his eyes. I stood on my toes and kissed him gently. “I missed you more,” I said smiling against his lips.
Sephie
I made sure to make even more food this time, thinking there would be leftovers they could eat the next day, Wrong. They just ate more.
“I’m going to have to start rationing you guys. Or you’re all going to have to start running with me.” I said, as they all went back for seconds and thirds,
Misha laughed. “This kind of delicious death will be worth it.” They all agreed with him.
“I ha te running, but I’ll do it if it means I can eat more of this, Stephen said.
“It’s not so bad, once you get used to it,” Misha said.
“Just never think you can run faster than her and you’ll be fine,” Adrik sard, winking at me.
“I haven’t sup in so long, you have a good shot at beating me now.” I grinned at him.
We stayed in the kitchen, talking, well after all the food was gone for a second day in a row.
“Have Dariu and Massimo made it to meet with Trinu yet?” Ivan asked
Viktor nodded. “Armando is in contact with some of Trine’s people. They confirmed that Dario and Massimo landed this morning. Trine is making then wait, just like he did with Lorenzo and Anthony,” he said, laughing.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.