Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Lydia
“I’ll go back to Mom’s. Keep an eye on her and Polina,” Lev says. “I’ll be there, too.”
Nikko nods. “Vera and I can stay with you, too, Viktor, if it’s alright with you.”
“That would be perfect,” I say with a smile. I want to catch up with my sister. “We have a wedding to plan. How long can you stay?”
We’re in the parking lot outside the vet’s. “I’ve got a week,” Vera says. “I wish I could stay longer. But it’s alright, Mom is almost home, and she will come, too. You aren’t far from her now, either.”
We situate the sleeping Nikita in the back seat between us. Nikko’s driving, Viktor in the passenger seat.
“What details do you still need to finalize for the wedding?”
I catch her up to speed. “Polina and Ekaterina are mostly handling all the details. It’s not like I really know anyone who’s coming.”
I’d rather it be like this. Small. Close family, no more, no less.
I’m listening in on Viktor and Nikko’s conversation.
“Obviously, security is the main concern,” Viktor says, his voice low and intense. He’s pissed. “I don’t trust the Ledyanoye Bratstvo to stay quiet for long. We need to ensure everyone’s safe. He’s doing exactly what we hoped he would do,” he admits. “But I’m pissed we haven’t gotten him yet.”
Nikko nods. “I’ve already got men scouting the location. We’ll set up a perimeter and have checkpoints. We’ll make sure security’s locked down in all places. No one gets in without clearance.”
Viktor glances back at me, then continues, “I want Lydia to feel safe on our wedding day. No surprises. This is her day, and nothing should ruin it.”
Vera smiles at me. My heart warms at his words.
“We’ll also consider a decoy route so we can keep our movements unpredictable.”
Vera chimes in. “What about the guest list? Are we sure everyone invited is trustworthy?”
Viktor answers, “We’ve vetted everyone, and it’s a small guest list.”
Nikko looks thoughtful. “And the caterers? Staff? Anyone working the event?”
“Polina and Ekaterina are handling the vendors. They’ve been given strict instructions to hire only from trusted sources,” Vera responds.
I’m thankful they’re so on top of things. “And the venue itself?”
“We’ve chosen a secluded location,” Viktor says. “It’s easier to control and monitor. Fewer entry points.”
Nikko smirks. “Like a fortress. Just how you like it, brother.”
Viktor’s lips twitch into a rare smile. “Exactly.”
I lean into the conversation, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. “And what about after the wedding?”
Viktor’s eyes soften as he looks at me. “I was thinking somewhere remote. Just the two of us. A place where we can relax and not worry about threats.”
Vera squeezes my hand. “You deserve this, Lydia. A fresh start, away from all the chaos.” She leans closer to me, her voice lowering. “Someone to watch over you, to make sure you’re safe. You deserve that, too.”
I squeeze her hand back. “Thank you.”
The drive continues in a comfortable silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. As we near Viktor’s place, Nikita stirs slightly, her head resting on my lap. I gently stroke her fur, reassured by her steady breathing.
Viktor reaches back, placing his hand over mine. “She’ll be okay, Lydia. We’ll make sure of it.”
I nod. I want her to be alright.
We arrive at Viktor’s place—our place, and everyone moves with practiced efficiency. Nikita is carefully carried inside, and Vera immediately sets to work checking her vitals again and making sure she’s secure.
It feels good to be with my sister, even though we don't really know each other that well. I want to, though. And it's the first time I realize that being around the Romanov family, seeing how their sisters and brothers interact, makes me long for something more.
“Do you want to have a drink?” I ask tentatively. And I have to admit, I am feeling at home here. I like being in Viktor's place… our place. I’m hosting Vera.
My sister looks tired, but she smiles at me. “I would love a glass of wine,” she says with a smile. “Although I prefer beer if you have that.”
“We absolutely have beer,” I say, laughing. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
I pop open a couple of beers, and Vera and I sit in the large, expansive room next to our bedroom. Nikko and Viktor walk downstairs, planning. “I’m going to sit with Nikita for a while,” Viktor says.
“The poor guy,” I say softly when they’ve gone downstairs. “He loves that dog so much.”
“Of course. Those two are the closest, you know,” she says. “It's almost fitting that sisters are marrying brothers, isn't it?” She takes a thoughtful sip of her beer. “Kind of surprised it doesn't happen more often.”
“Right?” I smile. “Viktor told me they like to lift. That’s, uh… obvious about both of them.”
Vera's eyes perk up, and she wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Indeed.”