Page 37 of Precious Legacy
I feel Alvaro shift beside me. We’re so in tune with each other that I notice the change in his temperament just from the way his breathing changes.
“A lot more than you think,” I challenge him, taking a step forward.
Vadim counters, though not as close as I think he wants. He has an edge of danger about him that could turn lethal, given the chance. “You accept our terms, or we?—”
“Enough!” Konstantin barks at his brother. “This is a request. One we hope you’ll consider.”
“And if we don’t?” Varo challenges.
“Let’s not think about that option just yet,” Konstantin warns with a wry smile.
Varo sighs reluctantly. “Fine. We’ll consider it.”
“Much appreciated,” Konstantin replies before passing by us.
It takes a second for his brother to follow. Giving us one last glance, which I’m sure is meant to intimidate us, he storms off into the darkness.
“I hate to say it,” Haldon huffs. “But we’re gonna need to bring in the big guns.”
Alvaro lets out a groan, while I’m more than content with Haldon’s suggestion. While it’s not the first time we’ve had to deal with turf wars or any kind of kick back, it’s the first time we’ve had to deal with crime bosses who are equally as fierce as us. We’d be idiots not to heed the words of one of the most dangerous Russians I’ve ever met. Men like him are more trigger happy than most. Bringing in our fathers isn’t a bad idea.
It’s just one we all hate to admit is necessary.
FIFTEEN
Family dinners have never been a tradition for the Bonannos. Once in a blue moon, you might catch us under the same roof, exchanging pleasantries for the sake of a nice meal, but that only lasts for about an hour before chaos ensues. We’re not exactly known for our calm approaches to conversation within the family, which is why I try to avoid visiting my parents as much as possible. As much as I love them, there are certain situations I prefer to steer clear of.
Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to get out of it today. My mom turned up at my front door this morning and practically dragged me back to Brooklyn. She might have a soft heart, but she won’t take shit from anyone, and in turn that means I don’t give her shit. Sometimes I wonder what made her that way, but then I take one look at my dad and my question is answered.
He doesn’t like to be challenged, and my mom is the only person he ever allows to do that. Even my brother and I don’t have that sort of relationship with him. Perhaps he made Mom that way? Or maybe she was always that way and thrived being in my dad’s company. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that those two are a match that should never have happened. Yet Ican see how happy they make each other, so maybe sometimes, the wrong person can also somehow be the right one.
Flicking through the pages of my mom’s ‘House Living’ magazine, I tune out the conversation in the background. Something has been happening at the docks and my brother isn’t too happy about it. Usually, it takes a lot for my brother to get disturbed by anything, and being the leader of our family, he would be taking matters into his own hands. Whatever has caused him to discuss it with our father must mean it’s bad. Nobody seeks out advice unless they really need it, and I know that firsthand.
“Why do you look like someone killed your dog?” Varo heckles as he enters the kitchen. He perches on the stool beside me, picking at the steaming carrots in a bowl in front of him.
“I don’t have a dog, dumbass,” I mumble back boredly, I know he’s trying to bait me, which means he must be in a worse mood than I thought.This is going to be a fun dinner.
“Leave your sister alone, Varo.”
I glance up at my mom who’s stirring a pot on the stove and smirk at Varo. Sometimes it’s nice to have her on my side. Especially when my brother is acting immature and mimicking mom’s words.
“Varo,” Dad warns as he enters the room, and my brother bristles. “Listen to your mom.” He comes to drop a kiss on my head before capturing me in an awkward side-hug, but he’s focused on Varo.
I stick my tongue out at my brother because I’m not mature enough to let a win slide. It’s not that I can’t fight my own battles, but it’s kinda nice when the family disappointment gets preferential treatment over the golden boy.
Rolling his eyes, my brother snatches the magazine from me with a scowl. “Roman says he’ll be here soon.”
“What?” I frown. “Since when?”
Varo smirks, and I hate that he can immediately tell what’s running through my mind. We don’t have any psychic twin abilities or anything like that, but after being in each other’s space for two decades, we know each other too well.
Roman and I haven’t really spoken since the other night. He disappeared shortly after taking Haven and me back to my place without any explanation as to what was happening. Now, I’m slowly piecing things together, and that has me slightly worried.
“I invited him,” my mom supplies as she wipes her hands on a towel. She turns to greet our dad with a kiss before returning her gaze to us both. “He’s been back in the city for a few weeks now and we haven’t even had the chance to see him.”
Varo flips the pages of the magazine over, loud whips of paper breaking through the air. “I would have told you, but I know how much you enjoy surprises. Plus, we need to discuss business.”
“Ass,” I mutter, snatching the magazine back from him. It’s not like he was even reading it, but he still whines as I flip the page to a spread that looks similar to our own living room.One guess as to where mom got her decoration inspiration from.
