“I’ll watch them tonight.” He sighs, rubbing a hand against his jaw. “But this isn’t going to happen again, Andrei.”
Chapter 9
Blair
Andrei showing up for dinner was expected. Dragging Niko and I out of the house and depositing us at Alexei Trenin’s doorstep was not.
I wasn’t planning on going out today. The most exciting thing I’d accounted for was Andrei stopping by and badgering me about eating while I did my best to pretend he wasn’t there, which doesn’t require me or Niko to be dressed up.
In fact, if we were hanging out at home all day, it would be perfectly acceptable for Niko to still be in his pajamas. And if I was lounging around in worn leggings and an old hoodie? That’d be expected, too.
So when he parked outside of the high-rise apartment building, my anxiety combined with insecurity in a toxic mixture that I’m half convinced everyone around me can see written plainly on my face.
It didn’t help that I couldn’t stop blushing as Andrei glowered while he carried Niko around like it was nothing, or that I can’t stop thinking about how his stubborn demands stirredfeelings I shouldn’t be having for someone like him. I refuse to think too hard about any of that right now.
The fact that it’s my first time meeting Nadya is only making everything worse.
She tucks a strand of shoulder-length hair behind her ear while I try to get over myself. It’s not like either she or her brother are particularly dressed up. In fact, she’s wearing loose jeans and a worn-out sweater. Unlike Niko, I don’t look too far out of place, but from the way he’s focused on mimicking the careful way Nadya pinches shut a lump of filling and dough, I doubt he feels like it.
His work isn’t nearly as neat, but he looks satisfied as he presents the messy lump of dough to her, beaming from ear to ear. Shaking my head, I turn back to the pile of vegetables in front of me. Nadya tried to tell me that I’m a guest and shouldn’t have to do anything, but that’s not exactly true.
We were forced on them. I appreciate that she’s trying to put a pretty bow on it, but it is what it is.
After I insisted, she let me cut vegetables for a salad, a small distraction I’m very grateful to have.
“So, not that I mind the extra company, but”—she grins, a teasing glint in her eye as Niko tries again to pinch shut a ball of dough—“whydidAndrei bring you guys here?” She doesn’t sound resentful, just curious, and that keeps me from feeling even worse.
I wish I knew. Andrei couldn’t be bothered to answer any of my questions on the way over. He just showed up, grabbed Niko, piled us into his car, and dumped us here.
“Your guess is as good as mine.” I shrug. Sure, he’s stopped by more often than not lately, but I figured he was making sure I didn’t take the first opportunity to run.
“Seriously? And here I was, hoping for some juicy gossip.” Nadya bumps her hip against mine.
“Sorry to disappoint.” I grin weakly. “Maybe he thinks I’ve spent too much time cooped up at home, and this is his way of letting me know.”
She laughs, head thrown back and looking so at home that I feel cramped, despite the large, open kitchen.
“Man, I was hoping that you were fun so I could actually have someone cool to hang out with.”
“Hey, I’m cooler than you are.” I flinch at Alexei’s voice, but he’s smiling at Nadya with steady affection. “Maybe if you could figure out how to make friends without havingmyfriends hand deliver them, you’d be able to see that.”
“Oh, you have friends? That’s news to me.” He flips her off, looking chagrined when Nadya glares at him while pointing at Niko. “So, Mr. Popular, when’s the last time you hung out with someone you weren’t related to?”
He narrows his eyes at her while I toss the salad. “And when’s the last time you talked toanyonethat wasn’t me?” She sticks her tongue out at him, and it feels like this is a conversation they’ve had a dozen times before.
“Alexei, look!” Niko interrupts, completely oblivious as he presents a butchered mess of dough that starts to fall apart in his hands the moment he picks it up. His proud look doubles when the corners of Alexei’s lips quirk up, rubbing the top of his head.
“Good job, Nikolai. Do you want to try to throw it in the oven and see how it turns out?” He helps Niko put the hand pie on a baking sheet and stands to leave the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“I have to make a few calls. Let me know when the food’s done.”
Nadya rolls her eyes, but nods.
“God forbid you have fun for once in your life.”
As soon as he leaves the room, Niko’s off, following him. I reach out to stop him, but Nadya lays a hand on my arm. “Let him be. If anything, Niko will keep him from getting so busy he forgets we’re here. I mean, my brother’s great and all, but he’s a fucking buzzkill.”
I’m still reluctant to let Niko out of my sight, especially since I don’t trust Alexei as far as I can throw him, but if I don’t give Niko a little space, it’ll only be a matter of time before he starts to lash out at me. More than he already has, that is.