LYAH
The sun streams through the large windows of the great hall casting a warm glow over this special gathering.
Niko gave me free rein over several of the social areas of the compound, and I’ve relished having the rooms redecorated to make this a much more welcoming space, filled with plush seating and rich color. A place for families and entertaining. It’s still a utilitarian Bratva fortress on the outside, but now it has style on the inside.
The air is filled with laughter and chatter, but nothing strikes me as hard as the soft coos of Andrei, the sweet baby boy nestled in my arms.
Friends and family have come together to celebrate the arrival of our little one. I even begrudgingly invited my mother, though Niko and I still harbor a lot of resentment towards her.
Today though, the atmosphere is vibrant with joy, something I never expected to see in this place. But in deference to our family, Niko has moved the majority of his business to his Manhattan headquarters. The only men who bunk here in the Brighton Beach compound now are the soldiers who safeguard us. With the exception of Darian, of course. This is still his home, too.
Looking around the room, I feel my heart swell with happiness. It’s been a tumultuous journey to get to this moment, but now, surrounded by friends, loved ones, and allies, I feel a sense of peace. Well, as much peace as there’ll ever be in this world we live in. I’m not naive. I know there’s danger out there; for us more than most. But I also know Niko will stop at nothing to protect his family, and the alliances he’s forging with the Irish and the Italians make us all stronger.
My husband stands nearby, his presence a steady anchor as he and Darian chat with guests as they arrive. Even the appearance of Catriona Smith doesn’t faze me as she hangs off the pair of them, fawning and flirting, seemingly uncaring of the fact Niko is a married man. I no longer harbor the fear she’s his mistress. Niko only has eyes for me and I’m secure in that knowledge… although if she attempts to fondle him so inappropriately once more, I will cut a bitch.
Roisin and Maricela join me, rolling their eyes as they watch her little show. “Jesus, that woman reeks of desperation,” Roisin says bluntly as she sends Catriona the evil eye. “If she goes near Dominic, you’d better hold me back.”
Maricela smiles and shakes her head. “I don’t think she has that much of a death wish.” Both women have had their own issues with Million’s daughter. It’s just unfortunate the three of us have to put on a polite front where she’s concerned since her father is in business with both families.
“Million is just using her to secure his shipping contracts,” I remind them, though I’m sure they know.
“Well, I wish she’d keep her sticky paws to either Callum or Darian then,” Maricela grumbles, likely recalling how Ciaran dated her very briefly.
Roisin pulls a face. “Janey Mack! Do not wish that woman on Cal. Do you want her as a sister-in-law?”
I swat her lightly with the back of my hand. “Hey, I don’t want her as a sister-in-law, either!”
Andrei gurgles, and the woman is quickly forgotten as they both start doting on the baby like they don’t have their own. “Aww, you forget how small they are,” Roisin murmurs. “It almost makes me want another…” Her gaze flits across the room to where Dominic stands, and his eyes lift to hers like he knows she’s searching him out. The look that passes between them is almost indecent, and eventually Maricela clears her throat. “Dear lord, can you quit eye fucking your husband until you’re alone?”
Roisin looks indignant and gives Maricela the side eye. “Like I haven’t seen you doing the same to Ciaran. Which is totally gross, by the way. At least Dominic isn’t your brother!” She makes a gagging sound and we all burst out laughing, causing each of our men to raise their eyebrows, wondering what’s so funny.
As the party continues, Niko catches my eye and gestures for me to join him. Roisin takes the opportunity to steal Andrei. I can’t believe she’s so broody when her daughter, Siobhan, isn’t even a year old.
“My sweet sonechko," he says softly, nibbling at my ear in a way that gives me all kinds of ideas. It’s been a hard six weeks of no hanky-panky since Andrei was born. "I have something for you."
I waggle my eyebrows suggestively, and he lands a light slap on my ass. “Not that, wench. You’re incorrigible!”
“Later then?” I ask, playfully, but for once Niko just rolls his eyes.
“I’m trying to do something nice here, and your mind is in the gutter,” he chuckles, clearly amused.
I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “Really? What is it?"
Niko pulls me over to a table where something large and flat is propped against the wall with a sheet covering it. “For you,” he tells me, sweeping his arm out towards it. “Open it.”
Wondering what on earth it can be, I yank away the material to reveal a truly beautiful painting. My breath catches in my throat. It’s a stunning piece by Aspen, an artist I’ve long admired. The colors dance across the canvas, capturing a serene landscape that feels both familiar and dreamlike, and as I study it, I’m surprised to recognize it’s a portrayal of my favorite part of the compound's grounds, meaning he had this specially commissioned. I didn’t even know Aspen did that kind of work.
"Niko," I whisper, tears welling in my eyes. "This is... incredible."
He smiles, a hint of pride in his expression. "I wanted you to have something exceptional - a special gift for bringing our child into this world. You deserve it."
It honestly feels like my heart has expanded to fill my chest as I gaze at the painting and the thought he’s put into it. It’s not just a gift; it’s a symbol of our journey together, of the love that blossomed like poppies in a barren field. "Thank you," I murmur, even though the word is not enough, before going on tiptoe to kiss him softly on the lips, uncaring who might be watching.
I’ve turned back to gaze on the painting some more when Kaiden walks up behind me, his presence commanding attention. Relations with La Cosa Nostra are… a work in progress, still. Soured by the discovery that Kaiden’s adoptive father, Vito, the Viper, Rossi, was responsible for so much of the grief in my life but lifted by the information Kaiden provided to Niko when he was searching for me.
He’s been invited as a gesture of goodwill. We’re all trying to remember the Viper is dead, and those remaining shouldn’t necessarily be tarred with the same brush. But in this time when Red Scorpion is still causing havoc, targeting more organizations than just ours, we all need to build a strong allied front against them. That’s been especially hard since nobody’s managed to find out anything solid on the individual players behind the issues, or who is fronting the resurgence of Red Scorpion. It’s made all the opposing syndicates wary and suspicious of each other. But those of us who are forward thinking enough, recognize it as a tactic being used to drive wedges between the allies.
Divide and conquer.
