While Hana gets water for herself, I pour Alexei and I each a finger of vodka, and before we down it, we murmur, “Na zdoróv'je.”
I fill Alexei’s glass with vodka again while pouring myself a bourbon.
“What does that mean?” Hana asks as she comes to stand close to my side. “The words you just said.” She places her hand on my back, and when I lift my arm around her shoulders, she presses into my side.
Most people find Alexei… intimidating. I’m not surprised she’s cautious of him.
“To your heart’s content,” Alexei answers her. “It’s how we toast in Russia.”
I nudge Hana toward the couch. “I’m going to get started with dinner. The two of you should sit and get to know each other.”
Alexei takes a seat and rests his right leg on his knee, getting comfortable.
Hana sits down on the edge of the couch opposite from him, her demeanor on guard. Leaning over her, I press a kiss to her hair. Moving lower to her ear, I whisper, “You’re safe.”
As I straighten up, her eyes dart to mine. I smile to set her at ease, and it works because she scoots back and curls up against the armrest.
I walk to the kitchen as Alexei says, “Tristan tells me you’re studying law.”
“I am.”
I keep an eye on them while I prepare the mac and cheese, one of the few things I can make.
“Do you and Tristan know each other from work?” Hana asks him.
Alexei’s eyes flick to me as he answers, “You could say so, but he’s more like a little brother to me.” Hearing the words makes my lips curl up. Alexei continues to explain, “Most of my family is still in Russia, and my brother’s in Switzerland, so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like to.”
A compassionate smile grazes Hana’s face. “I’m glad you have Tristan.”
Alexei lets out a chuckle. “We’ll share him.”
Taking a sip of my bourbon, I watch the two most important people in my life. Everything feels complete now.
I’m busy stirring the cheese sauce when I hear Hana say, “I heard Tristan has a friend who’s involved in illegal activities.” My eyes snap to her, and my hand stills. “Would that be you?”
Surprise ripples through me at hearing her direct question.
My gaze moves to Alexei, and I watch as he tilts his head, as if he’s sizing Hana up. Then he murmurs, “Yes.”
Hana nods, seemingly deep in thought. When her lips part, Alexei shakes his head. “Don’t ask.” His features soften. “What I do is not meant for your ears.”
Hana nods again, and she takes a sip of her water.
I let out a relieved breath and focus on the food.
Once we’re seated at the dining table, Hana grins at the plate in front of her. “It looks good.”
Alexei, on the other hand, gives the food a wary look. “Eating this will be the true definition of bravery,” he mutters, drawing laughter from Hana and me.
I wait for them to each take a bite, then Alexei’s eyebrow pops up. “Good.”
Hana lets out a moan making both of us stare at her as she says, “Creamy. Just the way I love it.”
I begin to eat, and after a couple of bites, Alexei says, “Tristan tells me you share a suite with your friends.”
Hana swallows her food. “Yes. It used to be just the four guys until my friends and I started at Trinity. Since then, they’re all slowly pairing up. It was first Hunter and Jade. Now it looks like there’s something happening between Jase and Mila.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised to hear my cousin is actually interested in someone. That it’s Ryker’s sister is an even bigger surprise.
Hana nods. “It’s only a matter of time. Then Fallon and Kao need to get together, and everything will be perfect.”
I turn my attention to Alexei and explain, “Jase is my cousin, and Mila is Ryker’s little sister.”
Alexei has met Ryker, and though they’re not friends, they do get along… well enough.
“Student life,” Alexei chuckles. “All love and little work.”
Hana smiles. “Something like that.”
“Noah’s still not seeing anyone?” I ask, knowing he’s always Hana’s plus one to the events held at the academy. The only reason I allow it is because I know Noah wouldn’t try anything, and I’d probably kill someone if I had to be around all those students. Getting through the four years while I was studying was hard enough.
She shakes her head. “He’s too focused on his schoolwork.”
I glance at Alexei, “Noah is Ryker’s cousin. The guy is a genius. God only knows why he’s not done studying yet. With his IQ, I’d get that shit over within a week.”
Alexei lets out a burst of laughter. “Always so impatient, brother.”
“Actually,” Hana says as she leans back in the chair. “Tristan can be patient. He waited eight months to date me.”