Andrei calmed her a little, but having faith in people was a little hard for her to do, especially with the crimes she had to deal with on a regular basis. History had showed her people could be selfish and cruel.
But Andrei had asked her to believe in him. Was that so hard for her to do?
“This is meant to be a relaxed time for you to meet them and for them to see why I love you so much. Trust in that.” He put his hand on her thigh, and the feel of his warmth steadied her panic until it drifted away with the buildings they passed.
“All right,” Victoria asked. “I trust you.”
Andrei left out the specifics of the country house. The long driveway was surrounded by trees and flowers to make it seem more like a botanical garden then the entrance to a residence. The so-called house wasn’t a house unless you took five or six of them and merged them together to make a country mansion. Behind the house was a lake that looked private since Victoria couldn’t see another house in the area.
“This is where you grew up?”
“Yeah, but it’s been renovated since then.”
“What could you possibly have to renovate?”
“My mother wanted more space, and my father had to comply or feel her wrath.”
“I like her already.?
??
A woman opened the mansion door, and Victoria saw an immediate family resemblance.
“Andrei! Finally,” she said and hugged him tight.
“Hi, mom,” Andrei said. “It’s good to be here.”
She looked at Victoria and a large smile covered her face, one that was hard to fake. “This must be Victoria.” Andrei’s mother hugged Victoria so tightly that Victoria could not breathe. The woman smelled like flowers and pie, and for some reason that helped Victoria finally feel relieved at being there.
“You’re so beautiful,” his mother said. “Come in, and we’ll get you settled.” She took Victoria’s hand and led her through the house as if she’d done it multiple times before already.
Victoria was speechless, but Mrs. Rusak didn’t seem to mind that and Victoria didn’t try to pull away. When she glanced back, Andrei had their overnight bags, and Victoria saw something she had never seen in him before. Pride. A pride like he enjoyed having her there and that shocked her more than anything.
Sam looked like his and Andrei’s father, and the oldest Rusak was the only one who intimidated her some, but after a stern calling out from Mrs. Rusak, the man seemed to soften up some.
“Where’s your sister?” Victoria asked, remembering Andrei had two siblings.
“She’s on an errand to bring something special soon,” Andrei said. “She’ll be here soon. Erik should be too.”
“He beat you here,” Mrs. Rusak said. “That boy can eat. He’s been asking if I can give him a sample of the dinner before everyone eats.”
“That’s because your cooking is so good,” a voice said. A tall man came into view, and he looked like he towered over everyone but Andrei and Mr. Rusak.
“Honey, this is my best friend, Erik,” Andrei said.
“Awful introduction,” Erik said. “But I can do one better.” Without warning, Erik lifted Victoria up into a bear hug and swung her around in his friendly embrace.”
“Erik, don’t break my girl. You may want to give her some personal space and room to breathe.”
The Rusak family was one made of huggers, something Victoria’s family didn’t do often. She admitted to herself she kind of liked the change and ended up laughing by the time Erik put her back down on her feet.
“Sorry. I feel like I know you already.”
She smiled up at him. “I don’t mind,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you, Erik.”
“Wow. You’re more gorgeous than Erik let on. Too polite for his own good too.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment for her,” Andrei said. “Not too sure about me.”