And the funny thing is, nothing about us feels fake. It never has.
After we pick up Allie from Nova Scotia, I give her the news without telling her everything. She doesn’t need to know that the man I’ve fallen in for is with the Russian Bratva.
That’s a secret I don’t think my thirteen-year-old daughter can keep.
She’s ecstatic to hear that we’re back together and that we’ll be living in a new house. Although she has a lot more questions than I have answers, I’ve promised her that we’ll take it one step at a time.
“This house is so big!” Allie says. Her mouth drops as we head past the wrought iron gates and guard entrance.
“Our family lives here. All of us, under one roof,” Dmitri says.
“Like your parents and grandparents?” Allie asks.
“My brothers.”
“That’s so cool! I wish I had siblings. It would be neat to live with them when we grow up.”
I exhale a nervous breath, not wanting Allie to probe any further regarding Dmitri and his family. She’s an intelligent young girl and bright enough to figure out that these men aren’t biologically related to him.
“Are you sure that it’s okay for us to stay here with you?” I ask. I don’t want to be a hindrance.
“I insist. And I’ve already contacted your neighbor who is watching Kona. She’ll be dropping him off this evening.” Dmitri pulls up out front of the main entrance and puts the vehicle into park. I step out. The mansion is clearly on two lots and is well maintained.
Dmitri opens the trunk and retrieves our luggage from the trip. We’ve already discussed having to return to the apartment to pack up our belongings, but he’s insisted that he will have movers handle everything. We’re not to return to the apartment unless he’s accompanying us.
Allie admires the outside of the building, standing out front, staring at the intricate trim, décor, and architecture. “Wow.”
“I know. They say the outside has real gold trim,” Dmitri whispers a little too loudly to Allie.
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
Dmitri shrugs. “That’s what I’ve heard.”
I smile, watching the two of them interact. He’s good with Allie. She’s never had a male figure in her life and to think the men she’ll grow up around from this point forward will be members of the bratva is frightening.
But if they’re anything like Dmitri, then it won’t be so bad. I like him a lot, which explains why it was so easy for me to agree to move in with him. I have my doubts, but he’s promised to protect me, and with the Italian Mafia lurking in the shadows, this is the safest option.
Allie slides her arm into his, letting him escort her inside. He leaves the luggage by the front entrance and gives us a tour of the interior.
The house is magnificent. The staircase on the right spirals up to the second floor. Dmitri gives us a tour first of the downstairs, introducing us to the other children and their mothers in the playroom, before showing us the dining room, kitchen, and bathroom.
The tour continues upstairs. Dmitri grabs our bags. He doesn’t let me carry anything, and he’s right. I need to let my ribs heal after the bear incident.
Dmitri shows Allie her bedroom, and next door is our room. Relief floods through me that her sleeping arrangements are close by.
She plops down on the mattress, glancing around the barren room. There’s a dresser opposite the bed and a nightstand, but not much else.
“Can I decorate it?” she asks.
“If you want to put posters on the walls, I’m sure that’s fine.”
“What about paint?” A wide grin spreads across her face. “I’ve always wanted to paint my room, but I couldn’t because it was an apartment.”
Dmitri offers a warm smile. “That will be our first order of business.”
“Really?” Allie’s eyes light up.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll drive to the store, and you can pick whatever color you want for your bedroom.”