A Treacherous Killer-Dark Bratva Romance

four

Nadia

I keep telling myself that being nervous was ridiculous, that I've been to Caine's manor many times before, but something about pulling into the circle drive and putting my car in park sends a tingle down my spine.

I'm here to see Maeve, I'm not here to talk to Caine. I know that I will have to eventually with Simon working for him now and Maeve being the only real friend that I have. I'm just afraid that when I look at him, all I will see is Alexei's killer.

I walk up the steps and don't bother with knocking, pushing the front door open and walking into the foyer. It's lunch time and the unmistakable smell of Irina's cooking wafts through the house.

"Caine? You're back already?" Maeve calls from upstairs. She comes to stand at the landing, peering down at me. Her eyes widen in surprise, her mouth opening slightly.

"Sorry I didn't knock," I stammer awkwardly. Maeve doesn't even seem to hear my excuse. Her face lights up in an instant and she bounds down the stairs towards me wrapping me in a tight embrace. I immediately return her hug, her familiar scent of honey and vanilla bringing me comfort.

She eventually pulls back to study me, her brown eyes roaming my face. "How are you?" I know the meaning behind her question. She wants to know how I'm dealing with Alexei's death.

"I'm okay," I reply with a tight lipped smile.

"Have you had lunch? Irina cooked Pelmini," She offers, hooking my arm through her's as she leads me out the back door to the patio.

A few moments later, Irina brings bowls of Pelmini out and I watch curiously as Maeve tears into her dumplings, almost finishing half her bowl before I've even picked up my fork.

Irina was an excellent cook. I had missed her delectable meals while being away. I would never tell Yarina but I preferred the taste of Irina's Pelmini over her's. Although there was no competition when it came to Yarina's baking.

"I'm sorry I didn't call," I say after a while. "I want you to know I wouldn't ignore you on purpose." Maeve looks up at me and slowly lowers her fork.

"No need to apologize. You don't have to explain yourself to me Nadia.
Caine told me Simon was planning to take you on a trip. I knew you needed space," She says, softly. I avert my gaze and instead, study the hedges intently.

"Is something else wrong?" She questions, reaching her hand forward to rest on top of mine. I think of lying and telling her everything is fine, at least that's what my mind immediately goes to. However Maeve has always been honest and forthright with me and above all, I trust her.

I take a meaningful breath before answering. "My mother is insisting that I marry soon," I say, rubbing the sides of my temples. "She says that me being involved with Alexei tainted my social image and the sooner I marry some rich man of her liking, the sooner the whole Alexei thing gets swept under the rug," I finish with a deep sigh.

I glance up to find Maeve staring at me with bewilderment. "How could she possibly think that marriage is the best thing for you right now?"

I slump down in my chair, thoughts of my mother and her constant belittling of me souring my mood. "You don't know my mother Maeve. She's insufferable. Always pushing me to be the perfect daughter. She thinks marriage is the answer to all my problems." I push my chair back, needing to walk around to calm the emotions roiling around in my stomach.

Maeve stands too and we walk side by side down the cobble pathway around the garden.

"But you're only twenty, you have plenty of time to find someone and settle down." She argues.