A Treacherous Killer-Dark Bratva Romance

forty two

Nadia

Maks and I walk up the steps of my parent's house together. I feel a nervous buzz of energy coasting through me but I find comfort in the feel of Maks's hand in mine.

We enter into the foyer and find it empty. I briefly wonder if anyone is at home but I had called my father yesterday afternoon to ensure he would be here this morning so I could see him.

"You think they caught a flight somewhere to avoid meeting with us?" Maks says in a low voice.

I huff out a laugh but quickly school my features when my father comes walking around the corner. "Nadia," he sighs with relief. He comes forward and pulls me into a hug. I can't recall the last time my father hugged me. It had to have been when I was a child. The Mirsky's rarely ever showed affection.

I try to hide my surprise and hug my father back. When he steps back I can see how relieved he is to see me. I remembered Maks telling me that my father knew Emil had been lying. I wonder if he feels just as betrayed by Emil's lies as I do. From the slump of his shoulders and the dark circles under his eyes, I'd say he did.

"I'm so glad you're okay," he exclaims. I simply nod and find my place next to Maks again. Maks puts a protective arm around my waist and I watch as my father's eyes follow the gesture.

"So you weren't lying when you said she was going to be with you," Father says to Maks.

"No," Maks says evenly. "I wasn't lying. Nadia and I wish to be together. I care for your daughter and I want her to move in with me."

My father glances down at his shoes before straightening and nodding his head. "If that's what Nadia wishes."

"It is," I quickly supply. Father studies me for a beat, no doubt trying to find a bit of reluctance in my tone but there's not any. I have no doubts about my feelings for Maks. The silence stretches until I finally clear my throat.

"Where's mother?" I ask. On the phone, father had stated she was still resting but that she was on the mend.

"Nadia," mother breathes out from the top of the stairs. As soon as she reaches me, she hugs much like father did. My father hugging me was a surprise but my mother pulling me into her arms was a shock. She had never been motherly to Simon and I as children, Yarina had filled in that gap.

"I was so worried," she says. She pulls back and holds me at arms length. The sight of her strikes me. The skin under her eyes is dark, her face is splotchy like she'd been crying which is proven by the redness of her eyes. Had she really been worried about me?

I'm not doubting my mother doesn't love me, I know deep down in that hollow heart of her's she cares very deeply for Simon and I. I'm sure the possibility of losing either of us scared her. I think that's why she reacted the way she did when Simon joined the Bratva and when she caught me with Maks.

"I'd like to speak with you alone," mother says, glancing over at Maks. Maks clears his throat and shoves his hands down in the pockets of his trousers.

"I'll wait in the car," he offers. I give him a tight lipped smile and he goes to leave.

"Thank you," mother calls after him. I think everyone in the room can't quite believe those words just left her lips. Maks turns halfway and glances back at her. "Thank you for saving my daughter," she finishes.

A beat passes before Maks's shoulders eventually fall and he gives her a half smirk. "You're welcome." With that, he leaves out the front door and bounds down the steps.

"Well, I'll give you two some alone time. I'm assuming you will still come around and visit won't you Nadia?" Father questions.

"Of course," I supply. He gives me a nod and then retreats to his office towards the back of the house. I'm left alone with mother in foyer and I'm suddenly nervous about what she has to say to me. I'm sure father had told her about my intentions to move in with Maks and after what happened with Emil there was no chance of talking me out of it.