Crave (Beneath The Secrets #3)

12. Alexei

CHAPTER 12

ALEXEI

“Come on, come on. This way.” I grab Lara’s hand and guide her out onto the veranda in the backyard.

“Hold it right there. Don’t move.” I square her shoulders so she can face just perfectly.

“Alexei, you know this is ridiculous, right?” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. It’s tinged with the sweet wine we just drank inside.

I know she’s trying to look upset, but the lift of her mouth says she’s enjoying herself.

“Okay, you can look.” Holding my arms out, I direct her blinking attention to my beautiful Sheila.

Lara’s eyes widen. “No shit?” She takes a half step forward, then pauses. “Does she bite?”

“Just when I caught her. She didn’t want to come home with me, but after I made her, she likes it here.” Cupping my hand around Sheila’s long neck, I urge her closer to Lara.

“Alexei.” Lara’s brows drop. “You need to let her go. She’s a wild animal.”

Her features soften when she reaches out and slowly strokes Sheila’s pink feathered head. “She’s gorgeous though.”

“That time I borrowed your car? The stupid throttle locked and zipped me across that golf course. I didn’t mean to, but I clipped her with the tire and broke her leg.” I bend over and point to the healed limb. “She’s better now, but still is slow at walking. So I’m taking care of her.”

Lara’s palm flattens over my wrist. “That’s so sweet! What are you going to do with her during the party? Is that big pool out front that you’re having set up for her?”

My head shakes. “No. That’s for anyone who wants to swim, and I think the guys have a dunk tank they were talking about setting up.”

Shit.

“I have to go, will you watch her for me?” I start moving out of the patio, but my dick still pinches when I walk.

“Alexei? What is going on with you? Why are you walking funny?” Her voice has a tinge of concern.

“Nothing. It’s Jax’s fault.” I don’t want to tell her what happened.

“What did he do?” Her brows furrow as she glances down, making her cheeks flush pink.

“He lied to me.” I’ll leave it at that. “I’ll be back.”

She looks confused, but I don’t want to explain any further.

It only takes me a moment to find the bushy green hair of the hired clown.

“Hey, Bubbles.” I feel strange calling a grown man that. “Is everyone here? My friends will be showing up any time.”

The big man with the wild chartreuse wig turns and smiles so wide that the white makeup he has plastering his face cracks around his mouth. “Yes, boss. I have someone running the desserts and bar, and someone else setting up a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game.”

I never really noticed he has an accent like mine before.

“ Ty iz Rossii? ” I ask him.

“Yes, I’m from Russia, but came here as a child.” His grin freezes at the edges. “Is there anything else? I need to get set up for the balloon animals and the magic show.” The oversized red shoes on his feet twitch as he starts to back away.

“Just one more thing. The most important part.” I grab hold of his arm to stop him, pulling him around to look me level in the eyes.

“Um, okay?” He squints at me before looking to the side. The oversized shirt grows taut as he tries to pull slowly against my grip.

I reach out and seize his other sleeve, squaring him up. “I’m serious, clown. This is vital.” I let my voice drop, hoping he understands.

His painted chin begins to quiver. “I swear I’ll do it. Please, man.” Leaning away, I notice his palm beginning to ease into his pocket.

I bet he’s going to show me his balloons.

“Listen. I need you to be funny. Make Lara laugh.” My teeth grit inches from his red, bulbous nose.

The breeze of his rapid inhale whisks past my face. “Oh.” He blinks rapidly. “Of course.” He tugs away, smoothing out his purple shirt.

When he turns away, I hear him muttering to himself in Russian, but I don’t pay attention.

I got my point across.

Today is going to be hard on Lara when she sees Nikolai and Mila for the first time.

I’d do anything to make her happy.

The first cars begin to pull in the driveway. I catch a glimpse of Mikhail followed closely by Nikolai and Mila.

Uh oh. I better go check on Lara before she sees them.

More tires churn over the gravel marking Jax and Sofia.

At least everyone is here. That should make Lara smile.

Limping my way back towards the veranda, I pinch the tip of my dick one last time and try to dull back the pain.

It doesn’t hurt nearly as bad, and doesn’t hurt at all when I’m naked.

That wouldn’t be a good look here. Maybe I should have worn my silk boxers. I never thought about my zipper rubbing without any underwear on.

“Alexei, I think your bird looks excited. I heard vehicles, is everyone here?” Lara gets up from the lounge chair on the deck.

“Um, I think so. Let me just get her in her cage?—”

Lara opens the door to the patio, and Sheila rushes forward with a squawk.

“No!” I chase after her, grabbing my crotch to keep the chafing minimal as I try to run. “Sheila! Wait!”

She flaps her wings and hops into the large kiddy pool I had set up for the girls.

Everyone watches me, but I don’t care.

“Sheila, come here!”

I can hear Lara laughing at me. “Alexei, if she wants to swim, let her.”

Her footsteps fade towards where my friends are gathered near the bar.

But I have to rescue Sheila.

Circling from one side to the other just pushes her to swim away from me.

“Why did her brother get to go, and not me?” Lara’s voice carries to me as she jabs a finger towards Mila.

Crap, she sounds upset.

It looks like Mikhail is trying to calm her.

“I didn’t get invited either. Don’t take it personally.”

Lara glares at him. “You rarely go to anything you’re invited to. I’m surprised you’re here, to be honest.”

Mikhail shrugs.

Nikolai sighs. “Lara, it’s done. We’re just as married as if there were a million people there.”

I can hear Lara getting upset.

Maybe I can do something to stop them all from talking. Hobbling over to the balloons, I grab one and pull out my knife.

This should work for getting Sheila out of the water. She hates loud noises.

When I pop it, everyone startles.

But Sheila doesn’t get out of the pool.

Guess I need another.

“Alexei? What the hell, man?” Jax turns and yells at me.

I walk over, spreading my legs apart with each step. “I’m trying to scare Sheila out.”

Jax starts laughing. “It isn’t working.” He points at the lazy circles the flamingo is doing. “Still sore? I told you not to do that shit.”

Nodding, I cup my crotch. “I think by next week it shouldn’t sting anymore.”

Nikolai grunts. “What the hell did you do?”

Good, Lara is watching me and not him.

With a wide grin, I start to drop my zipper. “I’ll show you.”

“No!” They all join voices in trying to stop me.

I roll my eyes. “I saw Jax get his, but I wanted to get one, too. I just don’t have any kids, so the stones didn’t make sense.”

“So you pierced your dick? I still think you’re a dumbass.” Jax snickers over his beer before tossing the empty bottle into the garbage can.

Lara pokes Nikolai in the chest. “I’m not done. Why wasn’t I invited? Am I not a close enough family member?” A droplet runs down her cheek. “Am I not good enough?” Her lower lip trembles.

Fuck. This isn’t working. She’s supposed to be happy .

Nikolai kisses the top of her head. “Don’t be silly. I love you. We didn’t want a big fuss. You know me.”

A horn blows, signaling a line of servers to appear with an oversized cake and tubs of ice cream.

“Time for the birthday boy to blow out his candles!” The green haired clown calls out while carrying the cake to the table.

Now is my chance to get her away. “Come on, Lara. Let’s get a snack. It always makes me feel better.”

She pauses, wiping her eyes. “No,” she says, shaking her head. “I can’t. I just, well, I need some air.” Turning, she pulls away from my grasp and heads towards the woods

Shit. “I’m going to get her a slice.”

I care about Lara more than Sheila. If my flamingo wants to swim, fine.

But I need to make sure Lara is okay.

“What’s up with you and Lara?” Jax follows me over to the plates.

“We’re friends.” I shrug, picking up two slices.

I don’t look at him, I keep my eyes fixated on Lara as she walks away. I hate the way her cheeks are reddening. Her jaw is tense and she’s tapping her fingers on her palm.

She’s upset.

Jax watches me, then gestures at her moving towards the trees. “You don’t look at her like you’re just friends.”

“Fine. We’re best friends. Just don’t tell Niki, he will get all jealous, okay?” For a split second, I drag my focus to Jax and find him smirking behind his bottle of beer.

“What?” I ask in frustration.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “You’ll figure it out one day, Alexei.”

I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. Right now, Lara being upset is my main concern.

When I glance up to find her again, she’s disappeared into the thick grove.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Jax.

Lara needs me.