Possession of the Bratva (Morozov Bratva #15)

Chapter 24 - Mila

Scanning the files on the computer, I made notes for Abram. The file contained all the changes required at one of the gambling houses. There was a leak, a hack, and a robbery about a week ago, and security had to be taken up a notch.

Once I had organized the list according to importance, I could send it to him. Abram would ensure everything got done. Tasha was handling the security cameras and computers. My list included duties for the guards, the perimeter, and safeguarding documents.

I was ecstatic that Aleksandr was allowing me to assist. Helping the Dubow family, my new family, with these smaller tasks brought us closer together. I was starting to feel more and more part of the family. Aleksandr was surprisingly supportive of my involvement in the family business.

We were growing closer with each passing day. I could feel the bond we shared strengthening. I only had a couple more items to list, then I was heading out. Aleksandr had agreed for me to visit my siblings without chaperoning me.

It’s been a while since I’d been to the mansion where I lived with my siblings. I was excited to be going home, even if it was only for a visit. Sending the last email, I rose from his desk, grabbed my bag, and headed down.

I felt a tender touch on my shoulder as I was about to leave. Spinning around, Aleksandr caught me in his embrace, pushing me up against the door. Our eyes met as I felt his breath caressing my lips.

Opening my mouth to speak, I felt his finger lightly touching them. “Shhh,” he silenced me. “You must enjoy your visit. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” His finger slid down, and he lifted my chin. Leaning in, Aleksandr kissed me affectionately. I stood for a moment as he turned and headed up the stairs.

Sometimes, he was so mysterious. My heart skipped a beat as desire flooded my senses. He had a way of making me want him. I couldn’t describe it, but I knew it was there. Aleksandr had arranged for my bike to be collected, so I had my own transport.

I hadn’t let my family know I was coming; I wanted to surprise them. I loved feeling the wind in my hair. The morning air was cool but not cold. Pulling in through the gates, I switched off the engine. I sat staring at the mansion.

With the number of vehicles parked by the garage, I knew the entire family was home. I wondered if they were having a meeting. Getting off my bike, I pushed it the rest of the way. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they heard me coming, I thought as I flipped out of the stand.

Walking around the side of the mansion, I entered from the pool’s side. The double glass doors were open. Most of the family was seated at the dining table. Dahlia and Alyssa weren’t there, but everyone else was.

“Hey, stranger,” Piotr shouted as he saw me. Everyone turned and looked my way. The room lit up with smiles and more surprised outbursts. Dahlia and Alyssa both came out of the kitchen. “Mila,” Dahlia exclaimed.

Leon spoke up once everyone had a turn to hug me and welcome me home. “So, where is Aleksandr?”

My family glanced at each other. “Did you run away?” Konstantin asked in a teasing tone. Dahlia gave him a light tap on the shoulder as she responded. “No, she wouldn’t.”

“Did something happen? Is Aleksandr okay? Are you okay, Mila?” Dahlia added. Her voice was slightly raised, and I heard some worry in her undertone.

“No, No, no,” I said, grinning. “Nothing of the sort, calm down people. I came to visit. Aleksandr is waiting for me at home.” Stepping closer to Dahlia, I took her hands and smiled at her. “Everything is fine, I promise.”

Dahlia let out a small sigh as Piotr spoke. “He let you come on your own then?”

“Yes, he did. We are family,” I replied, glancing over Dahlia’s shoulder. Everyone was staring at me. I could see some disbelief on their faces.

Dahlia hugged me as she spoke. “It’s so nice to see you, Mila.” Pulling back and turning, she continued. “Don’t you all agree?”

I watched them all nod, replying, “Yes, of course.”

“Well, then,” I said, stepping forward and moving past them to the kitchen. “I’ll just be going to the kitchen to get myself a drink, seeing that all of you have lost your manners.”

“So, sorry, Mila,” Dahlia replied, following me to the kitchen.

“You know the lay of the land, don’t you?” Konstantin added as I heard my brothers chuckling.

Turning at the kitchen entrance, I spat back jokingly. “Do you treat all your guests this way, guys?”

“No, just family,” Leon shouted as Dahlia, and I disappeared into the kitchen.

“Ignore them,” Dahlia said, getting a beer from the fridge. “They did miss you.”

“I know, no hard feeling here, Dahlia. Relax.”

She smiled warmly at me as we returned to the living room. Everyone had sat back down. My place was open, and I slid into my chair. “So, are you having a family meeting without me?” I asked lightly.

“Nope,” Piotr stated calmly. “We were just visiting. You happened to come at the right time.”

Grinning, I sipped my beer before replying. “Good timing then. So, what has everyone been up to in my absence?” I listened as each of my brothers took turns telling me about the work. They spoke of their children and the outings they have shared.

At that moment, I felt lonely. It wasn’t like I had been sitting around doing nothing. But it felt like I had missed a lot. It felt like I had been away for years.

“So, Mila. What have you been up to?” Piotr finally asked once they had all said their peace.

I did not want to go into detail, so I gave them a short relay of events. I assisted Dahlia and Alyssa with making lunch, which brought back many memories. As we sat down to eat, I noticed Leon, Piotr, and Konstantin nodding at each other. “Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Mila,” Leon started while moving his food around his plate. Looking up at me, I could see he was serious as he continued. “Why did you marry Aleksandr?”

I heard Dahlia gasping. “Sorry, Dahlia,” Leon added. “But you know we don’t like him. We’ve never hid our feelings about this.”

“This entire thing, the marriage, the alliance, it all feels wrong. Like it was his way of getting what he wanted. Like he didn’t care about anyone but himself.” Piotr added.

Konstantin took Dahlia’s hand and added his two cents. “We feel he is up to something. Almost as if he is trying to break our family apart.”

I could see the pain they were causing Dahlia. I felt my blood starting to boil. I had also thought of many things. But I have gotten to know him better. He might have had ulterior motives when he made the suggestion. But I knew things had changed.

“Stop this,” I spat at them. “You have no right to talk about him like that. He has done nothing wrong!” Not only did I feel outraged by their comments. But I also felt angry at Dahlia for not standing up and adding her voice. How could she just sit there and allow them to talk about her brother this way?

Rising, I crossed my arms over my chest as I continued. “When have you become a couple of judgmental fools?”

Dahlia rose and walked to my side. Taking my arms, she spoke softly as she pulled on it. “Mila, calm down. Come with me, please.”

I didn’t want to. I wasn’t done giving them a piece of my mind. They needed to hear what I had to say about all of this. But Dahlia was pulling harder now. Glancing at her, I saw a flicker of pain in her eyes. Reluctantly, I went outside with her for some fresh air.

We walked out to the side of the pool. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I looked out over the pool to the garden and tree line. My mind was racing. How could they say those things after all we had been through?

Feeling my temper calming somewhat, I turned to Dahlia. “I’ve missed my home, my family so much.” I breathed out. “It feels like I’ve been gone forever, and now this.”

Dahlia took my hands as she replied. “Mila, so battles aren’t worth fighting. Today, now back there. It wasn’t the right time.”

Looking into her eyes, I could see the pain and love she held. “I’m sorry, but it’s the first time I’m home, and all they can do is question my choices,” I uttered, squeezing Dahlia’s hands.

“I think you’re in love,” she whispered, grinning.

Frowning, I pulled back and turned to the pool again. “No, Dahlia, I’m not; you are seeing things that aren’t there,” I replied quietly, shaking my head.

“Mila, think about it,” she said, bumping me lightly. “You love him. You have to admit it to yourself.” She hugged me and headed back in.

Glancing back, I saw her disappear through the doors. Pushing my hands through my hair, I looked up at the sky and took another deep breath. She was wrong; I wasn’t in love with Aleksandr. Yes, my feelings for him have changed, sure, but love.

If I was honest with myself, I could admit we had a lot of fire. But that didn’t imply love in any way. I couldn’t be in love with a man like him, could I? My feelings for him had grown, and my desire to be with him was undeniable. This couldn’t be love. It had to be something else, right?

As I thought about it, my mind spun out of control, and my emotions wreaked havoc. I didn’t know the answer. Was my mind or my feelings controlling my heart?

Heading back inside, I knew I had to get out. I had to be alone. After greeting everyone, I got on my bike and hit the road. I had no sure destination as Aleksandr had a meeting this afternoon and would only be home later. So, I just drove where the road led me.