Secret Bratva Daddy

Chapter 24Sydney

24

Sydney

T he door swings open, and for a moment, I'm stunned. Miron looks so much like Avros it takes my breath away. The same chiseled jawline, the same intense eyes. But where Avros exudes danger and control, Miron's features are softened by a roguish grin that immediately puts me at ease, and his hair is curled and longer, giving him a boyish charm.

"Well, well," he drawls, his accent lighter than Avros's. "You must be the famous Sydney. I've heard so much about you, krasotka ."

I blush at the endearment, extending my hand. "It's nice to finally meet you, Miron. Welcome home."

Instead of shaking my hand, Miron pulls me into a warm, brotherly hug. The gesture is so unexpected and comforting that I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.

"None of that now," Miron says gently, pulling back to look at me. His eyes are kind, filled with a warmth that reminds me so much of Avros it makes my heart ache. "We're family, Sydney. And family doesn't stand on ceremony."

His words wash over me, soothing an ache I didn't even know I had. "Thank you," I manage, my voice thick with emotion.

Miron's grin widens. "Now, let me look at you properly. I want to see the woman who's managed to tame my wild brother."

He steps back, giving me an exaggerated once-over that has me giggling despite myself. "Ah, there's that smile my brother can't stop talking about," Miron says, his eyes twinkling. "You know, when Avros first told me about you, I thought he'd gone mad. The great Avros Petrov, brought to his knees by a woman? Unthinkable."

My cheeks burn hotter at his words. "I'm sure you're exaggerating," I mumble, uncomfortable with the praise.

Miron's expression turns serious. "I assure you, I'm not. Sydney, I've known my brother all my life, and I've never seen him like this. He's... different with you. Softer, somehow. But stronger too. Maybe because he has something worth fighting for. You've changed him, Sydney."

His words send a warmth blooming in my chest. I think of Avros, of the tenderness in his eyes when he looks at me, the gentleness of his touch on my growing belly. "He's changed me too," I admit softly.

Miron nods, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Love has a way of doing that. Now, come, sit with me. I want to hear everything about how you met my brother, and I'll tell you some stories that'll make you see him in a whole new light."

We settle in the living room, and I find myself relaxing as Miron begins to share tales from their childhood. "Did Avros ever tell you about the time he tried to 'rescue' me from school?" Miron asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I shake my head, leaning forward eagerly. "No, what happened?"

Miron chuckles. "I was about six, and Avros was ten. I'd been complaining about how much I hated school, how mean the other kids were. So, one day, Avros shows up at lunchtime, marches right into my classroom, and announces to my teacher that there's a family emergency and he needs to take me home."

I can't help but laugh, picturing a young Avros, all serious determination. "Did it work?"

"Oh, it worked alright," Miron says with a grin. "We made it all the way to the park before our parents found us. Avros got the scolding of his life, but you know what? He told them it was all worth it to see me smile."

The image of a young Avros, fiercely protective even then, makes my heart ache with longing. "He's always looked out for you, hasn't he?"

Miron's expression softens. "Always. Even when I didn't deserve it. Even when it cost him everything." He reaches out, taking my hand in his. "That's why I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he'll move heaven and earth for you and that little one."

I bite my lip, hope and doubt warring within me. "Even after everything that's happened? The trial, the baby..."

"Especially because of all that," Miron says firmly. "Sydney, my brother is many things, but when he commits to something, or someone, it's for life. And he's committed to you and that little one."

His words wash over me like a balm, soothing fears I didn't even know I had. This is what I want, I realize with startling clarity. I want Avros home, free. I want us to raise our child together, to build a life and a family.

"Thank you, Miron," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."

He squeezes my hand, his smile gentle. "That's what family is for, right? And you are family now." His eyes drift to my stomach, a look of wonder crossing his face. "May I?"

I nod, guiding his hand to the slight swell of my belly. Miron's touch is gentle, reverent. "Hello there, little one," he says softly. "I'm your Uncle Miron. I can't wait to meet you and teach you all sorts of things that'll drive your papa crazy."

I laugh, picturing Avros's exasperated face as Miron spoils our child rotten. "I have a feeling you're going to be the fun uncle."

Miron's grin is positively wicked. "Oh, you have no idea. I'm going to teach this kid all my best tricks. By the time they're five, they'll be able to pick any lock and charm their way out of any trouble."

"Avros will have a fit," I say, but I can't keep the smile off my face.

"Good," Miron says with a wink. "Someone needs to keep my brother on his toes. Between you and this little one, I think we've got that covered."

We spend the next hour trading stories, me sharing how I met Avros, Miron regaling me with tales of their adventures growing up. With each passing minute, I feel more and more at ease. This is family, I realize. This warmth, this easy camaraderie.

"You know," Miron says, leaning in conspiratorially, "Avros is crazy about you. Truly, madly, deeply in love. I've never seen him so determined to make things work with a woman before."

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "He told you that?"

Miron snorts. "Told me? He wouldn't shut up about you. Every phone call, every visit, it was 'Sydney this' and 'Sydney that'. I thought he'd lost his mind at first, but now that I've met you... I get it."

"Get what?" I ask, curious.

"Why you're perfect for him," Miron says simply. "You're strong enough to stand up to him, but soft enough to show him there's more to life than the business. You're his balance, Sydney. His anchor."

His words bring fresh tears to my eyes. "I love him so much," I whisper. "I just want him home."

Miron's expression turns fierce. "And we'll get him home. I promise you that. My brother has sacrificed everything for me time and time again. It's my turn to return the favor."

The moment is interrupted by Richard clearing his throat from the doorway. "I hate to break up the reunion, but dinner is ready. I thought we might discuss strategy for the trial over some food."

We move to the dining room, where a spread that would put most restaurants to shame awaits us. As we settle in to eat, Richard begins outlining the plan for Avros's defense.

"The good news," he says, helping himself to some roasted potatoes, "is that I have very good reason to believe Avros's trial will be dropped completely."

I nearly choke on my wine. "What? How?"

Richard's smile is satisfied, almost smug. "The judge presiding over Avros's case? He's the same one from Miron's trial. And after the... shall we say, irregularities that came to light in Miron's case, he's eager to avoid any further scrutiny."

Miron leans back in his chair, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. "Well, well. Isn't that a stroke of luck?"

I look between them, a mixture of hope and unease swirling in my stomach. "So what does this mean? For Avros, for us?"

"It means," Richard says, his tone measured but optimistic, "that with your testimony and this fortunate turn of events, we have a very good chance of bringing Avros home soon. Very soon."

The relief that floods through me is so intense it's almost painful. I press a hand to my stomach, feeling the slight swell there. "Did you hear that, little one?" I whisper. "Your daddy might be coming home."

Miron raises his glass in a toast. "To family," he says, his eyes shining with emotion. "And to bringing my stubborn brother back where he belongs."

As we clink glasses, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This is my family now—complicated, dangerous, but fiercely loyal. And soon, God willing, we'll be complete.

"So, Sydney," Miron says as we dig into our meal, "have you and my brother started thinking about names for the little one yet?"

I shake my head, smiling. "Not really. It still feels so surreal sometimes."

Miron's eyes light up. "Well, may I suggest Miron if it's a boy? It's a strong name, you know. A very peaceful name for a child."

Richard snorts into his wine glass. "Peace? You?"

"Hey, I can be peaceful," Miron protests, but his grin gives him away. "Alright, maybe not. But it's still a good name."

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. "I'll run it by Avros," I promise. "But maybe as a middle name."

"I'll take it," Miron says with a wink. "And if it's a girl?"

"Natalia," I say without thinking. At their curious looks, I explain, "It was my grandmother's name. She's the one who taught me to speak Russian."

Miron's smile is soft. "Natalia Mirovna Petrov. It has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

The casual way he includes his brother's surname, the easy acceptance of me and the baby into the family, brings a lump to my throat. "It does," I agree softly.

As the evening wears on and we delve deeper into the details of the trial, I can't shake a nagging sense of unease. What if something goes wrong? What if the judge changes his mind? What if Avros's enemies use this opportunity to strike?

Miron seems to sense my anxiety. As Richard excuses himself to make a phone call, he leans in close. "It's going to be okay, Sydney," he says softly. "I know my brother. He's too stubborn, too in love with you and that baby, to let anything keep him away. And he's got us fighting for him too. We're Petrovs. We always come out on top."

His confidence is infectious, and I feel some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Thank you, Miron. For everything. I'm glad... I'm glad you're here."

Miron's smile is warm, brotherly. "Me too, Sydney. Me too."

As I prepare for bed that night, my hand resting on my growing bump, I whisper a silent prayer. "Please," I murmur to whatever higher power might be listening. "Bring him home to us. Let us be a family."

With thoughts of Avros filling my mind, and the comfort of knowing his brother is just down the hall, I drift off to sleep. For the first time in weeks, my dreams are filled with hope instead of fear. I see Avros holding our child, Miron teaching them to ride a bike, family dinners filled with laughter and love.

It's a future worth fighting for. And with the strength of the Petrov family behind us, I know we'll make it a reality.