Page 82 of Velvet Chains
Eli’s eyes light up. “Really? Can we, Ded?”
Andrey nods, smiling indulgently. “I don’t see why not. As long as it’s okay with your mama and papa, of course.”
I don’t miss the way his gaze flicks to Dimitry or the way Dimitry studiously ignores him. But Eli seems oblivious, already chattering excitedly about all the books she wants to read.
Yuri catches my eye, mouthing a silent “thank you.” I grin back, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest. Maybe I can’t fix this family’s problems, but damn if I can’t try to make things a little better.
As the meal winds down, I find myself actually enjoying the company. Eli’s enthusiasm is infectious.
“Do you have any books about bugs?” she asks, bouncing in her seat.
I grin, nodding. “Of course! I’ve got all kinds of books about bugs. There’s one about a little ladybug who goes on adventures and another about a caterpillar who turns into a butterfly.”
Eli claps her hands, delighted. “I love butterflies! They’re so pretty and colorful.”
“Just like you, malyshka,” Andrey says, tapping her nose affectionately.
Eli giggles, then turns to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Do you have any books about bugs that eat people?”
I choke on my water, nearly spraying it across the table. “What?”
Yuri snorts, shaking his head. “Eli, bugs don’t eat people.”
“How do you know?” Eli challenges, crossing her arms. “Have you ever been eaten by a bug?”
“Have you?” Yuri counters, raising an eyebrow.
Eli thinks for a moment, then shrugs. “No. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”
Andrey chuckles, ruffling Eli’s hair. “I think you’ve been reading too many scary stories, malyshka.”
Eli pouts, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. “Laura, if a bug did eat someone, would you put it in your bookstore?”
I bite back a laugh, trying to keep a straight face. “I don’t know, Eli. I think it would depend on how well-written the book was.”
Eli nods like this is a perfectly reasonable answer. “I bet I could write a good book about people-eating bugs.”
“I bet you could,” I agree, smiling at her enthusiasm. “And when you do, I promise I’ll put it on the front shelf of my store.”
Eli beams, sitting up straighter. “Really? You promise?”
“Cross my heart,” I say solemnly.
“Ded, did you hear that?” Eli turns to Andrey, practically vibrating with excitement. “Laura says she’ll put my book in her store!”
Andrey smiles indulgently, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “That’s wonderful, malyshka. But maybe we should start with a book about nice bugs first, hmm?”
Eli considers this, then nods. “Okay. But I still think people-eating bugs would be cooler.”
Yuri rolls his eyes, but I can see the fondness in his expression. “You would.”
As the conversation flows, I find myself unwinding, caught up in the warmth and humor of this little family.
I’ve never been part of anything like this before. Growing up, “family” was just a word, not this whole vibe of laughing together and sharing secrets. Who would’ve guessed I’d find something like this with a mafia family, of all things?
Andrey’s gentle teasing, Eli’s infectious enthusiasm, even Yuri’s wry commentary—it all feels so natural, so easy.
But Dimitry… Dimitry is a different story.
