Page 85 of Born into Chaos

“The women in our family have always kept us on our toes,” he says, giving a soft laugh. “We never once thought you’d be any different, especially considering who your dad is.” He smiles at me when he says, “You really didn’t stand a chance in hell.”

“Tell me about it. At least Val is sensible. I’m not sure what would’ve happened if we both had my personality.”

“God help us,” Matvey groans, but I can hear the playful tone in his voice. He always sounds a bit gruff from the damage the fire did when he was a teenager, but he’s always been unbelievably sweet to me. They all have. For being Bratva bosses with terrifying reputations, they really are giant softies where their family is concerned.

“You talking about me?”

We both look over to see Val walk in with Yelena right behind him. My uncle’s face lights up when he sees his daughter, and he immediately stands so he can give her a hug. He’s always had a special bond with her, and I know it’s been killing her to hide her relationship with my brother from him.

“You okay?” he asks her, staring into the same dark eyes that are identical to his.

“I’m fine, Dad. Mom and Evgeny are upstairs.”

At the mention of his wife and son, he looks to the door, and I know how anxious he is to get to them.

“I’m fine, Uncle Matvey. Go up and see them.”

He hesitates, but Val plops down on the couch next to me. “I’ll sit with her.”

Yelena sits in the seat her dad was just in and gives me a smile. “Me too.”

My uncle leans down and kisses Yelena’s head. “Okay, but holler if you need anything.”

“Will do,” Yelena tells him. As soon as he leaves, she looks over at me and leans closer. “Are you okay? Have you heard anything?”

“No and no,” I tell her.

She gives me a shaky smile, trying to be reassuring but also trying not to cry and make me even sadder than I already am. I return her smile with my own weak one as my brother grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.

Looking over at him, I ask, “Did you guys get in trouble for covering for us?”

“I told them I went alone,” Val tells me. “They have no idea Yelena was there, and we’d like to keep it that way. They think she stayed here, and Nat’s agreed to cover for us.”

“I won’t say anything,” I quickly tell him.

“Dad knows that I found out about everything, but he also knows you’re my twin and that I’d never betray you. He’s pissed I hid it, but also proud as hell at how loyal I am to you.” He gives a soft laugh. “He’s yet to admit that last bit though.”

I nudge his shoulder. “He will.”

“Maybe, but even if he doesn’t, we all know it’s true. He knows I was just giving you time to tell him yourself.”

“Sorry I got you involved in my mess.”

He looks over at me. “You’re always getting me involved in your messes, and you’d better not start apologizing for it now. This one may have ended up being bigger than all the others, but it was worth it, right? I mean, I’m getting a brother-in-law and a niece.” He gives me his easygoing smile. “Not such a bad mess after all.”

At the mention of Samantha, I ask, “How’s she doing up there?”

Yelena cuts in with a laugh and says, “Getting spoiled rotten and loving every second of it.”

I smile at the image, knowing she’s probably being passed around and smothered in kisses and hugs. “I’m so glad she’s too young to know what’s going on.”

“I swear she’s looking around for you two, but she’s happy, Sveta. You don’t need to worry about her,” Val tells me.

Trusting him at his word, I sigh and lean my head back against the couch.

“You need to eat something,” he tries to tell me, but I just shake my head.

“I can’t, Val. I’ll just throw it up if I try.”

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