Page 111 of Born into Darkness

“I love you, too, Dad.”

Before I can pull away, I feel my mom’s arms wrap around us. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispers in a shaky voice, trying to hold back her tears.

“I’m going to miss you, too, Mom,” I tell her, feeling my own tears start to fall. I squeeze my parents and cry like a baby until both my brothers come over to join in. I feel a hand on my back, and I immediately know it’s Bran. He’s trying to feel if I’m still crying since he can’t see my face, and when he feels my body shake, he gently pats my back, trying to comfort me.

When I lift my head to look at him, he signs,Don’t cry. We’ll see each other soon. You’re still going to text me all the time, yeah?

Of course,I sign back.I’m going to miss you so much.

I’m going to miss you, too,he signs, and then gives me a hug.

I’m full-on sobbing by the time Dima wraps his arms around me. “Don’t cry, little sis. I’ll send you pics all the time so you can see how everyone is doing, and I’m sure Allie will be blowing up your phone on a daily basis.”

“Promise me you’ll look after her,” I say, wiping the tears off my cheeks as I stare up at my older brother.

He gives a soft laugh. “I’ll try, but you know how feral the Allie cat can be.”

I smile and pat his arm. “Well, if anyone can tame her, it’s you.”

He snorts out a laugh and then ruffles the hair on my head like I’m five years old again. “I’ll do my best,” he says, and I know he’ll watch over her for me, even if she will hate the overbearing way he’ll probably do it.

“We want hugs, too,” my Uncle Valeri hollers from where the rest of my family is waiting. Max is talking to my cousins, and Wallace is in heaven because my Uncle Volodya is throwing the ball for him.

I smile and walk over, hugging my uncles and cousins until I’m crying again. Misha, Yuri, and Aleks all promise to keep in touch.

When I can’t stop crying, Misha gives me another hug and says, “Don’t worry, Talia. We’ll see you again soon. Yuri and I told Sasha he has to come and visit.”

I wipe my face and let out a laugh while I look up at my cousin. “Of course the psycho in Max’s family is the one you two bonded with.”

Misha just grins, that same devilish smile I’ve seen a million times, and shrugs. “We have a lot in common. Plus, we’ll be family soon.”

“I’m not so sure the world can handle you three together,” I say.

Aleks laughs and nudges me with his elbow. “Four. I like him, too.”

The dimple in my cousin’s cheek makes him look deceivingly sweet, but I’ve always known there was some darkness beneath it. My dad’s always said the same thing about my Uncle Valeri. He has the same dimple, and it’s always made people assume he’s the sweet brother. I think Yulia is the only one who actually looks like what she is. She’s just as kind and sweet as her dimple makes you believe she is.

“Well, I’m glad you’re all getting along,” I tell them, “because our families are going to be seeing a lot of each other.”

“We better,” my Uncle Volodya says, giving me another hug. “We’re going to miss you, kiddo.”

The annoying lump is coming back to my throat so I just nod and hug him tighter. When he lets me go, it’s a familiar pair of strong arms that wrap around me from behind. I know who it is before I’ve even seen the black hand splint he’s wearing. I’d recognize the feel of him anywhere, and when I tip my head up, he smiles and leans down to give me a kiss.

“You okay?” he asks, keeping his voice low so only I can hear.

“I’m okay,” I tell him, knowing it’s true. It hurts to say goodbye to my family, but I know it’s only temporary. “As long as I have you, then I can handle anything.”

“You’ll always have me,svetik moy.” He kisses me again before standing back up to his full height, but he makes sure to keep his arms around me, holding me as we watch my family get ready to go.

After they’ve left, I look at the man I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with. There’s not a shred of doubt inside me about him and our future.

I choose him, and I’ll continue to choose him every day for the rest of my life.

Chapter20

Maxim

One Month Later

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