Page 4 of Born into Darkness

When Kostya’s parents get here, we start fixing plates and get settled around the fire. I smile at his mom, returning her hug when she’s close enough. Nikolai married Sabrina when I was little, and he’s been slowly decorating her body over the years. I love the designs he’s come up with, and when she pulls back, I take a second to admire the newest addition to her arm. It’s a trail of delicate flowers with a couple of dragon flies, and Nikolai’s managed to make the wings almost shimmer, like he’s caught them mid-flight.

“I don’t know how he does it,” I say, and when he looks over at me, I add, “This is amazing, Nikolai.”

He beams at me and wraps an arm around his wife before he kisses the top of her head. “How could it not be when I have such a beautiful canvas to work with?”

Sabrina smiles up at him while my Uncle Valeri laughs and says, “Stop trying to make the rest of us look bad.”

“You could never look bad,” my Aunt Evie tells him, making him grin and pick her up.

“Thank you,lapochka,” he tells her and then shoots Nikolai a smug grin.

My dad and uncle laugh at their younger brother, and when they walk off to help with the food, Tyoma and Kostya make their way over to join us. Wallace is wet and filthy and ridiculously happy. I sit on a log next to Allie and Yulia while we laugh and watch the guys try to create the biggest bonfire they can.

We spend the next several hours eating way too much and laughing until we can’t breathe. Allie’s right about us wanting more freedom, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love spending time with my family. I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything, and when everyone is packing up and heading back to their boats to go the short distance to their own houses, I stand up and start giving out hugs.

“Yulia and I will grab your Aunt Maddie and Sitka on our way over tomorrow,” my Aunt Evie says. “It may not be the exciting night of clubbing you were hoping for, but I promise we’ll have fun.”

I squeeze her back and smile. “I know we will. I was going to say we won’t have as bad of a hangover either, but I’m not so sure. You and mom and Aunt Maddie can put ‘em back.”

She laughs and kisses my forehead. “You bet your ass we can.”

Overhearing, my Aunt Maddie says, “The men don’t have anything on us.”

She lets out a squeal when my Uncle Volodya picks her up and smacks her on the ass. My Uncle Volodya is more standoffish than his brothers, but there’s no denying how much he loves his family, and the smile he gives his wife is one of genuine love. It’s so intense that I look away because it makes me feel like I’m intruding. While he whispers something in her ear, I give Yulia and Sitka hugs, telling them I’ll see them tomorrow. The guys give me a wave goodbye, and Misha stops long enough to ruffle my hair before he takes off running to his family’s boat, trying to beat Yuri to it.

Nikolai and Ilya both leave with their families. They each have a house on the property, so instead of getting into boats, they head towards the path near the edge of the woods. They’d parked their four-wheelers near the tree line, and as soon as Kostya and Tyoma get on them, they tear off down the dirt path, the sound of their engines already growing dim by the time their parents climb onto the remaining two four-wheelers.

Giving one last wave goodbye, I follow my family back to the house, stopping to brush all the sand from Wallace. Dima scratches behind his ears to keep him happy while Bran and I get him cleaned up. Wallace may have been my birthday present, but he’s very much a family dog, and he loves the attention he gets from everyone. When he’s as clean as he’s going to get, my dad tosses him a milk bone while I brush the sand off my own feet. I love the beach, but I hate feeling dirty, and I know I’m going to have to shower before bed or I’ll never be able to fall asleep.

Dima laughs at my attempt to get clean and quickly stomps his own feet, not caring in the slightest that they’re probably still dirty. Since both my older brothers are still single and our house has plenty of room, they still live here, but they come and go as they please. Usually they go out with our cousins, but I guess they’re staying in tonight because Dima grabs a soda and a plate of leftovers before heading down the hall to his room.

I’ll text you later, I sign to Bran, who gives me a nod and a thumbs up.

I give my dad and mom a big hug and then head to my room with Wallace at my heels. Once I’ve showered and crawled into bed, I grab my phone, not at all surprised to see my brother’s already texted me. We started texting each other before bed when we were younger, and it’s something we’ve held onto over the years. We don’t do it every night, but most nights we’ll have a quick conversation before I fall asleep.

Bran:

I’m glad you’re not going to the club tomorrow.

ME:

Allie and I both knew the plan didn’t really stand a chance. Stop worrying.

Bran:

You’re my little sister. It’s my job to worry.

ME:

You’re only a month older than me.

Bran:

Still counts.

ME:

So what are your plans? You going clubbing tomorrow with the guys?

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