Chapter 26 - Grace

I watched as the family members poured into the room. All the Vasiliev brothers and Tasha were present. Tasha nodded at me as everyone settled down.

“Thank you all for coming,” Vadik said, walking to the middle of the floor. “Tasha had managed to identify the suspects as members of another Bratva group.”

Tasha smiled as she rose and walked to join him. “Yes, she added. “Through vigorous hacking, searching, and many backdoors. I have finally found them. I have traced these men all the way to the head of the snake.”

“So?” Makari inquired rudely. He was an impatient man who liked to get right to the point.

“They are working for the Aslanof family,” Tasha stated, glaring at Makari.

Makari rubbed his head as he repeated her words. “The Aslanof family.”

“Yes,” Tasha continued as if on cue. “They’re a new group in our area. As heard through the grapevine, they are busy negotiating an alliance with the Morozov family.”

“The Morozov family!” Pavel added, sounding flabbergasted.

Tasha raised her hands as she spoke again.

“Yes, but please, guys, they are not connected to my Dubow family. We are not allying with them.” She glanced around at the men, took a deep breath, and continued. “Nothing is set in stone yet. It is only negotiations. But if it does happen, I know things will get a lot worse.”

“Yes,” Vadik commented. “This family has the same business interests as the Chernykhs. This is the reason for all the sabotage. They want to clear the playing field so they can take over.”

“This isn’t good,” Pavel huffed, falling back in his chair.

“No, it isn’t,” Makari said, rising from his chair. “We’ll need to hunt them down and take them out. The suspect from the shootout will also be on their team. Once we get rid of them, Grace can have her life back.”

My heart skipped a beat hearing him say those words. I wasn’t sure I still wanted my old life. “So, what’s next?” Makari asked, glancing at me.

“We are working on a plan. Give us a day or two, and we’ll let you know where and when,” Vadik replied.

“Great. In the meantime, what must we do?” Makari asked.

“Nothing,” Vadik shot back. “Just wait for us. Don’t react; we need to do this right.”

Makari smiled at me as he spoke again. “Okay then. Is the meeting over now?”

Vadik nodded, looked at Tasha, and turned as he spoke. “Yes, I will call you and let you know what has to happen.” He took Tasha’s hand and headed for the door.

Makari held out his hand to me. I took it and walked with them as we saw them off. “I have something to show you,” Makari said, turning to me.

Nodding, I walked with him to the back door leading to the garden. “Oh, wait,” he said as I was about to open the door. “I just need to get something. But you can go out. I will get you outside.”

I stood for a moment as he disappeared through the door. This was odd behavior, even for him. Not sure what was happening, I opened the door and stepped outside. On the ground was a rose petal trail. Smiling, I started following the petals.

Every ten steps or so, a single rose lay in the path. As I moved, I picked them up. By the time I arrived at the greenhouse, I had a full bouquet of twelve roses. There was a note on the door. I read it out loud, still unsure of what was happening. “Please enter to discover your surprise.”

The smile on my lips broadened as I turned the knob. This was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. As I pushed the door open and stepped in, butterflies surrounded me. I gasped as I turned slowly, admiring them. There were so many, and they were all the colors of the rainbow.

Walking forward through them, I saw Makari standing on the other side. Walking closer, I spoke softly, not wanting to spook the butterflies. “When did you get time for this, and where did you get them all? This is so beautiful.”

Makari took my hand in his as he replied. “You are worth all of this and more. I wish I had time to do more.”

“More?” I asked, surprised. “I love this, it’s enough, I assure you.”

“I am happy if you are happy. Grace, I am thrilled that you came into my life. I wish it was under different circumstances, though,” Maraki added, squeezing my hand. He lowered onto one knee before continuing. “I know I have asked, and you said yes. But I want to do this right.”

Makari let go of my hand as he dug something out of his pocket. Placing my hand over my mouth, I gasped as tears started filling my vision.