Page 13 of Demetri
"Alright. Let's go put them out of their misery." As we walk across the yard, Grace nudges me. "I'm so happy you came."
I smile. "Me too."
7
Demetri
Watching Glory's face light up the moment she saw her best friend helps smolder the fire burning in my gut. Having the knowledge that Ronan De Burca, a man who is now dead had his hands on her, putting her through the worst kind of hell has not exactly been sitting well with me. But my anger is nothing compared to what Glory went through and what she has continued to go through for too long.
"Demetri." Jake greets me as Glory and Grace take off across the yard. I watch as the other women embrace Glory. "It's good to see you." He shakes my hand.
"It's nice to be back in Polson," I tell him.
Jake studies me for a beat. "From the look on your face, I take it you've claimed your woman," he smirks.
"Something like that," I admit. "I brought us a bottle of whiskey. I would like it if you could join me for a drink later after I've seen my sons and grandchildren," I mention to Jake just as I catch sight of Logan and Nikolai.
"You got it. I'll catch up with you later." Jake raises his bottle of beer at me, then strolls back to his lawn chair.
Crossing the yard, I greet my sons, who are deep in conversation. "Logan. Nikolai."
"Dad," Logan answers. "Good to see ya." His glance lands on Glory and the other women, who are all smiles and talking amongst themselves. "Thought you wouldn't be back for another couple of weeks." Before I can answer him, I hear my grandchildren's excited laughter as they call out. "Deda!" Turning around, I watch as Breanna toddles toward me, along with Bella, who is making her way over with my grandson on her hip. Little Jake has his arms stretched out in front of him, eager for me to take him from his mother before they even reach me.
"Deda!" Breanna reaches me first, so I pick her up off the ground, and she wraps her arms around my neck. When Bella reaches me, Jake is climbing his mother like a tree to get out of her arms. Taking him from her, I now hold both my grandchildren.
"I think maybe they missed you just a little," Bella laughs.
I love my family. My sons are everything to me, but my grandchildren have brought more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined. Hearing them call meDeda, and watching their tiny faces light up when they see me can make a lousy day fade away. Giving them a final squeeze, I set Breanna on the ground and hand Jake back to his mother. "Have you been good for your mother and father?" I regard both children, holding a stern look on my face. My grandchildren look at each other and smile before looking up at me.
"You spoil them too much." Logan chuckles at Breanna and Jake's excitement.
"It is my job to spoil my grandchildren. Besides, it doesn't take much to make them happy." From one pocket I pull out a small toy car and hand it to Jake. His face lights up with joy.
"What do you say, Jake?" Bella asks.
Jake lets out a string a baby babble. His eyes look so much like mine and his father's when he glances back at me, and I smile. Turning my attention to my granddaughter, I take her gift from my other pocket. Glory helped me pick this one out. It is a small, beaded heart bracelet. Kneeling, I place it on Breanna's tiny wrist.
"Mommy, look it," Breanna beams up at her mother.
"What do you say toDeda?" Bella prompts her daughter, and Breanna throws herself into my legs.
"I love you,Deda."
My heart melts as I kiss the top of her head. "Ya lyublyu tebya." Standing, I watch as Breanna ambles her way back across the yard to join the other kids playing on the swing set. Bella reaches up, pulls Logan's head toward hers and kisses him. "I'm going to rejoin the girls." Then she turns to me. "We missed you." She gives me a warm smile, and I return one of my own before she takes her leave.
"I see you brought Glory with you," my youngest son, Nikolai, mentions as he comes to stand beside me. I raise my brow but say nothing in return. "I'm happy for you, Father," he adds.
"I second that," Logan raises his beer agreeing with his brother.
As the eveningis winding down, a few of us men find our way inside gathered around one of the tables as we pass the whiskey bottle around.
"So, how did things go back home?" Nikolai inquires as he lifts his glass filled with amber whiskey to his lips. My face must show my thoughts, as my mind shifts to the death of Yerik, then straight to his underhanded son Vadim. Nikolai leans forward in his chair and places his glass down on the table. "Trouble?" At his question, Jake, and Logan train their eyes on me. I look at each of them. They are my family. Jake is my friend, so I do not hesitate to speak freely.
"Yerik is dead." I look to Nikolai, and he nods.
"He's been ill for a while. We knew his time was nearing its end."
"He was murdered," I state, and Nikolai's body becomes rigid.
