Page 39 of Villain's Prey

My sister has no idea any of this is going on. Normally, her husband would be out with the rest of the men, but my dad shut that down. He’s with my father in his office with the doors closed.

I debate for the tenth time if I should go in there, but I don’t want to get in the way. It would be hard for me to not cut in, wanting a play-by-play of what might be happening.

I wander back into the kitchen. “Why don’t you sit? I’m making your favorite.” My mom motions to a chair. A sweet, buttery smell fills the room. It always makes me think of my mother.

“Sitting doesn’t help.” I pout but still pull out one of the stools at the kitchen island to watch her work.

“Sergei never got this.” The thought of him growing up with that ruthless father of his has tears forming in my eyes. He never knew love until he met me. And now I don’t know if he’ll live to experience all that comes with it.

“Probably not. Luca is a terrible man.” My mom hands me one of the fresh butter cookies.

“I’m not hungry.” Still, I take the cookie. If I don’t, she’ll start fussing that I’m not eating enough and try to ply me with more food. I take a bite, and it’s perfect as always.

“I’m sure the boy will have some rough edges to him. That’s not always a bad thing.”

I snort a laugh, almost choking on my cookie.

“Boy?” I get out through my giggles.

Sergei in no shape or form could ever be considered anything but a man. Mom smirks, knowing she was going to get at least a smile out of me.

“If he makes it...” I trail off, not being able to complete my sentence. I take a deep breath to calm myself. “I know it’s a bigif,but would you all really accept him? You’d be willing to allow a Taletti at our family dinner?”

“Your brother—”

“Is part of you.” Her eyes start to water, but she gives me a soft smile.

“And Sergei had a mother that is part of him too. If he cherishes you, then I will welcome him in with open arms. I will treat him as my own son. Not only because he was willing to die to save my baby girl but in honor of the woman who was trapped with Luca at one time. I got your father. Maybe Sergei can get a family that isn’t only filled with hatred and coldness.” Her words hit me right in the chest.

“What if he doesn’t make it?” Now it’s me who’s about to cry. “Or if he doesn’t want to be with me?”

“Don’t be dramatic.” Mom slides another tray into the oven.

“Dramatic? There is a war going on out there. How can I not be dramatic?” How the heck is she so calm? We are talking about Sergei’s life here and my brothers’. Not only them, but the men who stand at my family’s side.

She might be right, though. I shouldn't be underestimating them. The men around here can clean up nicely, but they can also be ruthless when the time calls for it.

“So you and this Sergei had sex?” She changes the subject. My cheeks warm. I don’t know why because talking about sex isn’t something the girls in our family shy away from. Though I wasn’t having it then.

“Really? You want to talk about this right now?”

“Did you remember the rule?” Of course she keeps going, knowing this will keep me distracted so I don’t get up and start pacing again.

“Oh my God, mom.” I groan. How the heck could I forget it?

“Well?” She puts her hands on her hips, waiting for my answer. She'll wait until I give it to her.

“Yes, I remember the rule.” I slide down in my chair a few inches. “Trust me, the manknewthe rule.” I chew on my bottom lip.

“Give me the rest.” My mom puts her elbow on the island, leaning in.

“We didn’t have sex that first night. In fact, Sergei only ah—” I lick my lips, still shy about it. “He only did things to me. Then when I woke up, the man was wrapped around me. A Taletti being a cuddler. Who would have thought it?”

“Who would have thunk it?” She smiles, shaking her head. When she comes around the kitchen island towards me, her face grows serious. “You’ll be a Taletti.”

“I’d be anything if it meant Sergei and I could be together.”

My mom tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “I know you will, sweetheart, but know the crown is heavy. Not all can hold it nor want to hold it.”

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