"These things…" Ivan's voice trailed off as he seemed to be searching for the right words. "Look, we live
here
now. It's different here. Your family will meet Bianca and see how sweet she is. They'll understand how far she went to save you. They'll forget about everything else."
And if they don't?
It was the question that wouldn't stop tormenting him.
Ivan stepped closer and squeezed his shoulder. "It will all work out in the end. Yes?"
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, Sergei nodded and left the office after a quick discussion about Boy's training. After showering and changing into jeans and a polo shirt, he headed for the exit. He glanced toward Ivan's office and was surprised to see Erin walking toward her husband. As usual, she wore a flirty little dress that made her seem so carefree and innocent.
Slowing his steps, he watched the pair interact. The regret darkening Ivan's eyes and tightening his expression was clear enough. He held out one big hand, his knuckles gnarled and tattooed so heavily, and Erin smiled so sweetly at him. She interlaced their fingers and tugged him toward his office. Like a puppy trailing its master, Ivan followed her into the office and promptly shut the door. A moment later, Ivan stepped in front of the window and started to close the blinds.
Smirking and laughing softly to himself, Sergei decided that Ruby wasn't the only one who could wrap someone around her finger. Erin had managed to do what no other person had—she had tamed the beast and had him eating right out of the palm of her pretty little hand. He had no doubts that the couple would work out their disagreement.
Sergei sat in his SUV until the air conditioner cooled the interior. He smacked the card Ivan had given him against the steering wheel and decided to go see the jeweler first. Once he had the ring sorted, he would make one more stop before hitting the construction offices.
After listening to Bianca voice her fears about her mother's reaction to the news, he wanted to spare her any ugliness. If anyone was going to bear the brunt of Mrs. Bradshaw's anger, it should be him. He was the one who had seduced Bianca that night and persuaded her to let him make love to her without any barriers between their bodies. If her mother wanted to hand out a scolding, he would take it right on the chin and spare Bianca the worst. He had sworn to protect Bianca, and he meant to do that.
As he backed out of his parking space, Sergei felt an unfamiliar quiver of panic hit his gut. He had a sneaking suspicion Bianca's mother was going to make him work for her blessing and permission to marry her daughter. With a snort of laughter, he decided that the same trick that had endeared him to Bianca wasn't likely to work on her mother. Kicking down her front door to save her from a shower curtain? Not a chance in hell of that one winning over Mrs. Bradshaw.
He would think of something. He always did. Once he had Bianca's mother squared away, he would concentrate on an even bigger problem—his own mother.
When Sergei entered the jewelry store, he immediately noticed Nikolai Kalasnikov standing at the glass counter on the far left side. His gaze skipped around the room, counting up the four other customers, and landed on Kostya who lingered just off to the right side of the door, ever vigilant and ready to protect the boss. Just a few short days ago, that had been Sergei's job. He felt suddenly strange to be in the same space as his old boss but totally apart from that world.
Glancing back toward the sound of the opening and closing door, Nikolai did a double-take. A true smile curved his mouth. "Sergei."
"Boss." He might not be on Nikolai's payroll anymore but the man was
the
boss of Houston.
"Shopping for Bianca?" Nikolai leaned an elbow on the glass case and eyed him with amusement. "Surely you aren't in need of an apology present so soon?"
"No." Sergei laughed and joined the boss at the counter. He was surprised when the other man held out his hand. Grasping it firmly, he shook it. "I'm here to look at those."
Nikolai followed his pointing finger to the case of engagement rings. His eyes widened slightly. "I see."
Not wanting to discuss the reason behind their rushed engagement, Sergei said, "Ivan sent me here. He said this is the best place."
The boss seemed to understand that he wasn't going to share any more than he had already revealed so he didn't push. "It is. Every piece I've ever given Vee has come from here. Kaz has good taste." He uncovered the jewelry sitting on white cloth. "See?"
A brilliant gold and diamond necklace glittered under the bright lights. The design made Sergei smile. Nikolai had commissioned a beautiful sunburst pendant for Vivian. Matching sunburst earrings and a delicate bracelet completed the set. The thoughtfulness behind the gift showed how much the boss adored and cherished his young wife. He called her his sun because she was the bright light that illuminated his darkness.
"I wanted to get her something special for the art show next week." Nikolai brushed his fingers over the diamonds. "She deserves it."
"Yes." He had been her bodyguard long enough to know how very hard she worked. How many evenings had he simply sat in a corner and stared at the pieces lining the walls of her studio while she splashed paint on canvas and swirled her brushes around a palette? Like Bianca, he hoped Vivian's upcoming show opened more doors for her career. Her paintings were just so beautiful and haunting. He wanted so many more people to see her talent.
Covering up the jewelry, Nikolai turned his attention to the nearby engagement ring case. "What do you think Bianca will like?"
Sergei shadowed Nikolai to the case and studied the display. "It has to be delicate. Not too big or flashy," he added. "She works with her hands all day. I want her to be able to wear the ring without it snagging on the dresses at her shop."
Nikolai made a humming sound in agreement. "Princess cut? Asscher? Cushion?"
Sergei blinked. He had no idea what the hell the boss meant. "Uh…square?"
Nikolai laughed and tapped the glass. "You want a princess cut."
Certain he would be making many trips to this store in the future, Sergei made a mental note to do some jewelry research. As he scanned the rings in the case, his gaze flickered over one in particular and swung back to reconsider it. There were two rows of winking diamonds in a rounded square shape surrounding an open slot meant for a larger center stone. The shoulder and mounting had detailed open scrollwork in the platinum and more diamonds.
"That's very nice," Nikolai murmured his approval. "I think it's a setting meant for a round stone though."
"Round, square," Sergei said with a shrug. "It's pretty."
Like her.
Finished helping his customer, the shop's owner sauntered over and held out his hand. Nikolai made introductions. After shaking hands, the older man produced a key to unlock the case. "Have you found something you like?"
Sergei indicated the ring. "Can I see this one?"
"Of course." Kazimir reached in and removed the tray holding the ring Sergei had been admiring. Holding it up for Sergei's inspection, he said, "A beautiful ring for a beautiful woman."
Smiling, Sergei took the ring and inspected it carefully. The craftsmanship was superb. He imagined the diamonds and platinum adorning Bianca's finger. There was no need to look at other rings. This was the one.
"If you like this one, my daughter has the sketch for a matching wedding band." Kazimir motioned toward the back of the shop. "Would you like to look at some center stones?"
"Yes." Sergei handed the ring back to the owner.
"This setting is for a round diamond. A carat or thereabouts," he added. "Let me go in the back and bring out a selection for you."
While they waited for the jeweler to return with the diamonds, Nikolai made small talk. "Did you see Vanya this morning?"
Sergei nodded. "We tossed one of the kids you sent."
"Which one did you keep?"
"Boychenko."
Nikolai seemed surprised by that. "He's small."
"Everyone is smaller than me," he said easily. "He's not as big as some of the other fighters on the circuit, but he's fast. He can learn."
"He won't ever be you," Nikolai groused. "There will never be another you. After Vanya left, I was lucky to have you fall into my hands. Now?" He shook his head. "I don't foresee many wins in our future."
Sergei noted the way the boss said
our
. Even though he was out of the family, he was still considered part of it. He wondered if he would ever truly be out of that life. Even Ivan and Alexei Sarnov couldn't completely cut their ties. Ivan continued to train fighters for the boss, and Alexei provided trucks from his fleet whenever the boss needed them.
"Look, boss, when you have time, I'd like to talk about the construction company." Nikolai's eyes narrowed fractionally. It was a twitch Sergei had learned to see as a warning so he decided to tread very carefully. "Ivan offered me a job at his warehouse."
The lines eased around the boss' mouth. "The gym is a better fit for you now, but there's a better future in the construction. For you and your family," he gestured to the engagement rings with a lift of his chin. "David wants to retire in the next two or three years so you'll stay with the company and take over when he leaves. You'll learn from him and then you'll have something legitimate that's yours."
"Mine?" Sergei couldn't hide his shock. He had never been anything more than a soldier in the organization. To be given something this big? It wasn't the usual way of things.
"Yours." Nikolai spun his wedding band around his finger. "I trust you. It's that simple for me. It takes a lot for a man to earn my trust."
Sergei held the boss' steely gaze. The message was broadcast loud and clear.
So don't fuck this up or I'll fuck you up.
Hoping Nikolai understood how much this meant to him, he said, "Thank you, boss."
"You've earned it. I asked much of you when you were mine. You risked your life in that cage night after night and never complained. A good living for your family is the least I can do."
Sergei swallowed hard. Before he could find a way to show his gratitude, Nikolai asked, "Did you hear about Ten?"
"Yes." He didn't mention the part about Ten moving in with Ivan and Erin.
"I've decided that he's going to take your place. He's going to be Vee's new guard."
Considering the brutal way Ten had attended to the shadowy side of the family's business, Sergei figured Vee couldn't have been in more capable hands. Thinking of the many months he had spent as her guard and the years he had known her before that, Sergei respectfully warned, "She won't like him."
"I'm not paying him to be her friend. I'm paying him to keep her safe." Then, with a slanted dip of his head, Nikolai asked, "Would you speak with him? You understand her. You know what she likes and what she needs from her guards. It will be easier for her if Ten understands her…quirks."
Sergei chuckled softly. "Quirks? Sure, boss, I'll tell him all about her quirks."
With a hint of amusement playing on his face, Nikolai said, "Perhaps not all of them. I don't want Ten asking for a job as a dishwasher or bus boy at Samovar instead."
Thinking of how difficult Vivian could sometimes be, Sergei could only laugh.
"They don't have to be best friends like you two were, but I want him to treat her with the same kindness that you always showed her. Especially now," Nikolai added softly.
As far as Sergei knew, the couple still hadn't breathed a word about Vivian's pregnancy. The rumblings on the street about problems brewing between her father and the cartel he once served had everyone on edge. There were whispers that Maksim Prokhorov, the big boss out of Moscow had made a deal with Romero Valero to run guns and more in Guzman cartel territory. Not surprisingly the move was making everyone nervous. If the cartel wanted to hit back, they would start with Vivian—and then there really would be hell to pay.
Kazimir returned with a blonde in tow. Sergei noticed the resemblance between the pair and figured this was the daughter. While her father wore a tailored three piece suit complete with pocket watch, she had chosen a slim-fitting black pencil skirt and emerald green top that made her pale blonde hair seem as white as snow. She had intensely blue eyes, the color as deep as the sapphires on sale in her father's store. He glanced at the nametag pinned to her shirt.
Zoya
.
Although she spoke to Nikolai in perfect Russian, there was no mistaking that accent. Like Boy, she was American-born. Judging by the proud way her father smiled at her, she was the center of his world. When she studied the ring Sergei had chosen, she grinned approvingly. "Oh, Bianca will definitely love this."
Stunned to hear Zoya talk with such authority on Bianca, he asked, "You know Bianca?"
"She runs a wedding boutique, and I'm in the business of diamonds. We're at most of the same wedding expos and attend get-togethers for wedding professionals." She slipped the ring onto her pointer finger. "I had heard through friends that you two were dating. Congratulations."
She seemed genuinely happy for them so he accepted with a smile. "Thank you."
Nikolai clapped him on the back. "I have a meeting or else I'd stay to help you pick out the perfect stone." He glanced at Kazimir and Zoya. "They'll take care of you."
"Yes, of course," the jeweler hurriedly assured. "Everything will be perfect."
"Good." Nikolai gave instructions for the gifts he had commissioned for his wife and bid them all farewell. Sergei turned to wave at Kostya before giving his attention to the line of bright, shiny diamonds waiting for him on a black velvet tray.
One by one, Zoya and her father went through the handful of stones they had selected. They explained how the diamonds were graded by color and cut and let him inspect them until he found one that he liked best. "I need this ring before we leave for London next week."
"It's not a problem," Kazimir promised. "We've done much faster turnarounds than that."
"We'll need her ring size," Zoya said as she tucked the diamond and the setting into a small envelope she had labeled with all of his details.