Sasha: Chapter 27

My brother’s living room in Lisbon, Portugal, had views of the sea, family, and friends.

Sometimes the view of the sea was preferable. All my siblings were here, their families. The Kings. The Ashfords. And the Brennans. Except the fucker Killian Brennan wasn’t here. His unhinged sister was here though.

Annoying as fucking shit.

Juliette Brennan spat shit out without thinking of any repercussions. And she antagonized everyone. I wished her father would marry her off so someone could fuck her into silence.

“I like Branka Russo,” she purred. “I think she’ll give Killian a run for his money.” Wynter sat on the floor surrounded by children. My guess was she was tired of her cousin’s mouth too.

Wynter was still struggling. Her heart was broken and she refused to talk. But she’d pull through. The DiLustros did a number on her, and they’d eventually pay for it. I’d see to it one way or another.

“I bet she doesn’t exasperate him as much as you,” Ivy, the fourth friend, commented. Silence followed and her eyes widened. It turned out the words slipped out of the red-haired girl. “I’m sorry. Not sure where that came from.”

“Killian said Branka has a spine of steel.” This spoiled brat had no idea. Branka was a survivor. Juliette’s tragedies had nothing on Branka’s. “I look forward to having another girl in our group.”

God, I wanted to choke her so she’d stop talking. Not kill her, just have her pass out so peace would follow. Every single word about her brother was pushing me closer and closer to the edge.

And starting shit right before Christmas would be poor etiquette. Right?

“I can’t decide whether you’re glaring at Juliette or studying her,” Aurora remarked, annoying the shit out of me. I loved my sister-in-law, and somehow her and my brother were perfect for each other. But she sure loved to poke at me.

“Neither,” I told her coldly. “Girl is as annoying as a fly.”

Aurora chuckled.

“She actually reminds me of you.” I shot her an exasperated look. That girl and I couldn’t be less alike if I tried. “You’re not annoying as a fly. Unless you want to be. It’s her stubbornness and determination. And of course, her big mouth.”

I shook my head. “And you’re an FBI profiler,” I remarked dryly. “Get the fuck out.”

“You antagonizing my wife?” Alexei showed up out of nowhere. No surprise there. He was a turbo stalker. I was a fucking angel compared to him. A dark angel, but an angel nonetheless.

“No, she’s antagonizing me,” I said, my tone bored. “And that girl over there. Couldn’t Liam leave her at home once in a while?”

Aurora chuckled. “I think leaving her at home is what starts trouble. Those girls together are capable of destroying the city.”

“Yeah, someone should marry them off and call it a day,” I remarked dryly.

I took a sip of my cognac, flicking a glance Cassio’s way. I wondered if he heard anything else from Alessio. The latter had been searching for ways to enter Afghanistan. Illegally since it was closed to the world.

“Why don’t you marry?” Aurora’s question had me forgetting Cassio and Alessio.

“Excuse me?”

“Why don’t you marry?” she repeated.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve waited for a very specific woman.”

Aurora wasn’t deterred by my tone. Anyone else would end the conversation. Not her. She wasn’t the giving up type. After all, she searched for her brother for twenty years.

“So you found her?” she questioned.

“What makes you think I found her?” I asked her curiously, casually leaning against the mantel.

“You said you’ve waited for a specific woman. If you hadn’t found her, you’d say ‘you’re searching for a specific woman’. Am I wrong?”

Aurora was too smart for her own good. I didn’t bother answering her. She knew she was right.

“Is she ready now?” she demanded to know. God, family could be such a fucking pain. When I didn’t answer, she continued, “I heard you got into decorating.”

I shot a glare at Vasili. Him and his big mouth. Or was it his wife who ratted me out?

“Would you like me to redecorate your living room?” I drawled lazily. “I can get started now.”

She threw her head back and laughed so loud she woke up little Kostya. Everyone’s eyes shifted our way, curious to know what was so funny.

Alexei took five steps to the little playpen and lifted the boy up.

“What’s so funny over there?” Isabella, Vasili’s wife, demanded to know.

“Sasha offered to redecorate our living room today,” Alexei answered in his flat voice.

“Oh.” Isabella’s dark eyes met mine. “I don’t know if today’s a good day, Sasha.”

“Or ever!” Vasili chimed in. “Don’t quit your day job.”

Juliette’s phone pinged and she exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. “Killian sends his regards. He and Branka are spending Christmas together, with the Corbins and Alessio.”

Cold fury shot through my spine, but I hid it. I smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle from my suit. “Christmas in New York is a sight to see.”

“Oh, they’re not in New York,” Juliette answered. “They’re freezing their balls in Canada.”

I’d be freezing my balls too then.

True to my plan, it was Christmas Eve and I was freezing my balls in Montréal.

For fuck’s sake.

At this rate, I’d be seeing Alessio’s home more than my own. Maybe I should offer to buy him out. Although considering his woman was stuck in Afghanistan, it was probably not a good time.

I hoped she’d be home by now. For Branka’s sake and her brother’s. I still had some friends from my military days but getting into that country right now was a firm no-go.

Fuck!

I hoped the woman was still alive. She better be. I didn’t want to see Branka’s heart shattered.

From the nearby guest house’s roof, I set up my equipment and watched for any movement through the scope. First, Branka’s bedroom.

Thank fuck it was empty. Then the living room. Alessio’s room. The kid’s room. It was all empty.

“Did that little bratty minx–” Then it hit me. They were probably at the Corbin residence.

But I still hadn’t moved. I sat, staring through the lens of my rifle and slowly a plan started formulating in my mind.

I had a debt to collect.

And my kotyonok had until her wedding to choose wisely.

If she didn’t, I’d do it for her.