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“There she is!” Fedor's voice booms across the room as he sees me enter. My cousin crosses over and picks me up in a bear hug that lifts my feet off the floor. “Little Beth, not so little anymore!”

“Put me down, you oaf,” I laugh, swatting at his shoulder.

“Two years and the first thing you do is insult me? That's fair.” He sets me down, his familiar grin crinkling the corners of his eyes.

“Beth!” Artyom appears at his brother's side, offering an equally generous hug. “You look good. Happy.”

“I am happy,” I say. “Especially to see all of you.”

Nikolai immediately takes me under his wing and pours me a glass of wine. “Is it as good as it is in Paris?” he asks.

“Better,” I tell him with a nod.

“Good,” he says with pride. “I had a whole crate imported in your honor.”

“Oh, how you spoil me, Nikolai!” I laugh as Anoushka confirms what he says is true.

Dima, Sofia, and Natalia’s husband, Denis, soon reach for the bottle while Sofia’s husband, Vladimir, engages me in conversation.

The rest of the evening starts to blur. There’s so much to talk about, so many questions to ask and answer.

Dinner is a feast—traditional Russian dishes alongside New York steakhouse fare. I sit between Fedor and Artyom, who keep me laughing with their running commentary and ridiculous stories.

“Remember when you convinced Beth that blini were only for people over eighteen?” Artyom says to Fedor, refilling my wine glass.

“And she cried for an hour?” Fedor chuckles. “That was mean. I'm sorry, Beth.”

“No, you're not,” I retort, but I'm smiling. “Just like you're not sorry for telling me that the basement was haunted by Uncle Gregor's ghost.”

“To be fair,” Nikolai interjects from the head of the table, “our uncle was terrifying enough to haunt several basements.”

A ripple of laughter passes around the table.

“How are my brothers?” I ask during a lull in conversation. “Really?”

“They are doing well. Working hard. Lion is leading our Moscow operations from this year,” Nikolai answers.

“Good. Good,” I say with a smile, though it feels forced.

“It would have been nice to have them with us tonight,” says Lara, Dima’s wife, with the sweetest smile. I give her a grateful look, knowing she understands I miss them.

“Oh yes. Samuil called the other day from London…” Dima begins updating me on the rest.

Based on how my cousins speak, I can tell that since I’ve left, my oldest brother, Ardalion, known as Lion to all who know him, has created a significant position for himself within the family. He’s teaching the rest of our brothers the ropes.

“I had no idea they were so…far away,” I say. “I knew they travelled, but London. Dubai? We could have met during some of our travels.”

“We've kept you updated as much as security allowed,” Nikolai says, reading my expression. “Besides, no one wanted to cramp your style.”

“I'm back now,” I say, meeting Nikolai's gaze directly. “For good. And I'm ready to help however I can.”

He gives me a look of approval. “We'll discuss all that soon. For tonight, let's just celebrate your return.”

***

Days blur together after that night. I settle into my old life and even invite some old friends over for coffee.

In the evenings, I sometimes help a frazzled Anoushka by taking the kids off her hands.

The nanny can only do so much, and Anoushka and Nikolai enjoy being hands-on parents, even when their plates are full.

One morning, Sofia drags me shopping to “civilize my wardrobe,” as she puts it. Another night, Natalia invites me to her charity committee meetings. Fedor and Artyom take me to lunch at our old favorite deli for burgers and shakes, where the owner greets me like a long-lost daughter.

But then, the restlessness begins to gnaw at me, especially since I’ve noticed that no one directly asks about my future plans. It’s as though they’re afraid of scaring me off again, thinking I’d insist on another world tour if asked to contribute the bare minimum for our family.

But I'm tired of waiting for them to offer me a role. I’m here for good, and it’s time for me to do what everyone else here has done for each other—to take responsibility.

The two years of traveling have truly changed me, I realize.

It’s cultivated an independence that makes me want to take ownership.

After two weeks of being back, I decide to approach Nikolai directly. Typically, I would have gone to my brother Lion or Benedikt, but since they are not here, Nikolai is my best option. He’s the head of our organization and has always respected initiative.

One morning, I practice my speech in the bathroom mirror, rehearsing points about my business degree, language skills, fresh perspective, and adaptability. I want something meaningful, not just a symbolic position to occupy. I want to earn my place.

After enjoying a quick breakfast and coffee in my room while reviewing some final notes, I make my way to Nikolai's home office when I notice that the door is ajar and voices are filtering out into the hall.

I slow my steps, not wanting to interrupt what sounds like a heated discussion. I’m about to turn around for my room to let them have this discussion in private when I hear my name.

“This is unacceptable,” Nikolai roars. “Beth's barely been back two weeks.”

I stop in my tracks and inch my way to the door with a hammering heart. He’s talking about me in that tone, and he sounds upset. What happened? Did I do something wrong?

“The timing is immaterial,” someone says. His voice is familiar, deep, and cold, with the faintest accent. “The alliance benefits both our families, and my terms are reasonable.”

“Reasonable?” I hear Fedor. “Our cousin is not up for barter!”

Up for barter? Are they talking about… marrying me off? I strain my ear harder, trying not to miss what’s happening, even though my hands begin to feel clammy with anxiety.

“Perhaps, Orlov. But after what you did, you should think twice. The only way this alliance works is if I have Lilibeth’s hand in marriage.”

My breath catches at that line. That’s when I recognize his voice—Lilibeth. The way he says my name, breaking it into two words with the slightest pause in between.

How could I forget? It was a voice I could usually place across a crowded room.

Letvin. Agafon Letvin.