Page 24 of Beaten

“Just at war with Dimitri. Nothing unusual.”

“But you’re all right?”

“I’m standing right here, aren’t I?”

She rolls her eyes like I’m an annoying younger brother. “Just because you’re physically fine doesn’t mean you’re actually fine.”

“I just had to come here. This place always calms me down. Helps me orient my thoughts.”

“Of course. I can make us some tea.”

“Actually, I want to talk to Nina and Susanna. I have an idea for them.”

“I’ll go get them.” She heads upstairs while I settle on the couch in the front living room. Pictures of Maria and Gregor and the girls are all over the walls and mantle of the fireplace. This was a home filled with love until Gregor died. It’s gotten colder since then. The girls have gotten more cold since the death of their father.

Nina and Susanna join their mom in the living room.

“You needed something?” Susanna asks, looking like she wants to be anywhere else than here.

“Sit. Let’s talk.”

Nina sits down beside me while Susanna takes the chair furthest away. She always had more of an attitude than Nina, though Nina is no saint herself.

Maria gives me a curious look. “What’s going on?”

“I am getting married.”

All the air leaves the room. The three women exchange looks.

“Married?” Nina asks in her softer voice. “To who?”

“We didn’t even know you were seeing anybody,” Maria adds.

“Who would you want to marry?” Susanna asks. “You never date.”

“I date. I just don’t bring women around here if it’s not serious.”

Susanna blushes and furrows her brow. At sixteen, she’s still so young and innocent but thinks she knows everything there is to know about in this world. It’s a dangerous combination.

“Who is she?” Nina asks.

“Her name is Katya Ivanov.”

Nina and Susanna stare at me blanky but it’s Maria who has a reaction. “Katya Ivanov? That name seems familiar…”

“She’s Dimitri Ivanov’s sister.”

Maria’s eyes practically bulged out of her head. “His… sister?”

“What’s wrong?” Susanna demands as her and Nina look between me and their mom.

“No one has seen his sister in… years!”

“Well, she’s mine now. I’m going to marry her. And I need your help.” I turn to Nina and Susanna. “I want you girls to go wedding dress shopping with her. I think it would be a fun idea.”

“No,” Susanna says point blank.

I frown. “No? Why not?”