Page 36 of Hunt Me

I could imagine what it would be like when she was older. Especially if there were no other children in the fold.

When I flexed my hand, I noticed the tattoos on my fingers. As of the past few years, I barely paid them any attention, but when I’d been adorned just after making enforcer, I’d been proud to show them off wherever I went. They meant I’d become someone of importance in the dangerous world and to the other members of my family.

Then they’d become nothing more than permanent jewelry. For some reason on this beautiful afternoon, I had a moment of pride and respect. What I’d told my beautiful, mysterious angel had sparked memories of the past. Maybe I was just getting old, too settled in my ways.

I carried a laugh as I headed to the front door. One of the estate employees had sensed my arrival, perhaps because I was fashionably late, and already had the door opened for me.

“Dobro pozhalovat’, Pakhan,” she said demurely. I’ll be damned if she didn’t act like she was going to curtsey.

“Irina. I’ve known you since I was an ugly teenager. I think you can call me Mikhail.”

She blushed and shook her head. She’d been with my uncle and aunt for as long as I could remember. “Not allowed, good sir,” she teased. “Your uncle wouldn’t approve.”

I laughed as she took the packages from me. “My uncle is an old doddering fool and it will be our little secret.”

Her smile was quick, brightening her entire face. “Should I take the unicorn from you? Pakhan?”

Groaning, I shot her a look and winked. “No, I think I’ll give this to Nina myself. I take is she’s in the backyard?”

Irina nodded. “Your aunt and uncle have outdone themselves this year. Everyone from the neighborhood was invited.” She closed the door behind me.

“Wonderful,” I growled and kept my teeth gritted as I headed for the backyard, managing to make it outdoors before being stopped by a member of the family.

“Miki!” Nina squealed as soon as she saw me. She’d yet to be able to pronounce my name, and was the only person allowed to use Miki.

“Baby girl.” The unicorn was bigger than she was and with the fluffy, colorful feet on the ground, I crouched down to Nina’s size. When she threw her arms around me, I squeezed her tight. “You’re getting too big.”

“I grew an inch.” She pulled away, smashing both her little hands against her mouth, jumping up and down as she stared glassy-eyed at the unicorn.

“An inch, huh? You’re a big girl now. Do you like it?”

“It’s butiful!”

There had to be twenty kids running around the backyard. Nina was in her prime element. I’d never seen her so happy.

“You just had to buy her another damn stuffed animal. Didn’t you?” Sasha asked as he slipped by my side, a beer in his hand.

“Daddy! You cussed. Not good.”

As soon as Nina chastised him, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re right, baby girl. Tell your daddy.”

Sasha growled on purpose, acting like he was going to race after her, turning into a big, bad monster. Nina and half the kids squealed.

“Jesus. A bounce house,” I muttered. Suddenly, an arm was slid around my waist.

“You should try it,” the female voice cooed. “Hiya, big brother.”

“Katya.” I kissed her forehead, squeezing her when I did. “How is my favorite sister?”

“Don’t you dare let Lilia hear you say that. I’m fine.” She punched me in the gut. “How is the big business tycoon?”

“You mean a brilliant mastermind. Right?” Katya was the baby of the family, her birth considered a miracle. She was entirely Americanized, barely learning any Russian and she had no accent.

“I think you’re a little hardheaded if you ask me.”

“She’s right,” Alexsey said as he approached. “Very hardheaded.”

“I heard you had a date the other night,” Katya teased, twirling away from me before I could grab her.