It was nice in Irkutsk with temperatures right at 70 degrees and a welcomed gentle breeze that felt more like spring than the sweltering heat of Memphis. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment briefly as a gust of wind danced through her tresses.
“Thank you, Lord,” she muttered.
Vasily wiped his tired eyes and nodded Royal’s way as he heard her small prayer. It was a good sign. It meant she still held on to hope. While everyone else had showered, he was still in the same Nike workout shorts and T-shirt he had worn out of the mansion the day before. Getting to their final destination meant he could change into some real clothes. But for now, his needs were the last thing on his mind. With his rifle thrown over his back in a safari sling, he advanced with the family toward the car. Holding a sleeping Dylan in his muscular arms, he tried to ease Royal’s worries even as he scanned for possible problems. “It’s a nice place to visit, Irkutsk, if you ever get the time. About half a million people live here, and it’s only over 300 miles to Mongolia. It’s a big little city, like Memphis. Plenty to do. Good shopping. Nice people for the most part.”
For the first time, Vasily felt like he was the head of the family instead of just a member of it, especially with everyone clinging to him for dear life. But he would be glad when Dmitry, Gabriel and Anatoly returned to their families. Juggling five women, seven kids, a pseudo-little brother and a large staff of guards and other help was exhausting. How Dmitry Medlov did this everyday was beyond him. And it only solidified his desire never to be head of his own family or Czar.
“Mongolia?” Lilly held on to Vasily’s hand and yawned, trying to picture where that was on a world map but drawing a blank. “That’s where people still ride horses and live in gers.” With her hair pulled up in a messy bun, dressed in yoga pants and a long fitting T-shirt, she dreamt of being close to a day spa where she could get a pedicure and have someone tighten her weave. “We’re basically in the middle of nowhere, which a bunch of white folks who don’t know the first thing about black women’s needs.”
“Mongolia has a Louis Vuitton store,” Vasily said, winking at Lilly. He knew instantly her ears would perk up at the possibility
“Really?” Lilly said, eyes lightening up. “Do they have a sister from Atlanta, Georgia who knows how to slay virgin yaky weave?”
Renee busted out in laughter, covering her mouth as she gaffed. “Girl, you need help.”
Vasily was glad his wife was still somewhat cheerful. She would need it in the days to come. He glanced down at her lovingly, wishing for a moment soon when they could bond physically to alleviate some of the stress. “I doubt they have a slayer, but Anastaysia can always do your hair.”
“I’m learning,” Anastaysia grinned proudly. “I helped her take her hair down last month.”
“Wherever we are going, we need to hurry and get there,” Renee quipped, waddling closely to Vasily while Anil held Alexandria in his embrace. “My back is killing me, and it would be nice to poop without everyone hearing.” She glanced back at Royal and winked, her long goddess braids propped up on her head like a crown, dressed in a simple black cotton floor-length dress and black leather braided sandals.
Anil laughed at Renee and how absolutely precious she looked pregnant. He had never had a sister before her, but now that he had Renee, he felt complete. She was a true sister-girl, always cutting through the bullshit and speaking her mind. “In that case, after listening to you, I think I’m pregnant too, because my back is killing me, and a private shit sounds better than a bubble bath right now.”
“Oookay…” Renee said sarcastically, high-fiving her brother-in-law with one hand and keeping the other on her large belly.
“I don’t have to poop,” Anastaysia chimed in, “but I do need to go for a run. Sitting sedentary for hours, I’m sure four pounds went to my ass.” She had not been around her new family long, but they had already rubbed off on her.
After months in a brothel in Miami and months after that in rehab, Anastaysia’s previously uptight icy personality had melted into something akin to resilient acceptance. She still loved the Lord, still read her Bible, but life’s trials had shown her what this world was capable of and what she was capable of living in it. The women of this Medlov family had been her only reprieve. They showed her a path back to happiness, and they never judged. As a result, they had become her best friends.
“Who you trying to get your ass tight for, Princess PP?” Renee joked with her sister-in-law, Anastaysia. “Oh, let me guess, Nadei.” Renee glanced across the tarmac and saw him standing with his child in a front harness, looking like a million dollars in a pair of dark jeans, a white shirt and a blonde spiked hair cut. “He’s right over there watching your every move, but I doubt he’s thinking about how fat you look.”
Lilly couldn’t miss the chance. “Oh, he’s thinking about how fat something looks with her in those skin-tight yoga pants sponsored by Camel.”
“Camel Ultra Lights,” Renee emphasized.
Anastaysia blushed and shoved Renee lightly. “Careful with that talk. You’ll get him in trouble with Ana. I should have never told you.”
“Shit, we already knew,” Lilly joked, looking back at Anastaysia. “It’s pretty obvious. He can’t keep his eyes off you, and you’ve always got his baby.”
“They need to just have one of their own. Keep the kids close together, so they have someone to play with,” Renee said with her lips twisted up.
Royal giggled, so glad to have her family with her. They could make light of any situation, add levity to any dark moment, but mostly, they kept her grounded. She was in one of the most trying times of her life, but somehow, they made her feel like it was going to be okay.
Royal looked over at Valeriya, expecting her to chime in, but she kept her eyes focused on the vehicle, not uttering a word as she clutched her daughter to her chest. In step with Valeriya, the guard held the other baby with the same protection.
“Hey, you okay?” Royal asked her quietly.
Valeriya nodded yes, but it was furthest from the truth. “Open spaces make me uncomfortable. I’ll feel better when we get our kids to the house.” She glanced around the tarmac, pinpointing every possible place a sniper could be hiding.
Royal didn’t probe. Everyone knew Valeriya was different from the other women. True, they had all dabbled in trying to be a bad ass, but Valeriya was the real deal. She had fought in hand-to-hand combat with Russian soldiers and Nazi scum, and she had lost more than everyone else, including her mother, father and big brother. PTSD was just a part of her life now. Paranoia came and went like headaches for most people. In this heightened alert status, she could not help her.
“We’ll get you inside, ASAP,” Royal promised.
Royal wasn’t the only one who understood how fragile Valeriya was at that moment. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” Vasily promised, turning to her. “I swear it on my life.” And he meant it, regardless of her cynicism.
Valeriya remembered her brother, Andrei, saying the same words before he left her never to return. She railed silently, a stream of air escaping her lungs as she tried to smile. “Don’t ever swear on your life, Vasily. It’s not wise,” she said softly. “Your word will do good enough.”
Vasily, however, was not so sure. “Well, you have my word, then,” he countered.
The other women in silence exchanged looks of concern. Was the new mother going to be able to handle this? Was she going to be able to handle not having Gabriel to support her? Only time would tell.
Embedded with the long procession of black-on-black Mercedes SUVs facing toward the plane was a strange man, who stepped out of one of the vehicles when a guard opened his door. Even from across the tarmac, his presence was notable.
“Who is that?” Royal asked Vasily under her breath. She could tell by his confident and authoritative stride toward them that the stranger was no one’s guard. Having been around billionaires her entire adult life, she could smell the money radiating o
ff him. Diamond cufflinks, well-cut suit, immaculate grooming – this was a boss, just not one she had ever met.
“That is Simeon Kurdin.” Vasily nodded respectfully toward the man. “They call him The Kurd. He is the head of one of the families on the international council and the hand that moves the needle for everything in Siberia.”
That was all well and good, but Royal had a question more germane to their current situation. “But Is he a friend?” Royal asked, straightening her spine.
Dmitry had never really spoken of the international council, although she knew that he had a seat at the table. He had often told her it was better that she didn’t know too much, and after that, she never pushed the issue. Now, she wished that she knew just a little more, if nothing else to know who was friend, or who was foe.
“Da, he is a friend,” Vasily confirmed, stopping to pass his son to Lilly as the stranger approached. “Dobroye utro.” Offering his hand, Vasily greeted the silver fox good morning in Russian with a sudden seriousness that meant only one thing – he was of equal stature to Dmitry Medlov.
Simeon extended his large hand that was covered in intricate Russian prison tattoos and shook Vasily’s with a firm grip. “Dobroye utro,” he said, voice deep and rich, shoulders extended.
“Glad to see you all arrive safely.” Simeon offered, noticing how under dressed Vasily was. Evidently, the family had to drop what they were doing in a hurry. He had never seen the man so informal in all the years he had known him.
“Glad to make it here safely,” Vasily offered.
They passed a knowing look between the two – a mutual respect only gained through hard work in the Vory. Simeon Gideon had received the call-to-action and had responded to a friend in need. Vasily understood and appreciated that fact, even if it was lost on the rest of them. On the other end, Simeon recognized that Vasily was holding together an entire family by himself as the world around him unraveled.
“What a situation we find ourselves in, eh?” Simeon joked.
“Sometimes…shit happens,” Vasily said with a grin on his face. “We’ll get past this. A few years from now, we’ll all be laughing about it.”
“I believe you’re right.” Simeon casted a quick, assessing glance over the entire family, thoughts unreadable, and then trailed his gaze over to Royal. His jade green eyes were unnerving in their vibrant color - rimmed in Sapphire blue that turned into jade green with specks of copper gold that sparkled under black lashes and brows. Watching her for a brief second, he read her quickly.
But so, did Royal.
Simeon was a tall man, though not as tall as Medlov, standing a firm six-feet, three-inches, and a muscular man based upon the bulge under his well-cut suit. In his mid-to-late forties, his hair was silver and black, his face covered by a well-groomed beard and skin as white as snow. Men like him didn’t come to receive anything less than an equal. Without being certain, she knew her husband must have sent him.
Drawn to Royal’s beauty, Simeon refused to acknowledge anyone else until he had introduced himself.
“Mrs. Royal Medlov,” he said, walking over to her to offer his hand again. “It is an honor to meet you. My name is Semion Kurdin. If I may say so, your beauty has been long discussed in our circles, but I must admit, the compliments did you no true justice.” Slightly bowing his head as she slipped her hand in his, he lifted and kissed it.
“Spasibo,” Royal answered, intrigued by the man. Her eyes never left his, refusing to give any sign of weakness or submissiveness. “It’s nice to meet you as well.” However, she was surprised that Dmitry had never mentioned him and wondered in that moment if she could trust his presence. Could she trust anyone?
“Ladies,” Simeon said to the other wives, “and gentleman,” he finished with a nod towards Anil, stunned by the young man’s similarity in appearance to his father. Casually running a hand over his black tie, he stepped to the side and lifted his hand. “Welcome to my city. Irkutsk is a hidden gem full of rich culture as I hope that you’ll see on your drive through it. If you are hungry, please feel free to stop at my restaurant on the Riverfront and grab a bite to eat before your travels. Staff has been alerted and is preparing for your arrival. It’s the only restaurant right on the waterway with a breathtaking view of the Angara River.” He paused on a proud side note, leaning in to Royal as if he was telling her a big secret. “My chef is one of the best in the country – trained in France, stolen from a hound in Moscow.”
Royal raised a brow. His invitation for breakfast was not just a fleeting offer. He had obviously put much thought into it. To turn him down would be a great dishonor. This Simeon was quite a character, very sure of himself and colorful for it to be so early in the morning. She doubted very seriously that he was always so polite. Wolves were some of the most beautiful creatures that God had ever created, but also some of the most vicious. Just like her husband, he had eyes designed to ensnare his prey, mesmerizing them with beauty before the attack.
Simeon continued, voice elevating slightly as if to express the more important points of his visit. His smile dropped for a second. “Also, some of my men will be escorting your family and staff to your husband’s estate. I would do it myself normally, but I’m off to St. Petersburg for a very important meeting.” He glanced over at Vasily again, certain he understood his meeting. Then the smile reappeared as he turned back to Royal. “When I return, I will be sure to come by and formally pay you a visit. But I wanted to take the time to welcome you and ensure you that your safety and comfort is at the top of my list. All of my resources are at your disposal, and one of my men, Daniil, will be staying with you to ensure that all of your needs are met while you are here in Siberia. He is Russian, but very much like me, speaks flawless English, so he’ll understand you beautiful American ladies, and you will understand him. He will arrive on tomorrow, simply because he is running an errand for me today.”
Royal appreciated the gesture but was hesitant to accept it too quickly on more guards. She schooled her face and her response, realizing she was representing her entire family. “We have brought over twenty guards with us, Mr. Kurdin. Thank you, but I’m not sure that one more will be necessary. I would hate to take one of your best men from you, when we have so many. On any given day, my husband cannot do without one of his…”
Simeon grinned, reading between her spoken words and the ones she dared not utter. He raised a corrective finger. “First, please call me Simeon – we are friends. Secondly, I do understand the sensitivity of your situation.” He glanced at Anya, hoping to speak above her head in order not to scare the little czarina. “You can trust Daniil, my dear. He is one of my best. I would not offer any less to the Medlov family. And as I said, this is my territory. All of Serbia, every single inch. So, if he is with you, you will not be in a position of need. Local police know him. Agents of the Russian Federation know him. And of course, those who might otherwise be looking for trouble…”
“Know him,” Royal said finishing his sentence with a grin on her face.
“My point is made,” Simeon said with a submissive nod.
Royal turned her lips up into a smile, deciding not to offend her new acquaintance. If he truly was a friend of Dmitry’s, that would not be appropriate. Instead, she warmed her tone and took back her previous words. “Well, thank you again, for being so kind to offer such a generous welcome. We will accept the extra guard as he sounds most competent.” She saw the approval on Simeon’s face. “And breakfast with your fine chef sounds wonderful after such a long flight. I can tell you it is needed.”
“Eto khorosho,” Simeon spoke in Russian, testing to see if she understood the language. “Tol'ko to, chto ya khochu uslyshat'.”
“It is good, and I’m glad that it’s what you want to hear, because what I want most is the follow up on your promise to visit when you return from your meeting in St. Petersburg.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “So that we may talk more.”
Clever girl, Simeon thought to himself. Royal e
vidently was sharp, very sharp. “As soon as I arrive back from St. Petersburg, I will come to you straight away. My word is always my bond.” Bowing again in the presence of a true queen, he ended the conversation. “Now, if you all will excuse me, I must hurry off.” As he walked away, a detail of heavily armed men in black suits followed him across the tarmac to his own private jet.
Royal watched Simeon for several seconds before she turned to Vasily. Inhaling a frustrated breath, she spoke under her breath. “I want to hear everything you know about that man as soon as we are completely alone,” she said, resuming their walk over to the awaiting vehicles. Her heels clicked against the ground. “And what of this Daniil? Do you know him?”
“I do,” Vasily answered, walking beside her.
“Is he…one of the best?” she asked.
Vasily smirked. “No, in terms of what Daniil does, he is the best.”
“Well, what does he do?” Royal held back her first reaction to snap at Vasily for making her drag the information out of him, but her tone was still terse.
Arriving at the vehicle, he helped her get the boys and Anya inside while Lilly and Dylan were loaded in one of the other cars. Standing closer to her to make sure no one else heard him, Vasily looked down into Royal’s eyes and shook his head. Some questions just were not meant to be answered directly, but if she insisted... “He’s a harvester, among other things.”
Royal’s eyes narrowed on Vasily’s mouth as he said the words. She frowned, looking up at him as she connected the dots. Another butcher. “And I’m supposed to be comfortable with this man in my home with my children?”
Vasily’s brow rose. “You were comfortable with me, and you won’t be there alone. But Simeon is right. You need a guide. This is not our territory.”
Royal’s mouth parted, but she couldn’t find the words. “Point taken.” Jumping in the back of the truck once her children were loaded, she put her hands in her lap and kept her eyes straight forward.
Dmitry's Redemption: Book One (The Medlov Men 7) Page 21
