Seth's Cravings: An Endless Series: Book 2 (69 page)

     “Those stories are pure propaganda.” I stated
stone-faced.

     My father scoffed in laughter. “Are you calling me a
liar, son?”

     I shook my head. “No, never. I was calling you an exaggerator.”

     He snorted. “That’s barely better, and anyway I have
witnesses to my versions of the stories.”

     “Are they as old as you are, old man? Stories told over
time by aging men are like stories exchanged by gossip mongers. They always end
up embellished or changed each time they are retold.” I joked.

     He grinned, not at all bothered by my age comment. It
was something we bantered about on a regular basis, and not just between us,
but many of our long time family and co-workers. “Age is wisdom, and stories
told over time become legend.” My father quipped back.   

     Nadia looked back and forth between us with an
intrigued smile. “You two do this often, swap philosophical viewpoints? Because
if so I must be allowed to join in. Women are so much better at philosophy.”
She boasted.

     I cocked an amused eyebrow at my dad. “That’s what I
love about her, she’s so unassuming.”

     My dad chuckled while Nadia tossed her hair back trying
to control her own grin. “That’s the difference between us, I don’t
assume
anything, because you know what they say about
ass
umers.”  

     She’d twisted my words to her own benefit the little
vixen. My dad just chuckled at her deliberate misinterpretation. I noticed
Mandy and Teresa staring at Nadia with uncertainty. They were still trying to
figure her out. My sister’s were girly-girls and I don’t think they knew how to
relate to a woman who was a plumber and poker expert.  

     Nadia was excellent at winning people over so I knew
they’d all end up getting closer through the years. If I had any say about it
they’d have many, many years to get to know each other.    

     “Dad, there something I want to show you and mom.” I
held out my hand to Nadia. She took it looking at me questioningly, but I shook
my head with a secret grin pulling her up off the couch where she’d been
sitting next to my dad.

     Dad gave me a deeper questioning look, possibly even
half alarmed. He probably thought I was going to show him an engagement ring.
My grin remained and I gave him a small shake of my head at his crazy
imagination…although, it wasn’t that crazy, just too soon.  

     Dad grabbed mom’s hand and I led the way down the hall
toward the study. After they were all seated comfortably I stationed myself in
front of them. “Several weeks ago I made a huge mistake. I kept my relationship
to Nadia a secret from my parents because I didn’t trust in them.” The three of
them stared at me in confusion about where I was going with this because I’d
already apologized to all them about that blunder. “Because of that I almost
lost Nadia, and I put a dent in all our relationships.” They were all shaking
there heads, telling me everything was in the past, but I kept going because I
was working up to a point. “I made another error in judgment when I went after
Nadia’s attacker with a little too much zeal. I didn’t want to involve Nadia
because even though she hated me at the time I knew she would want to help,
because that’s the way she is. However, I didn’t want to open up the
possibility of her losing Luka and Issy.” Nadia eyes narrowed. My parents still
watched me with confused curiosity. “But a friend of mine took it upon himself
to inform Nadia of what was happening, and just like I thought she stepped into
help.”

     My parents turned toward Nadia. She glared at me with a
flushed face. “I thought we decided you weren’t going to tell them what I
did.”  

     “Wellll…” I offered her the same word she’d drawled at
me when revealing what she’d done. “Under great pressure from you I reluctantly
agreed. You wanted my parents to like you for you and not for what you’d done,
but I believe that’s already been accomplished. Wouldn’t you say, mom, dad?” I
looked at them with a questioning look.

     While still baffled they both nodded, and my mom patted
Nadia’s knee. “I’ve only known you for a little while but I can tell you are a
singularly extraordinary person, Nadia. How you’ve taken care of your brother
and sister, it’s remarkable. I can see why my son fell for you so quickly. You
two are perfect for each other.”

     Nadia blushed further. “Zank you.” She choked out
emotionally in her thick accent.

     My father’s head dipped in agreement. “I agree, Nadia.
My son told me how anxious you were that I would resent you for his decision to
not go to Harvard, and while I didn’t like it at first I wouldn’t have blamed
you. It’s his decision, and he is old enough to make it. I can even say I
accept it as the right decision after meeting all of you. My son has been a
little closed off emotionally these past years, ever since his cousin’s death,
but I see a difference in him around you. He smiles more, and he seems lighter
in spirit.”

     I stared at my father in shock. Had I really been that
way? Hell, I know I felt different, better, around Nadia, but I never knew I’d
been guarding myself. Derek’s death
had
hit me hard though.

     He stared back at me with somber love. “It’s true, son.
You used to be so demonstrative with your love, and outgoing in your manner, but
after Derek’s death you pulled back. It was difficult to see, and accept, but
all we could do was hope that in time you would catch that fire of life again.
It seems all you needed was the spark and love of a good woman.”

     I watched Nadia wipe at her eyes, trying to do it
inconspicuously because she hated to cry. I was getting a little choked up
myself.

     “I think you might be right dad. It seems like I’ve
been waiting for her forever.” I said gazing at her fixedly. Her lips trembled
and she stared back with rapidly blinking eyes.

     I cleared my throat. “Back to what I was saying before.
I promised Nadia I wouldn’t tell you about what she did, and I’m not going to.
Instead, I’m going to show you.”

     Nadia frowned. “Show them?”

     Walking up to the flat screen on the wall I connected
my phone and found the video Cole had sent me of Nadia’s performance at Dale’s
house. Cole and I had formed our own bond. I could see that Cole was trying to
build a true family connection with Nadia, Luka and Issy, and Cole had
recognized that I would do anything for them as well.

     Pushing play I walked back to the couch and sat down on
the arm next to Nadia, taking her hand in mine. The video began with Nadia
climbing out of the limo and commanding them to ‘
focus’
. My stomach
clenched in arousal hearing her authoritative tone. I’d watched the replay
several dozen times and each time it continued to elicit the same stimulating
response. She was like a General directing her troops and it was damn hot.    

     Nadia’s hand tightened in mine as she watched the
screen. “Cole.” She whispered, retribution dripping from her voice. I grinned
at her disgruntlement.

     My parent’s watched the video silently. Mom’s hand
settled on her throat in shock, and dad watched the entire thing with narrowed eyed
scrutiny. Nadia’s hands stayed clenched tightly with mine and I could see her
shooting nervous sideway glances in my parent’s direction.   

     When it was done my mom looked at Nadia and me in
confusion. “I don’t understand.”

     My dad frowned and stared thoughtfully at Nadia’s crimson
face. He appeared to be catching onto the gist of the video quicker than my
mother.

     “When Nadia…” How to say this tactfully for my mother.
“Incapacitated Dale, after he attacked her, she made up this elaborate tale
about how her dad was in the mafia. He believed her.”

     My mother’s eyes widened with sudden clarity. She
looked at Nadia in amazement. “That was so…ingenious. You probably did that so
he wouldn’t come after you…and then you used it to get that boy to drop the
charges.” My mom was almost bouncing in her seat in happiness. She reached out
and hauled Nadia into a hug. “Oh, my god, that was so clever. Thank you, Nadia.”

     My father stood up and when my mother released a
bemused Nadia he hauled her up off the couch into his own embrace. “Girl, what
you did for my son there, when I know that you were extremely displeased with
him…well, that was an incredible act of love. If he ever screws up again, which
he probably will, I just want you to know that you will always have a welcoming
place in our home.”

     I shook my head at my dad’s words even though I
appreciated them as well. I wanted my parents to hold Nadia in the greatest
esteem.

     Loosening his embrace my dad clinched a still bemused Nadia
to his side and pulled me into his other side giving me a severe look. “Don’t
you be screwing up again, because this girls a keeper. Although the keeper part
should be taken loosely. I don’t want to see any rings on any fingers until
much farther in the future.” He warned good-naturedly, but I could see he was
also serious.    

     “Sure dad, no rings…yet.” All three of them looked at
me in surprise, but I noticed some amusement behind my dad’s surprise. I wasn’t
kidding about the ‘yet’ part and he’d caught that.

     “Yes, well, we will leave you two alone because I
believe Nadia has some grumbling to do. I’m rather shocked she’s held it in
this long.” My dad teased giving Nadia a fatherly kiss on the head.

     Nadia slapped him on the chest, her face flushed. “Jim,
you’re a card and a half, but seriously, this rooms sound proof, right?”

     A laugh burst from his mouth and his eyes twinkled.
“Nadia, I’m not one to be biased, but I can already tell that you are going to
be my favorite.” Slipping between us he guided my mom from the room, still
chuckling, closing the door behind them.

     I grinned down at Nadia. “I told you they’d love you.”
Her eyes narrowed and her mouth opened, but before any words could spew forth I
grabbed her around the waist and dragged her close. “I didn’t really break my
promise…just meandered around it. I’m like a genie, you have to be specific.”

     She gave me a half-hearted punch, but thankfully only
appeared slightly aggrieved. “You know I wanted them to like me for me, not for
what I did for you. Now they are always going to view me as some kind of heroic
girlfriend who saved their son from going to jail.”

     “Are you kidding? You made them love you from the get
go. Hell, my dad has been attempting to steal you away from Tom because he
wants you working for him…wants you in the family. I’ve actually seen the
contract. And you heard what they said before I even showed the video.” I hauled
her back into me. “What they said, about me shutting myself down after Derek’s
death; I never really thought about it before, but it’s true. I told you how
his death put me in an out of control tail spin and my parents eventually sent
me go to a therapist for help. With that help I was able to get my emotions
back in control, but I now realize I locked them away somewhat…that is until
you. Several people have commented on how much I’ve changed since meeting you.
Nic and Landon said they’ve seen more emotion and smiles out of me in one week
than in the three years before you. My dad was right, Nadia; you’ve sparked my
fire, a fire I didn’t even realize was out.”

     Nadia relaxed into my embrace, her head tilted down to
rest on my chest. “You are very good at obliterating my anger…a little too
good.” She mumbled.

     “With the way you hit I think I need that edge.” I
chuckled.

     She groaned. “Issy told me I needed to apologize to you
for that…I am really sorry for hitting you.”

     I grinned at the thought of Issy reprimanding Nadia for
slapping me, but rubbed her back soothingly because I could hear her sincere
regret. “I deserved it. I hit you right where you were most vulnerable. All you
did was slap the stupid out of me.”   

     She sputtered in laughter and leaned back to look up at
me, her amazing eyes shining brightly. Raising her arms she circled them around
my neck. “I wasn’t the only spark in this relationship. You lit a fire inside
me as well.” Her fingers tangled in my hair and she tugged me down toward her
lips. She kissed me softly, nipping at my lips. I let her lead— even though my
body was hardening uncomfortably—because it seemed she had something to say. “You
barreled in, made me realize that I could have something more than just my
promise, and as a result I now have the most amazing man in my life. I love you.”

     This woman held my heart in her hand, and every time I
heard those words she took even more of me. I returned her soft kiss with one
of my own. “I’m only amazing with you.”

     She shook her head and I frowned as tears started
welling in her eyes. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

     Her hand came up and palmed my face tenderly. “I was
just thinking that my mother would have loved you. I wish she could have met
you, seen us together, known what I’d found with you.” One tear slipped down
her cheek, a tear she didn’t bother to hide or wipe away.

     My heart pinched at the love and regret on her face and
in her voice. “Oh honey, she sees me. She sees us. She knows.” I reassured,
hugging he close.

     She nodded forcefully, another tear falling. “You’re
right. She does.” Squeezing me tightly, she mumbled. “I love you, Seth.”

     “
Ya lyublyu tebya
.
Ya budu vsegda lyublt
tebya
(I will always love you), Nadezhda.” I returned.

     She sucked in a breath and looked up at me in delight.
“You said that perfectly.”

     I grinned at her happiness, and at her generous use of
perfect. I knew I could have said it better. “I’ve been practicing, and
learning. I need to know what my woman in saying in the thoroughs of anger and
sex.”