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“You guys sound funny every time you say ‘dads’,” I said with a chuckle. “I’ve noticed all of you do it. Makes it sound like you’ve got more than one father.”
The Volkov siblings stared at each other.
“Wait! She doesn’t know about our dads?” Lilja questioned, staring at her brothers.
“It never came up,” Yakim muttered.
“What never came up?” I asked at the strange expressions on the Volkov men.
“We have four dads, Lucia,” said Lilja, glaring at her brothers.
“What?” I exclaimed.
“Yeah,” said Lilja with a nod. “We have four dads.”
“You mean ‘stepdads’?”
“No! Real dads!”
My confusion must’ve been apparent on my face because Lilja continued explaining.
“Each generation of Volkov brothers marries a woman,” said Lilja. “Her children belong to all the brothers.”
I stared between Yakim, Leon, and Mikhail. Wasn’t that the same kind of relationship we had? From the very start, I was attracted to all three of them. Instead of fighting over me, they always shared me.
“This our family’s tradition,” Yakim explained in a grim tone. “It’s different from the monogamous marriages you’re used to. Our way ensures all Volkov men stay together. With one woman uniting them, they avoid all conflicts that come with forming relationships with outsiders.”
“What happens to the female children of this family?” I asked, gazing at Lilja.
“Girls are free to marry whoever they like,” said Lilja. “But, there’s a catch. If we attach ourselves to someone who’s not a part of this world, we’ll have to break all ties with our family. It’s the only way to ensure the safety of the girl’s future with her husband and children.”
“And that’s the reason you can’t marry a fucking banker or a postman,” Mikhail muttered in a serious tone.
Lilja stuck her tongue out at him. “I’m marrying the Rossi brothers!”
Mikhail sniggered. “Yeah, right! As if they’ll want to marry a brat like you.”
Lilja glared at him.
Yakim moved the cake and the bowl of remaining chocolate sauce out of Lilja’s reach before she could chuck them at Mikhail. I couldn’t help but smile at him. He was used to keeping the peace between them.
“What are you wearing to the ball?” I asked, hoping to distract Lilja. Mikhail could do without being stabbed a second time today.
“You want to see?” Lilja asked with a sudden smile. “My dress is already here.”
“I’d love to,” I replied.
“We should work on a dress for you too,” she said thoughtfully. “You’ll be accompanying my brothers, so you’ve got to dress to impress.”
“I still haven’t decided if she’s coming,” said Yakim.
“She’s coming,” said Leon. “We have to take the opportunity to declare her as ours so no one else makes the mistake of helping Callum again.”
“Are you worried about what others will say about your appearance?” Lilja asked in a grim tone. Her face was wiped off all humor.
“They’ll all be staring at me,” said Yakim, not meeting her eyes.
“Let them,” said Mikhail. “Who cares what they think or say?”
