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ISABELLA
Genevra and I reach the closed door of my father’s office. “Is the plan still the same?” I whisper.
“Yes,” Genevra replies. “Just don’t act too quickly or let your father, James, Ivan, and Andrey goad you into losing your temper, sweet girl,” she warns me. “Remember, breathe through the emotions, and let it all just roll off you. You’re nearly free of this place.”
“What about you?” I ask, worried.
“I’ll be okay,” Genevra assures me. “Oh, and Isabella,” she glances at my belly, “Andrey’s not wrong. If you and he…” She swallows. “There’s a big possibility.”
“Great!” I say.
“Just listen to the advice, and trust the people saving you,” Genevra tells me before whispering, “We have other help for your father’s and Ivan’s men.”
I can’t ask her what she means because we arrive at the study. Genevra gives my hand a quick squeeze. “Good luck, sweet girl.” She knocks on the study door and calls. “Isabella’s here.”
The door swings open, and James ushers me in. “Come in, Isabella,” he says and looks at Genevra. “Thank you.” I see her nod and walk off.
“There she is, my baby girl.” My father smiles and walks up to me, pulling me into his arms for a hug. I stiffen, but he kisses my cheek. “I’m so happy about this, Isabella. You have made your father so proud.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him exactly what he can do with his praise and that I don’t give a shit if he’s proud or not. But Davey walks into our meeting briefly.
“Mr. Belov ordered apple juice for you.” Davey hands me the glass, nods, and leaves, pulling the door closed behind him.
“I think we all need a drink. My daughter gave me this premium vodka earlier,” Marco says, opening the bottle and pouring the four men a generous portion of a vodka shot. “To Isabella and Andrey.” He raises the glass, as do the other three.
“To Isabella and Andrey,” they chorus and down the drink alongside Andrey.
I raise my apple juice and have a sip.
“Welcome to the family, Isabella.” Ivan engulfs me in a bear hug. “We’ve waited a long time for this, and trust me, it’s just what both our families need right now.”
My brow creases at his words, but I don’t have time to ponder them as James hugs me. “Congratulations, cousin.” He glares at Andrey. “You’d better treat my cousin right. I’ll be watching you.”
“Oh, I don’t think you have to worry about Andrey treating me right,” I tell James, smiling as I watch all four men down another shot. Two down, one more to go. Before Andrey can retort, I say, “I’d like to make a toast.”
“Uh…” My father looks at me for a few seconds and is about to say something, so I remind him.
“It’s my birthday and wedding day. I can make a toast.” I raise my brows and look at Andrey. “Do you mind pouring all the men another shot?”
Andrey’s eyes narrow suspiciously, and he hesitates for a moment but pours another shot.
I raise my glass. “To my twenty-first,” I say and take a sip of my apple juice. The four men stare at me. “Well?” I snap. “Are you going to deprive me of a toast after what you’ve all done to me?”
“No!” James is the first to say and shoots the other three a warning glare. “To Isabella. Happy twenty-first, cuz.”
The four of them down their shots. I glance at the clock. It’s been ten minutes since I stepped in here. James has always been good to me, but he’s one hundred percent loyal to my father. I feel bad about what I’m doing to him—again.
“Isabella, talking about your…” I see my father pause and squeeze the bridge of his nose. But he pushes on. “I wanted to give you and Andrey the house…” He swallows and leans against his desk. “The house in the Hamptons.”
“That’s very gener…” Andrey starts saying and sways. “What the…”
I finish my apple juice and tilt my head as I watch the four giants around me start to sway, then fumble for a chair.
“Are you okay?” I ask innocently. “Maybe you’ve had too much to drink?“ I look at Andrey. He’s gripping the cabinet.
My father falls into his office chair. “What is going on here?” Ivan growls. “Why do I feel like…”
“Jelly?” I ask.
