Page 197 of Vexatious Queen

“Greetings, everyone,” Dad said in a booming voice.

Those milling around below quieted and looked up. I spotted Vadin right away, his eyes hard to read from so far, but his mouth was set in a grimace. Apparently, he didn’t like seeing us together like this.

“Thank you all for being here today to celebrate my birthday. The meal will be served shortly, if you can all make your way into the formal dining room.”

Vicky rolled her eyes at us as we walked down the stairs, and oddly, it felt right. She was behaving more like her normal self.

The table was larger than it had been at Thanksgiving, and I assumed that this was the full length. Despite the room’s obscene size, there was no additional space.

At the head of the table, I took my place in the empty chair to Eddie’s right. Nash was beside me, and then Liam, Theo, Ethan, Lip, Myles, and Blake. Vicky sat across from us, with Ronan beside her, then Romeo. Neither of the men who were supposed to be interested in her seemed like the marrying type. Romeo’s friend and bodyguard, Saul, was seated next to him, followed by Emmett, Bridget, Vadin, and Paul. Dimitri had been seated opposite Eddie, which I’m sure burned Vadin’s ass.

Before Eddie sat, he lifted a wine glass into the air.

“I would ask if anyone wants to make a toast, but considering our track record, I will simply say that I’m pleased to have you all join me today for my birthday celebration. I appreciate you making the time. Cheers.”

We clinked our glasses just as the servers walked in and began placing bowls of soup in front of us. It always amazed me how they not only had the meals ready, but also knew exactly when to serve and remove dishes. It was like a dance.

“So…brother,” Dimitri started. “I’m truly curious what has brought you all this way to America? And without any notice. I thought you would never leave that stuffy mansion back home?”

“As I mentioned before, I thought it was time that I got to know my granddaughter,” Vadin said, looking at me.

“You sure that is the only reason? You wouldn’t be running from anything, would you? We don’t need you bringing trouble to our doorstep, and I find it strange that you’ve chosen now to come here.”

“In our line of work, there is always someone chasing us. What other reason can you be referring to,” Vadin asked.

Nash tensed up beside me. He was focused on the conversation, not blinking or breathing like he’d taken a breath and refused to let it out.

“You’ve gone this long without taking any interest in Lilya. You could’ve made amends years ago. Mind you…you did force your only daughter to marry someone she hated and then ran her out of the country when she wouldn’t conform to your wishes,” Dimitri said, and my eyes went wide.

I thought it would be Eddie firing the shots, but Dimitri seemed all too eager to do the job for him.

Vadin smiled.

“How are things in California, brother? The last I heard, half of your family is not speaking to you. Or is that just a nasty rumor?”

“We are a large family with many opposing views and personalities. But we are Mikhailov first and foremost, and we will stand together always because we are loyal. Can you say the same?”

“Maybe we should have a round of toasts,” Emmett said.

He cleared his throat and lifted his glass, the sound soft but somehow enough to stop the brewing argument.

“I’m not great with speeches,” he said easily, glancing around the table. “And I won’t pretend to understand half the politics or expectations for the evening.” A faint smile tugged at his mouth. “But I do know why we’re here.”

Emmett looked toward Eddie, his tone steady.

“Birthdays aren’t about business or old grievances. They’re about the people who show up. The ones who sit at the table even when it’s uncomfortable.”

His gaze swept the room, not lingering on anyone long enough to feel pointed.

“Family isn’t always neat. Friends even less so. But if there’s one thing worth raising a glass to, it’s choosing to stay connected when it would be easier to walk away.”

He lifted his glass higher.

“To Edmundo. To another year. And to the hope that, whatever comes next, we face it together.”

“To Edmundo,” everyone said together.

The tension didn’t vanish, but it lessened enough to breathe again. I knew it wouldn’t last long, and it was only a matter of time before the next round started. It was as if we were sitting inside a gunpowder keg and the fuse had already been lit.