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I breathe slowly and silently promise to never repeat his sins. “I will always treat you with respect, Lina.” I feel her gaze on the side of my face. “You never have to fear me.”
“I know.” Her hand covers mine. “You are a ball of contradictions, but I know you will always treat me with kindness.”
“Good. That’s important.” The old anger slowly recedes, and I glance over when it feels like it’s returned to the lockbox. “Would you like to have children someday?”
“Children?”
“Yes. Small humans that look like us.”
“I haven’t given it much thought. Two weeks ago, I was thinking about joining a book club, not a mom’s group.” She stops and looks up. “Do you want kids?”
“I could see having them with you.” A blast of salty ocean air coasts across my face bringing with it a picture of Lina with our child. It cracks something open as an emotion I can’t name fills my chest.
“Why?” She begins walking again. “Despite all the questions we’ve been asking one another, we have a lot to discover. What makes you think I would be fit for the job?”
“I know that you are kind.” I pull her close and listen to the seagulls caw at one another. “You have innate goodness, and any child of mine will need as much of that as possible.”
“Why would you trust me with a child if you won’t trust me with your car?”
Unsurprised the car subject has returned, I let out a patient breath. “There are only three 1967 Shelby Mustangs in existence. Children are much easier to produce.” Her beautiful eyes grow large before she laughs loud enough to scare the seagulls scratching around for snacks. “I’m just being practical.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Yuri.”
“Should we grab some dinner now that the family planning is out of the way?” Her smile falters. “What?”
“Do you think I will live long enough to become a mother?”
“Yes. One thousand percent, yes.” I look down and hate the uncertainty in her eyes. “I will stand between you and anyone that threatens you.”
“As long as your car isn’t in the way.”
“This car thing is never going away, is it?”
“Sure it will.” She smiles. “When the will is settled, and I’m rolling in dough, I will find those other Mustangs and buy them. And then I’ll ask Dmitri or Fedor to teach me how to drive…all while you are stuck on the sideline.”
“I respect your ability to hatch evil plans so quickly.” I kiss her nose, “But it will never happen.”
“If that’s the lie you need to tell yourself.” She gives me a pitying glance. “Maybe, I’ll embroider a special handkerchief so you can wipe your tears when you see me flying past in my Mustang…whatever.”
“No flying.”
“Oh, husband, I’m gonna touch the stars.”
She lets go of my hand and saunters ahead, rolling her hips in a mesmerizing rhythm. “And I will be right there by your side.”
***
“You fucked up date night with my wife.” I roll the body over with my foot, shake my head, and call Anton. Tapping my foot impatiently, I wait for the call to be answered.
“Whatcha need boss?”
“Clean up on Concord Ave. Second dumpster in the third ally.”
“Got it.”
“A man should be able to go out with his wife in peace, don’t you think?”
“Yeah. Absolutely.”
