ROMEO - DEATH & MAYHEM a spectreverse short story [book R]

Chapter NINE

Lovey O'Riley

...six months later...

Anatoly stands rigid and uncomfortable at my side as we walk together up the footpath to my parents upstate lake house.. "Just relax, Babe, they're gonna adore ye' as much as I do.."

He scrunches up his nose in playful protest.. "So-not at all."

I laugh, shoving into his shoulder with my own and he catches me off balance, dipping me down into a kiss.. "Ye' know how I feel, Tolya.. I treasure you, My Sweet Prince.."

He pulls me closer, winding his strong arms around my waist.. "Lovey, I'd do anything you asked ov' me- but thiz.." He nods towards the looming door of my parent's home.. "Don't you think it iz too soon.. I only just got Stori on board, I doubt your father will accept any of.l thiz so easily.."

"Trust me, Baby.." I nudge him gently.. "I know how to deal with my Da'.."

"How?" He frowns..

"Easy!" I giggle with the toss of my flowing ruby curls.. "All ye' gotta do is win over Frankie! Whatever makes Mah' happy is River's kryptonite, I swear.."

"Mamushkas do not typically love me.." He grumbles as I reach up to brush his hair back out of his honey-whiskey eyes..

"Well- I love you, Anatoly, and that is all that matters.."

"Moya Kroshka-" His eyes glow in appreciation at my open affection.. I had been trying to keep myself from letting those three sacred words slip, but the truth is that I really do love him.. I have for weeks now and especially today, watching him stress and fret over my father's approval has only made me realise just how much he cares about our future.. The future we will build together.. He grins, gorgeous and gleaming before he leans down to scoop me up in a tight bear hug, nuzzling his warm lips against the side of my throat.. "Ya tozhe tebya lyublyu!"

I laugh merrily and he confesses his returned devotion while he spins me around, but my joy is cut short by the fling of the front door flying open to reveal River O'Riley in all his disapproving agitation.. "What do ye' call this then?"

Anatoly stiffens with nervous energy as he sets me gently back on my feet before I clear my throat and twirl around in front of him to face the music.. "Dah', this is Anatoly Ivanov... My boyfriend.."

"Yeh Lucky and Konstantin's kid, huh?" River scoffs and Tolya nods, stepping forward to hold out his hand, formal and stiff..

"Da.. Pleazure to meet you, sir.."

"I was sorry to 'ere about ye' Mah', she was a sweet lass.." River nods his head, his eyes critical and his tone tough.. "I never met yer' Dah', but from what I've been told he was a man to be respected.."

"Spasibo.." Anatoly inclines his head politely but the tension in his jaw telegraphs his discomfort at the sensitive subject..

I know how much he misses his parents and how difficult it is for him to discuss his loss, so in an effort to steer the conversion in a new direction, I pipe up.. "Frankie suggested that I invite Anatoly to join us for dinner tonight, she said she'd make my favourite, Peking duck!"

"O"Aye? Did she now?" River tosses a glare at me, clearly annoyed that I had told mom about my boyfriend and not him.. Though to be fair, Dad has never once liked one of my boyfriends, he really should have expected my secrecy given his past prejudices.. "So how long's this been goin' on, eh?"

"A while.. We were going to tell you sooner but-" I shuffle from side to side and Anatoly notices my squirming, stepping up to take my hand, linking his fingers through mine for support..

If he is scared of my father, he doesn't let it show..

"But I had to know The Brotherhood would honour our union, Sir.. It iz my fault Lovey kept it a secret.. I wanted The Pakhan to ensure her safety and the sanctity of our deal.."

"O'Aye.." Dad hums doubtfully "Rite.. And did Stori Petrovich give ye' his blessin'?"

"He agreed it waz acceptable, Sir, with your permission, ov' course.." Anatoly is respectful and earnest as he faces down the Dragon and I could just kiss him for it.. My father would never approve of any man without a spine and right now The Russian Prince is proving his backbone is made of steel..

Before the interrogation can continue, a flutter of red silk and black l hair interrupts as Frankie appears behind River to rescue us from the fire breather.. "Lovey's here! And you've brought a date! Ooh, who is this handsome young man?"

River rolls his eyes as Frankie races outside to greet us, complete disregarding my dad's bad mood and undermining his intimidaton tactics..

"Frankie, this is Anatoly.." Introducing my stepmother is much easier, her open nature and gentle manner make her the perfect buffer between the two men..

"Oh, Anatoly! How lovely to meet you!" Frankie swoons, greeting the Russian giant with an excited flurry of flapping hands..

Bowing his head The Prince offers my stepmom a charming smile, the very same charming grin that had won me over months ago.. "Pleaze mam', you may call me Tolya.."

"Oh, aren't you darling!" Reaching out my stepmother grabs him by the hands to pull him towards the entry, chirping sweet welcomes.. "Come in! Come in! Are you hungry, Tolya? Do you eat Běijīng Kǎoyā?"

"I'm not fussy.. I'll eat whatever you put in front of me, mam'.." He grins over his shoulder at me before Frankie drags him through the door, leaving me alone with my father..

River scowls down at me with a formidable growl.. "I don'nae trust him-"

"O'course, ye' don'ae even know him, Dah'.." I chuckle, unrelenting in my determination to have my way..

He clicks his tongue in disappointment, but his eyes soften.. "Lovey-Dove, yeh' can do better'n some Bratva kick-about Brigadier.."

"But he's so good to me.." I reason, wishing that he would just give Tolya a chance to prove himself worthy in every way.. "And ye' always said I could have anything I wanted.."

He scoffs at my argument.. "Aye, Princess, but I did'nae mean for ye' to want summit stupid like him-"

"I love him, Dad.. Can't ye' give him a chance? For me?"

River scrubs a hand down his face.. "Yer' damn near impossible to please, Princess.. Do ye' really think this laddie's got what it takes to keep ye' happy?"

A victorious smile brightens my face.. "Aye, I really do.."

"Alrite'.." He sighs in reluctant concession.. "But if the kid breaks yer' wee heart, I'll away with the Russiky bastard, ya hear?"

I laugh, climbing the stair and flinging my arms around my father's neck to hug him tight.. "If he breaks my heart, Dah', I'll kill him me'self."

"You girls'll be the death of me.." My dad chuckles, embracing me in return with a warm pet on my back.. "It's a good thing yeh' sister is away at SERE school, or I'm sure I'd have two lowlife lads to keep me eyes on.."