Our Flame

LXIX

it's my birthday 😊
NADIA

"What now?" Ezra groans laying next to me. The past week this is how we've been woken up, the constant yelling of my brothers. I huff, throwing the blankets off me.

"What is it now?" I walk downstairs. When my brothers told me to lay low, I didn't think I'd have to move back in with them.

"Aleksi is leaving again."

I shrug, "Alek, wants a life where he isn't accused of horrible things. Can you blame him?" I look towards all of them.

I pull Aleksi to the side. "Why did you come back, you never told me?"

"Gianna, and my favorite sister." I softly smile at his response. "Are you two back together?" I wonder. I suddenly laugh at my own question, "She would never, you cheated." I continue to laugh.

Aleksi stares at me for a minute, "Aren't you going to prison?" He then laughs. I roll my eyes, "At least I have a partner, you were broken up with." I shrug.

"Soon to be a pen pal." Aleksi scoffs. "Are you both done?" Gianna comes around the corner. "Gigi are you trying to get back with my brother?"

Gianna shakes her head, "No Nadia. Alek and I are barely friends." She then walks away. My eyes widen, "Wow." I mumble.

"I came back because Gianna called. She told me you missed your favorite brother." He explains. I softly smile, "I did miss you Alek."

"I'd be wrong to ask you to stay. Instead, I'll tell you to continue enjoying the life you're making for yourself."

Aleksi sighs, bringing me into his arms. "Thank you, Nadi." He whispers. I pull away, shaking my head at the nickname. "Go, Alek. I'll handle them." I refer to our brothers.

He nods walking away. "You know.." He turns around, "You deserve to experience the world, Nadia. Not just murder and violence- but a peaceful life. It's yours, you just have to want it." Aleksi tells me.

I sigh, walking back towards my brothers. "You just let him leave." Luka exclaims. "Yes, Luka." I open the fridge. "He's building a life for himself. Mama would be proud."

"You guys can't force his forgiveness. I understand you guys were upset but you accused our brother of kidnapping me." I remind.

"Just give him time." I speak, before wrapping my arms around Nik. "And stop worrying." I say before leaving the room.

**

"Is everything alright?" Ezra questions. I nod, "Do you remember when we were at the beach in Australia?" Ezra hums in response.

"You said that after my father was gone you would give me everything." I remind. Ezra intertwines our hands, "I also said when my father was gone."

His father.

"Would your father ever frame you?" I wonder. Ezra sits up straighter at the question. "I mean you said you never had a good relationship with him, he did punch me."

"Fuck." Ezra mumbles. "I'm right about this?" My eyes widen. "If you are Nadia, things just got a lot worse." He kisses my forehead before grabbing his phone.