America's Princess (Random Updates)

Chapter 19

"Maxie," Olivia squealed in excitement as Max came rushing over to her once she stepped off the back porch into the yard. He barked as she sat on the grass and wrapped her arms around his neck. Max laid his head on her shoulder, and she laughed as she watched his whole butt wiggle in happiness instead of just his tail.

"Here, let's go check out that guest house," Kota said holding out Max's leash for her to take.

"It's okay?" she asked softly. "I know he's yours."

Kota laughed, "I promise it's fine."

"Thank you," she stood and hugged him for a quick second then crouched to attach the leash to Max's harness that Nathan had slipped on him while she was talking to Kota. Max looked up at her and she smiled, "Let's go."

"Easy Max," Kota commanded and Max sneezed on him making her giggle.

"I guess he already knew that," she smirked while Kota just shook his head.

"Guess so."

"This way, Kotenok," Raven smirked as he took a couple of steps in front of her.

As they walked, she noticed that Max never left her side or pulled. She was very grateful for it since her body was still sore. She patted his head as a soft smile crossed her lips. She looked back to Raven and tensed slightly when she noticed a man in black jeans and a black shirt approaching them followed by two more behind him.

The man in front was covered in tattoos, he had more than North but not as many as Raven. He barely glanced at Olivia and stopped walking, causing the other two to stop as well. He nodded at Raven who nodded back before turning to face Olivia.

Picture found on Pinterest

"Kotenok, come here please," he spoke gently as he held out his hand.

"Yevgeny?" she asked nervously as she came up beside him. The man's eyes widened in shock before he masked his emotions again. Raven kissed the top of her head and placed his hand on her hip. "This cousin Vladimir," he pointed. "He Father best man."

"Like Vladimir Tepes?" She asked in awe then blushed, "Sorry."

Vladimir smirked and nodded, "Da." His voice was as deep as Raven's but a little less husky. "Name after Dracula."

"But he was just protecting his country," she said confused, "he was doing what he needed to protect his people. And a lot of those he punished were thieves and it's widely documented how much he despised stealing. He spoke many languages and was just trying to make his country independent, so it didn't have to depend on the surrounding countries anymore. Besides we all know how people like to be dramatic so it's well known that his enemies would purposely portray him as demonic as they could," she rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Besides Dracul literally means dragon and everyone knows how possessive dragons are so it's no surprise he would do whatever he deemed necessary to protect his people. Granted he shouldn't have let his rage and hatred be unleashed on women and children, but it is what it is. At least he didn't attack his own men like Gustav I of Sweden did in 1541. Vladimir was for justice and his people, his country. He was just misunderstood and a man before his time," She realized that she was rambling and froze, "I mean...um..."

Raven finished translating and chuckled, "Sure nyet Russian, Kotenok? Speak like true Russian."

She blushed and dropped her head to look at her shoes. "I um, like to read and I wanted to know just how dramatic Bram Stoker was as he created his character. When I learned he based him off an actual ruler, I wanted to know more and yeah, fell down a rabbit hole..."

Raven took her hands to stop her from nervously twisting the bottom of his shirt and intertwined their fingers. "Vladimir appreciate you know truth." She looked up and Vladimir nodded. Raven used his free hand and pointed to the man on her right behind Vladimir, "that Vlad's right-hand man Egor, and that," he pointed the other man, "his third in line, Lev. They find men scare you last time you here bring them to Father so he get you justice."

She looked at them with widened eyes, "you were the ones..." she gulped as tears formed and she swallowed, "you...spasibo, spasibo."

"Da," Vladimir nodded as did the other two. "Family protect family."

"Family?" she whispered as the tears finally slipped, "not all family..."

Raven wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him, making her drop the least and clutch the back of his shirt. "Just say Kitten, we handle it."

Just then a loud deep growl filled the air. Men started yelling in Russian and she lifted her head from Raven's chest to see a large solid black dog running straight towards her and Raven.

(Pictures found on Google)

"Shit," many of the men said at once.

Despite Raven having a hold on her, she refused to get behind him. "Look at you pretty puppy," she cooed as the massive dog came right up to her then stopped.

"What the..." Vladimir watched in amazement.

"What?" Raven asked and Vladimir started talking to him Russian. She held her hand out and waited patiently. The dog sniffed her hand then jumped on her, making her gasp as she fell backwards. "Kitten!"

"Livy Baby!" North shouted as he rushed over to where she was. "Move Dog! Livy Baby?" he asked, confused, as her laughter reached his ears.

"I'm okay North," she said as she gently pushed on the dog, and he backed up. Once she was sitting, he sat beside her. "What did Vlad say, Yevgeny?"

"He say Cane Corso new, he keep attacking biting men. He escape lots, nyet listen men, very vicious. Cousin confuse he so different to you, Kitten."

"Oh, do you just not like men?" she cooed as she ran her fingers over his solid black face and ears. "Does Yevgeny's father need to find you a female trainer?"

"Nyet."

She looked up shocked hearing Nikolai's voice. She saw him walking towards them and quickly stood. "Mr. Ravenstahl..."

"Father," Nikolai chuckled as he approached. "Please."

"Father," she corrected.

"Good, he yours."

"What?" she gasped. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Dogs good support protection," he shrugged, "was going let you choose after trained but seem he claim you. He yours."

Nikolai turned and walked back towards his house. She looked at the group then back at Raven, "what?"