Protective

Surrogate Family

Dmitri

"So you think this Yakov Zarkof can find out where Petyr is hiding?" I asked.

Yeremy had flown in just this morning and my father sent me to meet him at the airport. I would've complained that I wasn't a chauffeur but I kind of missed the kid.

It was amusing to see him so dressed up and giving out orders. It was only a few years ago when I was teaching him everything I knew.

He soaked it all up like a sponge which stung just a bit considering it took years for me to master everything. I never told him but he was a natural killer.

I didn't think he needed to hear that. I didn't think he wanted to. It was always very clear to me that Yeremy wanted to avenge his father not turn into one of us.

My father was a little less quick coming to that realization. He thought Yeremy might stay. I suppose he hoped he would.

He trusted him, which was rare for my father. As much I liked Yeremy I wasn't so quick to trust anyone outside of the family, no matter how small it had become.

"Not sure," he shrugged, "But I figured if he was gonna ask me a favor like that then he'd need to give me something in return. I couldn't think of anything else I wanted."

I glanced at him before returning my eyes back to the road. The only thing he wanted to do was to find Petyr Orlov? Why?

I knew he cared about us but this essentially wasn't his problem anymore. So why in a situation where he had a minister in his palm he used it for us?

Maybe he was more loyal than I thought.

"So you got my father to get back into selling drugs. You must be pleased with yourself."

He laughed, "It wasn't very hard. I think your father missed me."

"Of course he did," I smiled, "You're the only one that doesn't give him an immediate headache. Lana and I haven't been the easiest to deal with."

His shoulders tended a bit, "Lana. How is she doing with everything? With the change?"

I sighed, "She doesn't do anything but lock herself in her bedroom and sulk. Honestly I don't blame her."

"Neither do I," he said, "She's been through a lot."

"Yeah, well then I help the minister can be of service to us," I said, parking the car, "He's going to be really excited to see you."

_______
Petyr

"So you're telling me that this Maximoff kid is working with the Petrovs?"

"Yes," Yakov nodded, "He came into my office and asked for information on you in exchange for his help."

I smiled. The lengths this family was willing to go to keep my bride away from me was humorous. I didn't understand why they didn't understand just how inevitable it was.

I was going to marry Svetlana Petrov. Regardless of what her father, brother, or this Maximoff kid had to say about it.

I was going to wed her and bed her. The order of those events didn't matter to me in the slightest.

"Don't you think this is getting out of hand," Yakov asked, "I've see the photos of what that kid can do, brother. I don't want you on the receiving end of that."

"Relax, Yakov. I've seen the kid. He was the one that whisked her away from me a couple months ago," I held the phone closer to my ear, "I'll get my good friend Akio to handle him for me."

"Akio? He has been helping you for years and you've gotten absolutely no where," he sighed, "How do you know he isn't just using you to entice Mikhail?"

"I don't" I shrugged, "But he has kept me alive the entire time I've been in the States so that must count for something."

My brother had a point. It had been a little over three years now and I still haven't been able to collect my prize, but that was all coming to an end real soon.

I couldn't tell Yakov just yet, but Akio and I had a plan and as soon as all the pieces were in place, I'd claim my prize.

"Don't worry about me little brother," I shook my head, standing up from my seat, "You should be worried about what you're going to do once Yeremy realizes we're family."

He laughed, "There's no way he'd ever find that out. There is no paper trail of your adoption."

"Good," I smiled, "I'll call you in a few days time."

______
Lana

I was fully expecting to see Yeremy today. I had known he was coming for a couple of days now and I did the most rational thing anyone would do. I made plans to go to dinner with my father after he finished whatever he was doing with Yeremy.

It took some groveling but he finally agreed after buying out the restaurant ahead of time and placing to men to stake out the place before we arrived.

I planned on asking my father if I could return back to Icon. I was losing my mind in that house.

I told him I just needed to get out the house but I also wanted to see Yeremy for a few seconds. I wanted to see him and I wanted him to see me doing fine. Thriving even.

I didn't need him. I might have wanted him but I didn't need him.

The only thing I have ever needed was a designer wardrobe and diamonds—aside from family of course.

I wasn't overly dressed or anything when I knocked at his office door. I had dressed appropriately. I had dressed the same way I always did. I didn't want him to think I was trying too hard.

I sighed as I opened the door. Why do I even care what he thinks?

"Are you ready?" I smiled at my father, ensuring that I didn't even look in Yeremy's direction, but when I saw the startled look on my father's face, I frowned.

"You forgot."

I can't believe he forgot. He never forgets anything.

He shook his head, "I didn't forget, beloved—"

"Oh he absolutely forgot," Dmitri laughed, cutting him off, "We're still busy, little sister."

I sighed, before shutting the door behind me then turning to Yeremy and smiling.

It would be weird for me not to acknowledge him and I didn't want my father or Dmitri realizing something had happened. They might kill him.

He gave me an unsure smile back, as if he was trying to figure out what I was planning and rightfully so.

A few weeks ago, I might've just killed him myself.

He looked amazing. I don't know why I expected anything less. I was hoping for something a little more disheveled but instead he was there, head to toe in black, his hair near, and his pale brown eyes smiling.

Father stood up, "Just handle the rest of it," he buttoned his suit jacket and walked around his desk towards me, "Let's go."

Dmitri groaned, "Why don't we all go and we'll finish this tomorrow," he turned to Yeremy, "You can delay your return back another day, yes?"

Yeremy smiled, "Da."

No, no, no. Anything but this.

"Alright then," father put a hand on my shoulder to guide me out the door, "Let's all go."

Of course, I thought.

I had planned for a few seconds of a run in, not an entire dinner.

I didn't have the capacity to get through an entire dinner with Yeremy. Not with him looking like that.

- - End of Chapter - -