Deadly Alliances

Chapter 17: Kids

Song: Like This - NF

*Juliette's POV*

A lot of people stereotype Russians as angry, irrational psychopaths. A lot of people have never met a Russian as happy as my grandfather. But even he had a dark side.

"Juliette, tell me where your scumbag husband is or I'll find him," Ded added, putting a toothpick in his mouth.

I sighed and opened the door to point at Flynn, who was now standing and telling his siblings to go somewhere.

"You don't have to go to your room, but you can't stay here," Flynn told them.

Niall, Ivy, and Sage scattered into different rooms while Flynn hurried to the door to greet my Grandad.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Flynn Collins -- Juliette's husband."

"I'm her grandfather, Nikolai Ivanov."

Flynn extended his hand good-heartedly, but Ded looked at his hand like it disgusted him.

I glared at Ded. "Shake. His. Hand."

Ded immediately shook Flynn's hand and looked at me fearfully. "Good to meet you, kid."

Flynn looked at me, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Ded, let's sit down and talk. We can catch up," I said, tugging both of them to sit on the couch.

I sat next to Flynn with Grandad across from us. I waited patiently for them to start talking to each other, but neither of them did.

"One of you needs to start talking," I sang and crushed my hands under my thighs.

"Fine," Ded grumbled. "What are your intentions with my Granddaughter?"

I rolled my eyes at the typical question. Flynn looked at me, a slight frown making way on his face. I flared my eyes at him to go along with it because Ded didn't know that this was a marriage of pure convenience and not love.

Flynn turned back towards Ded and smiled once again. "I just want her to be happy." To seal the deal, he took my hand and placed a kiss on it before placing our hands in my lap.

Ded looked at me curiously. "Does he make you happy? Are you happy?"

I nodded and grinned while kicking my feet. That ice cream surely gave me too much energy to handle.

Ded gave a satisfied hum. "Juliette, why don't you get us some drinks while we talk for a minute?"

"What do you want to drink?" I asked Flynn.

"Bourbon."

I went to the kitchen, fixed the drinks, and when I came back, laughter filled the room. Flynn spoke while grinning brightly, showcasing all of his beautiful, white teeth. Ded was doing most of the laughing.

"What happened in here?" I asked playfully. "You wouldn't even speak to each other five minutes ago!"

I placed Ded's vodka and Flynn's bourbon on the table. The room was dark, the only lights coming from the kitchen. I laughed at the two of them until I became consciously aware of the huge bruise forming on my face. I'd intended to leave as soon as I could so that Ded wouldn't notice.

"I think I like this kid," Grandad chuckled. "He's really funny, you know."

I nodded and agreed as I sat next to Flynn. Their voices eventually became one and mixed into an inaudible noise. The buzzing of the air conditioning seemed louder than them.

Flynn reconnected his hand with mine. I tenderly traced my finger along the vein on the inside of his arm. I tried my best to keep my eyes open while pretending to listen to what Ded was saying.