1.2 | The Prince of Thieves

Chapter 34

Vera and Anna had suggested taking Hana on a girls day out. Just as well, his father had said. Leon and the boys were required in the study to discuss the plans for the year. It would be a long, exhausting day. There she'd be, capering around St Petersburg while he'd be holed up in the study, poring over documents and squeezing his brains out. But Hana had gotten closer to his family; of that he was proud of.

The group of them stood on the landing, chatting idly, waiting for Vera to assemble herself. He was only using his sister as an excuse to delay seeing Hana off for the day. His sister was unobservant of the time when it came to the careful matching of her outfits. Leon had learnt not to rush his sister; it would only frustrate her, which meant she would take even longer and they would leave even later. Instead, his trick was to give her a time half an hour before they would actually leave to ensure they arrived wherever punctually. This was a ploy that he knew Anton used as well. But even so, it seemed that they were early. Anton had offered them an apologetic smile as he leant against a banister to wait.

Hana had on her beige coat and his red scarf, looking endearing all muffled up. Why did she always have to take his things? he wondered. He didn't go poking around her things to borrow a sweater or a shirt, only to return them when he had forgotten about them. He clasped her to him anyway, oblivious to how Mosay averted his gaze. He had lingered behind to see them off as well.

'I'll miss you.' He nuzzled his face into her neck and bit playfully at her skin.

She let out a muffled squeal as she squirmed, a minor protest leaving her lips. Her arms went around his sides anyway and he felt her hands comfortingly patting his back. They remained as they were, with him immersing himself in her scent and she running her hands gently from his head to his neck and to his back. She bore a faint smell of roses – the scent of the soap provided in their bathroom – an interesting change from the one she usually used because this intoxicated him for some reason. At the same time, it also made him want to find who it was who stocked their bathroom. The theme of every single thing in their rooms – gift or not – appeared to lead to one singular goal.

'I'll think of you,' he murmured.

'You have to focus on your work.' She had tilted her head back to peer at him, one hand tugging her – his – scarf down so she could speak. 'Conquer some gangs, build some buildings, sell some weapons...'

'Mm.' He made a face. 'Anything else?'

'What else do you do?'

His lips spread into a grin, and his eyes danced with mischief.

'Cavort.'

'Hmm?' Her eyes widened at the unfamiliar word. Oh, was she adorable. And he was taking advantage of her for it.

'S moyey voshkhititel'noy zhenoy. Nayedine.'

There was a lengthy sigh from Mosay somewhere behind them. Anton was typing into his phone with a concentrated frown, oblivious to the going-ons.

'Ili gde-nibud' yeshche,' Leon added smugly, after a glance at his brother.

Then Mosay snapped to attention, standing very straight and very stiff, his chin tilted up, his face adamantly refusing to turn in his brother's direction.

'I'll let otets know that the both of you will be there soon,' he announced then stalked off, leaving Anton looking up in confusion at his sudden departure.

'What did you say?' She followed Mosay's retreating back with a bewildered expression.

'I said,' he translated, his voice dropping to a low beside her ear, 'Enthusiastically make love to my delectable wife, in private or anywhere else.'