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The plane ride back home felt tense, everyone was back together again but I don't think we've ever felt further apart. I stroked gators head as he laid sleeping in my lap. The motion helped to calm my nerves. Most were asleep already, Ana and Nikita were laying their heads together in the back seats next to a snoring Carmen and Cato. The men all gathered in the front of the plane going over files.

I didn't have the energy to find out what it was. I looked to my right seeing the empty seat and feeling my eyes begin to well. Vitaly had taken care of Evie, he had her body shipped back to New Orleans so we could have a proper funeral. Closed casket but a funeral none the less, she deserves that..she deserves so much more.

Nikolai won't talk to anyone but he also won't leave my side. Just like Vitaly the two of them stick to me like glue. Everyone has been treating me like I'm fragile making me want to scream. We all went through something traumatic, lost a member of our family. We're all fucked right now and I don't want to be babied because of it.

I looked back to the men to see Vitaly staring at me. He clapped Ivan on the shoulder and came to sit in the empty seat next to me. "How are you feeling love?"

I shrugged my shoulders "I've been better"

He nodded his head in reply, reaching over to gently rub on gators back. "The funeral arrangements have been made...it will be this weekend. Seeing as it will be Monday you have a week to prepare. Will that be enough time?"

I nodded my head, in reality no amount of time could prepare you to bury your best friend. "I'll be fine Vitaly...how long before were home?"

"We land in 2 hours, the house will be crazy people will be in and out..security will be high...it's going to feel tight for awhile."

I figured as much, things with the Volkov family were tense. Some members of the extended family weren't happy with the three's behavior.

"I understand I need the rest anyway, the baby comes in 2 months. We still haven't gotten anything ready...we haven't been in one place long enough to."

I felt the tears again I was so tired of crying. I felt Vitaly's large rough palm touch my face making me look at him. "We are not going anywhere again. I promised you we were going home. I will make sure you and the baby are safe. As for things getting ready...just wait till we get home."

I smiled turning my face and placing a kiss to his palm. He's tried so hard to make everything right for me, for the baby, for the family. He deserves so much more than he's given.

"Go back to your men I'm fine." He gently pats my cheek before going back to the men and right back to business.

-
"Little Red...Scar...SCARLET!"

I shot up from my seat but was met with a strong arm to the tits. I took a minute to get my bearings and realized we were no longer in the plane but in the back of a SUV and in the driveway of the Volkov mansion.

"Who the hell moved me from the plane?"

Vitaly laughed and pointed to the front where Ivan was sitting and snickering. "It took both of us but we got you out."

I playfully slapped his chest and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. Ivan got out and opened my door up for me, holding out his hand I placed mine into his and got out stretching my legs. Vitaly as always followed close behind.

Everyone was already out front unloading bags from the car. There were no workers present. Vitaly must have seen the confused look on my face. "It was too much risk...I needed people I could trust so I let them go. Only the family and extremely vetted security are allowed in."

I nodded my head when a flurry of blonde hair came barreling at me. I braved myself for the impact but it never came. I peeled open my eyes to see Nikolai holding back Nikita who was fighting to get free.

"I want to hug my future sister in law you dipshit let me go!"

"Watch how fast you were going you could have knocked her over."

Nikita rolled her eyes, Nikolai finally released her and we embraced in a bear hug I didn't know I needed. I held tight to Nikita burying my face in her neck. "I'm so fucking happy to be home."

"God me too, promise me we never have to leave again!"

We laughed and backed away from each other. I hugged everyone else and wrapped my arm around Anas waist while she led me into the house. Everything looked the same but different at the same time. It was empty now but I knew it would be full of people before we knew it.

"It's bittersweet being back. I first met you right there in that kitchen. Feels like a decade ago."

I nodded and glanced around the vast house. "I didn't realize at the time that any of you would mean so much to me."

Ana places a hand on my belly and gently begins to rub it with her thumb. "It's us who didn't realize you would mean so much to us....you brought us light Scar."

Yeah In a way, I guess I did.

-

It's the morning of the funeral and I haven't moved from my spot on the bed. I picked a dress earlier on in the week. A black dress with sheer sleeves cuffed at the wrists. It's something Evie would have worn. The knock on the bedroom door made me jump but I called for them to come in anyway.

Nikolai poked his head in first before fully coming inside. He looked handsome in a full black suit with a sage green tie, Evie's favorite color.

"You look beautiful Scar."

"I don't feel beautiful. My belly feels like it's going to rip the dress in half."

Nikolai chuckled...he actually chuckled after what feels like forever I smiled at him. "Please the belly makes the dress...are you ready? Vitaly is waiting downstairs briefing the security team."

Reluctantly I followed Nikolai down the stairs where Vitaly wore and equally handsome suit. I immediately wrapped my arms around him and held tight. I needed to feel anchored right now.

"Everything is set love...lets go"

-

The funeral was morbidly beautiful, such a sad occasion the loss of a loved one. The flowers Nikita picked were stunning and the casket a deep mahogany with gold roses all around. The music was perfect everything Evie would have wanted.

I was home now pacing back and forth down the hall. Everyone was in the kitchen eating from the spread Ana laid out for everyone. I just needed some time to myself. I could hear my phone ringing from inside Vitaly and I's bedroom. Rushing inside I picked it up, a local number but one I didn't know.

"Hello?"

"Hello Scarlet."

I froze pulling the phone from my ear and looking at it like I just saw a ghost. What could she possibly want? Today of all days.

"Anya."

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