The Bratva King's Lost Bride

16 I'm Coming

Ivan POV

Watching my papa hug his first granddaughter has my heart squeezing in my chest. I'm not the only one that has missed out on seeing my daughter grow because of those two ba**ards. I smile when he stands with Ava in his arm and wraps his free arm around my wife. He whispers something in her ear, and she giggles, looking at me. I raise my eyebrows in question. Before I can ask what secrets my papa is sharing, the door to the place that I'm hoping will be our home some day opens.

I smile when Miram steps out. I watch her eyes move around the group until they land on my papa. I've known for a long time that she is in love with him, but she would never interfere in my parents' marriage. My father has never said it, but I think he feels the same way. I've caught him many times over the years staring at her with a longing look I recognize as one I've given my own wife. "Miram, come meet my daughter."

She smiles at me and moves to join the group. When she is close enough, I pull her under my arm. I was older when she came to care for Ivana, but she was just what an entitled preteen destined for leadership of our family needed. "Ava, can you say hello to your nana?" Miram head whips in my direction. "Ivan," she starts to say, but I cut her off. "You are as much her nana as he is her papa. You practically raised me and my brothers and sister. Say hello to granddaughter."

Tears edge her eyes as she turns back toward my daughter. "You are very pretty. Don't cry, nana," Ava says as she wiggles out of my father's hold. She rushes toward Miram and wraps herself around her. Miram bends down and wraps my daughter in her arms and whispers how much she loves her in Russian. "I love you too, nana. I love my new family," Ava says back in Russian. My father and Miram both look at me before they look at Meadow.

"I wanted her to know where she came from. To be connected to her papa's family. Ivana has taught us both, but she does better at speaking it," Meadow says. I can see my father is fighting the emotions we are all feeling. "Come, let's go inside. I've prepared us some lunch," Miram says. Alexi's eyes meet mine and I can tell, like me, he is burning to head to the holding cells. When we finally step inside, my father is eyeing us.

I avoid his gaze and look toward Meadow. "Malyshka, Alexi and I need to leave for a short time. I'm sure Ivana can give you a tour while I'm gone. I'm hoping you and I can share a private dinner later to talk some more." "Where are you going," she asks. "To attend to family business. Nothing for you to concern yourself with." "Ivan, your wife asked you a question and you are being vague. Family business includes her. She is family," my father says.

"Papa," I say his name is warning. "Miram, love will you take Ava and Ivana to the kitchen for lunch. I'll join you shortly," he says. Her eyes get big, but she quickly ushers Ava and Ivana toward the large kitchen. "Boy, you may be Pakhan, but I am still your papa. I know you are trying to protect your bride, but she isn't fragile. When she asks you a question, you answer it honestly. There should be no secrets between you. I'm not saying to give her the finer details unless she wants them. She is far stronger than you have given her credit for," he says.

My eyes move from him to Meadow, who is smiling. She is enjoying seeing my papa give me a dressing down. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. "Alexi and I are going to speak with Danica and Dimitri." "Why do I feel like speaking is code for something entirely different," she asks. "Meadow, do you really want to know how we plan to facilitate the conversation?" She is silent for a moment contemplating her answer.

"No, I don't." A feeling of relief washes over me. "I want to go with you," she says. I notice Alexi smiling out of the corner of my eye. "Meadow, I don't want you anywhere near those two. I don't think," I start to say, but she cuts me off this time. "You said I'm your queen. That you made mistakes by not listening to me. Was that a lie to get me here, Ivan?" "Of course not Meadow. I just know your heart, malyshka. You are not going to be able to watch what we do to get answers from traitors like them. Hell, they are worse than traitors. They hurt my wife."

"I might not be ready to see everything, Ivan, but I deserve the chance to say what is in my heart to the two people who hurt me. To let them know that, despite what they did, they didn't win. Our daughter is healthy and loved. She is here with her family where she belongs. To tell them that you and I are getting a second chance," she says. Warmth spreads through my chest hearing her say that. The fact she is here after all this time isn't anything short of a miracle.

"I will come with you Ivan. My strong beautiful daughter will be able to tell those two useless pr*cks they didn't win, and then I will bring her back here to get ready for dinner. Miram and I will keep Ava in our wing for the night to give you both time to talk," my papa says. Meadow nods her agreement. "Fine, but if, at any point when we get there, it's too much, you tell me or dad or Alexi. My papa is right. I don't want any secrets between us. I will listen this time, Meadow. I won't ignore your wants or concerns." She moves until she is standing in front of me. She pushes up on her toes and presses a kiss to my cheek.