The Bratva King's Lost Bride

14 Castle

Meadow POV

"Malyshka, we are home," Ivan says. My eyes flutter open, and meet his icy blue ones. "Why is it so quiet? Where's Ava," I ask, starting to sit up. "Alexi and Ivana took her to the car. She was quite intent on waking you by pulling on your eyelids. She and Ivana were also giggling about you drooling while you sleep," he says as he reaches out and wipes my chin. I slap at his hand, glaring at him. "I do not drool," I say, quickly wiping my mouth. "Malyshka, you forget I had the distinct pleasure of holding you in my arms every night before I lost you," he says.

All the teasing fades from his eyes. Before I can think better of it, I reach up and cup his cheeks in my hands. He leans in to my touch. "We both made mistakes, but we can't keep dwelling on it if we want to move forward Ivan. I may not be ready to jump in with both feet yet, but I will do my best not to punish you for the mistakes of the past. You need to do the same."

His hand moves to mine and he kisses my palm. "I love you, Meadow. I am so grateful you are giving me this chance. I promise you that you will never regret it," he says. He presses a kiss on my forehead before helping me to stand. He leads me down the aisle of the plane before grabbing a heavy coat to wrap around my shoulders. I never thought I would be back in this country or still married to Ivan, but here I am. When I step out, the snow and cold whips around me. It is a far cry from the warmth of my small town. Ivan wraps his arm around me as we make our way down the steps.

He ushers me into the waiting SUV. I smile when Ava is practically bouncing in her booster seat in a pink fur coat. "Mama, look at my coat. Auntie said she picked it out for me," she practically squeals. "Auntie Ivy has very good taste. You look like a Russian princess."

"Uncle says we are going to a castle like in my books," she says. I look at Alexi. "We are. I always thought my grandparents' home was a castle when I was a small child. It's a huge stone mansion that has towers where Ivana used to rule over her stuffed animals," he says. I smile because I could see my best friend doing just that. My daughter comes honestly by her obsession with stuffed animals. My mind goes to Zahkar and how excited he must be to meet Ava.

"I know I said I wouldn't stay in your father's home, Ivan, but if you wanted to visit him before the wedding," I start to say, but he cuts me off. "We won't be returning to my father's mansion, Maylshka. In fact, my father has decided to give my mother the house and return with us to his father's home. It has several wings. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I didn't think you would mind. He assures me he has never been unkind to you," he whispers. My heart starts to race.

"Meadow, breathe," he whispers while Ivana keeps Ava occupied. "Is he lying to me, Meadow? Has my father been cruel to you," he asks through gritted teeth. "No, absolutely not. He was always kind to me, but we never spent much time. Ivan, what do you mean he is going to give her the house? Is something happening between your parents because of me?" A smile spreads across his face, and he presses another kiss to my forehead.

"Meadow, my father's choices are his own when it comes to Alexandria. He knows where I stand when it comes to his wife," he says. "Ivan, she is your mother. I don't want to be the reason." "You and my daughter will not be exposed to a woman that doesn't welcome you both with open arms. I can promise you that I am losing nothing by keeping my distance from the woman who was simply my incubator," he says.

I decide to talk to him later when little ears aren't around. I need to make sure he isn't doing this for my benefit. I knew she never liked me, but she was never cruel or threatening. I couldn't imagine Ava cutting me out of her life and I don't want to be the reason he does that to Alexandria.

Twenty minutes later, we approach an iron gate that has the Petrov emblem that I recognize from the tattoo that Ivan has on his chest. The gate opens and three SUVs, including ours, pass through before it closes behind us. I swear we drive another five minutes down a winding driveway before what can only be described as a castle comes into view. "Holy sh*t." "Mama, you said a bad word," Ava says with a giggle. "Told you so. Our grandfather thought he was a king," Alexi says.

"He was the King of the Petrov Bratva. If he wasn't such a ba**ard to our grandmother, I'd respect his vision more," Ivan says. I elbow him when Ava giggles again. "Papa, you said a bad word," Ava says. "I did princess. I will do better. Are you ready to see your castle," Ivan asks, as the car comes to a stop.

"You said this wasn't as big as your father's mansion," I hiss at Ivan as Alexi lifts Ava out of the SUV. "I meant our wing isn't as big as his mansion," he says with a knowing smirk. He gets out before offering me his hand. When I step out, Ivan steadies me. The huge wooden doors open and my father-in-law steps out. Ivan may be more muscular, but he is the spitting image of his father. It's a glimpse of my husband in twenty years if we are able to work through our issues and I won't be disappointed.

I giggle to myself and Ivan eyes me. Before he can ask me anything, Zakhar stalks towards us. I expect him to pull his son in for a hug, but instead he pulls me into his arms. "My beautiful daughter, I have missed you. I'm so happy you have given my oaf of a son a chance to make amends for being oblivious to the f**kery of those two a**holes," he says and I giggle. "You said a bad word," Ava whispers from behind Ivan's leg.

Zakhar's eyes close and open before he presses a kiss on my forehead. "Thank you for making me a dedushka, Meadow," he says. He releases his hold on me and crouches down. "Hello little one. I am your dedushka. I am your papa's papa," he says. Ava looks toward me and I nod, fighting tears. Ava steps out from behind Ivan and launches herself at Zakhar, who wraps her in his protective embrace. If my conversation with Ivan on the plane didn't convince me that I made the right choice, this moment would have.