In the Beginning (Volkov Bratva #1)(48)

“And that is why you feel this...guilt, because you don’t remember your father.”

When he said the words that had plagued her over the years, she nodded. “I wish I could.” And no matter how hard she tried to bring that night to the forefront of her mind, it slipped farther away.

Mishca shifted so they were now facing each other. “What do you remember about him?”

She looked back at the picture, smiling wistfully. “I remember he loved me more than anything in the world.”

“Then that is all that matters,” he told her gently. “I know what it’s like to lose a loved one, moy dorogoy, and sometimes only having a faint memory of them is what’s best.”

“Who did you lose?” She asked carefully.

“My mother.”

“I’m sorry,” she said in return.

He kissed her forehead, resting his head back against the headboard as he stared up at the ceiling. “She taught me that life was cruel, but to be strong and persevere. No matter how bad it seems at the time, learn from it.”

Lauren sat up, sensing the sadness overtaking him. Taking a page from his book, she held out her hand to him. A lazy smiled curled his lips as he intertwined their fingers, kissing the back of her hand as he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap. He brushed her hair back, swiping his thumb beneath her eyes to wipe away the tears there. Cupping his hand, she leaned forward, pressing her mouth to his, trying to convey her feelings in this one simple act.

He took over, controlling the kiss as he always did. His tongue swept out, twining with hers. She pressed closer to him, moaning into his mouth as his hand slipped lower, pulling her flush against him.

After a few more moments, he pulled back slightly, whispering, “I have an idea.”

If it meant them leaving this spot, she wasn’t sure she was up for it. “What?”

Mishca sat her to the side, grabbing his phone, leaving Lauren confused as he left her bedroom. Lauren stared in bemusement at his back, wondering what he was planning. She couldn’t hear the conversation he was having on the phone, but as he reentered her bedroom looking triumphant, she looked at him expectantly for an explanation.

He grinned at the expression on her face. “It’s a surprise. Get up and dress warm.” With that, he winked and left the room.

Going over the possibilities in her head, Lauren grabbed a pair of jeans, tank, and her favorite fuzzy green sweater, changing quickly. She tugged on a pair of heavy boots, grabbed her coat and scarf, joining Mishca in the living room before heading out the door.

Freezing wind blew in the night, stinging Lauren’s face. Snow flurries fell gently to the ground, plump gray clouds scattered along the night sky. Mishca pressed a button on his key ring, unlocking the Range Rover parked a few blocks down. Cars along the street were covered in snow, a pathway made between them from a snow plower.

“Where’s Vlad?” Lauren asked as she climbed into the passenger seat, rubbing her hands together.

“I gave him the night off.” He pushed the button to start the car, twisting a few knobs to turn the heat up to full blast.

They pulled out onto the nearly deserted street, starting towards the city. It was nearing ten o’ clock on a Tuesday night, and because of the snow, the traffic was minimal.

Mishca parked near 59th and 6th Avenue, close to Central Park Zoo. He hopped out, hurrying around to her side to open the door. She took his hand, hopping down, nearly falling over as she slipped on the ice. Mishca grinned, holding her steady. It was too late at night for them to go to the zoo, Lauren knew that, but what did he have planned?

“Mish, what are we doing here?” She asked taking his hand.

“We’re almost there.”

He led her across the sidewalk, towards the stairs. Snow completely covered the once vibrant green grass hidden beneath. Frozen water stuck to the barren tress, forming intricate shapes of icicles that gleamed like crystals.

The closer they got to the bottom level, the brighter the halogen lights appeared, shining down on the--

“Wow,” Lauren said, “an ice rink.”

He seemed proud of his choice. “It is nice, yes? Have you ever been ice skating?”

“I’ve never skated period.”

“Then we will learn together. I’ll grab the skates if you’ll to wait here.”

From a booth near the entrance to the rink, Mishca rented them both a set of skates, and Lauren sat on the benches, gazing out at the other skaters. There was a family of four along the East wall, the husbands teaching their daughters how to skate. The youngest of the two fell, landing on the ice pretty hard, but she didn’t cry, instead brushing her pants off and starting again.

“Don’t worry,” Mishca said rejoining her. “I’ll only let you fall twice.”

Lauren untied her shoestrings, pulling off her boots. “Hopefully you won’t fall with me.”

He chuckled and when they both had on their skates, he helped her onto the ice. Holding on tightly to his shoulders, Lauren took small steps, trying not to glare at the couples that were speeding past them, taunting her as they barely moved inches from where they began.

“It is just you and me here,” he said holding her waist. “Ignore everyone else.”

“I really don’t want to fall,” she said, gazing down at her feet warily.