Vengeance Aside (Wanted Men 0.5)(74)

The air stilled at the command in his voice, and as if they’d planned it, Farah and Samuel turned in unison to look at Lukas and Dale.

“Go,” Lukas said. “We’re heading up soon ourselves, so you guys can have the pool. But give the boys a warning. It is the middle of the day.”

Farah grabbed Samuel’s hand and dragged him away. “We’re just going to swim, Lukas. We’ll leave the inappropriate stuff to the newlyweds. Would you come on?” She pulled harder on her husband who was looking between Lukas and their father, but it was a slow departure.

Once they were alone, they went into the living room where his father closed the door. He looked down at the card then swiped at his eyes again. Dale pushed Lukas forward. She had her fingers pressed to her mouth as she tried not to cry.

“Papa?” He put his hand on his father’s shoulder, and avoided looking at the small part of his ear Yuri had been able to save. Eighty percent of his hearing was gone on that side.

“Son.”

Lukas was pulled into a hug, but when his father didn’t say anything, the reason for it became clear. And clearer still with what was said after he was released.

“I must ask you both to humor an old man and do as I tell you.” He looked at the card again. “Did you send these to anyone else, Dale?”

She shook her head. “No. I just wanted to do something special, something memorable, for Lukas.”

His father smiled around a sigh and let the card fall to his side. “If you were Farah, I would not request permission to hug you, but I know we are still getting to know—”

After a quick glance at Lukas that read aw, he’s so adorable, Dale hugged her father-in-law with an affection that seemed to grow more and more apparent every day. Thank God she’d never seen him at the hangar with those who’d crossed them.

“You’re a very sweet man,” she said. “If you ever need a hug and I’m handy, you let me know, okay?” She kissed his cheek before going to step back.

She was stopped when his father took her hands. “You must forgive what I am about to ask you, but please do not refuse me.” Before Dale could say anything, he added, “You cannot tell anyone you are pregnant.”

When Lukas’s fears were confirmed, he almost groaned. Seriously? Was his father really going to foist these outdated Russian traditions on Dale? Traditions that revolved around keeping such a blessing under wraps just so some imaginary evil spirits wouldn’t learn of the coming baby and try to harm it? He bit back a curse. “Papa, we live in—”

“I know where we live, Lukas,” he said impatiently, “and so do…others. I will not put your child or its mother in jeopardy when such simple measures can be taken to prevent it.”

When Lukas went to argue, Dale put a hand up to stop him. “It’s okay. I understand. It’s why I didn’t put a name on the announcement even though I’m pretty sure, uh, anyway. I won’t say, um, okay,” she laughed, “this is hard. What am I allowed to talk about? And can I really not buy anything? Because I’ve been waiting for this for what feels like my whole life, and when I read that I’m not allowed to prepare, well, I have to admit I cried.”

His father’s face fell. “I am sorry, rybka. Our customs…”

Dale put her hand on his arm. “Are wonderful. Really. Don’t apologize. I wasn’t complaining. Just…griping a little. So, tell me if I have it right.” She started ticking things off her fingers. “Lukas isn’t expected to be very involved in…the entire process.”

Lukas wasn’t sure what caused him to stiffen. Hearing the bullshit expectation she’d just voiced? Or the flash of guilt that had whipped through her eyes as though she didn’t like the fact that she was pregnant with their first child and was afraid to say the goddamn words.

“I shouldn’t hide away in the pantry and stuff my face with chocolate or oranges because the…uh, fearfulness might be passed along…? Right?”

Lukas shook his head when he saw how careful she was being as she went through the superstitions he’d heard all his life. And that need to please in her eyes as she looked at his father who was smiling with encouragement, seemingly thrilled Dale had obviously gone to the trouble to learn about their culture? Yeah. That wasn’t necessary. “Okay. Fuck this. We are—”

“Going to take a day or two to get used to this before making any decisions,” Dale cut in. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed his waist until he looked down at her. “I’m sorry. I should have gotten this straight by now because I’ve been reading up on it all week, but I’m flustered because you’re angry. Don’t be angry.”

He cupped her nape and held her against his neck where she’d kissed him. “I’m not angry at you, yagodka. I’m angry because bringing up these outdated traditions killed my fucking buzz.” He glared at his father, but then felt his anger wane when his wife started laughing.

“Killed your buzz?” She wriggled out of his hold and tipped her head back to knock him for a loop with a dazzling smile and one sexy fucking dimple. “You’re hilarious. What would you know about a buzz? I’ll bet you’ve never had one in your life but by the almighty grape.”

“You forget the one I get every time I find myself between your legs,” he said into her ear.