“Nothing’s festered,” I argue, sounding defensive even to my own ears. “I was never close to my parents.”
“It was never this bad, though,” Elle points out. “Come on, Lys, let’s be real here. You’ve been gone for months without much of an explanation and I was way more concerned than your parents.”
It hurts to hear but it’s true. “I’ve tried with them, Elle, but—
“Have you?”
“Excuse me?”
She hides behind her glass of water for a moment. “I’m just saying, I was there. I saw it all unfold. After Ziva died… emotions were running high. Things were said. And instead of dealing with the fallout, you all retreated to your separate corners.”
My stomach roils uncomfortably. “Why are you pushing this?”
Elle frowns. “Because it’s important to have people in your life, Alyssa. A support system. Someone who’ll notice if you, oh, I dunno… randomly disappear.” She glances towards the window. “I’m not sure that relying on one man, no matter how handsome or how nice his car, is the right thing for you.”
I sigh and give her hand a squeeze. “I know I can’t get you onboard today, so all I can do is let time convince you that Uri is a good man. He’s just… complicated.”
She doesn’t look satisfied with that answer. “Don’t you want something simple?”
“I did. Then my sister died.” Elle raises her eyebrows and I take a deep breath. “Sorry,” I murmur quickly, running my hand over my stomach. “I just… I really wish she was here.”
“I know. I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t poke; you know what’s best for you.”
I smile and make another attempt at changing the subject. “Tell me all about your honeymoon. Where’d you guys end up going?”
“Hawaii,” she says as her eyes light up all over again. “Two full weeks by the beach in this really nice resort. We used up all the money we got as wedding presents but it was totally worth it.”
“I’m so glad.”
“And we came back from Hawaii with a little lifetime souvenir,” Elle says as her cheeks flush with color. “I’m pregnant, too!”
I gasp as shock and joy jolts through my body. “Seriously?”
“Doubt I’m gonna have twins, but there’s definitely one bun in the oven. Liam and I are over the moon.”
“So am I! Elle, our kids are gonna grow up together!” There’s an emotional wobble in her chin as we slide out of our seats just so that we can embrace. “This is just great news.”
It is great news.
Now, if only we can get Polly back safe and sound, I can really enjoy it.
24
URI
I’m waiting for Alyssa outside the restaurant when a call comes in from Nikolai. “Where are you?”
“Out.”
“Okay, then you can go check out this place called Matros. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Sobakin might have been an investor in the bar. Maybe we can poke around there, see if something comes up.”
“That’s all you have? Sobakin may have invested in some shithole in Santa Monica?”
“You got any better ideas? We’ve exhausted every other rumor, man. It wouldn’t hurt to check this out.”
“I can’t do it right now.”
“Why not?”
I peek towards the window. Alyssa and her friend are out of their seats and hugging each other tightly. I’m guessing Alyssa probably shared her pregnancy news. “Because Alyssa’s having lunch with her friend and I’m on bodyguard duty.”
“Are you serious?”
The annoyance in his voice takes me aback. “Why would I joke?”
“You could have put Stepan or Vlad or literally anyone else in the whole goddamn Bratva on bodyguard duty.”
“Except there’s no one I trust more than myself.”
“For God’s sake… Listen, I’m glad you and Alyssa managed to sort out your shit—but in case you’ve forgotten, our sister’s still missing.”
My jaw clenches together hard enough to make my whole head throb. Nikolai’s words are bad enough; his tone makes them far worse. “I haven’t forgotten,” I snarl. “I’m just trying to make sure Alyssa and my children don’t end up missing, either.”
He clicks his teeth in irritation. “I’m going to the shed. I think it’s time I took a shot at Sobakin. Maybe I can get something out of him that you couldn’t.”