Page 14 of Crimson Fate
“Can we save business until after dinner?” Amelia asks, exasperated. She releases Alexei before linking arms with Eva and me and guiding us toward the dining room. “I’ve missed you both so much! Let’s catch up, okay?”
As we settle into our seats, Alexei emerges from the kitchen, his arms laden with salad, bread, and steaming risotto bowls. He sets them down on the table before us, beaming with pride. “Amelia and I are so excited to have you both as our first guests since the wedding!” he declares.
The genuine happiness in my sister’s eyes makes me bite back any further snarky comments.
“I’m so excited to try your cooking,” Eva says as Alexei serves each of us. “This looks and smells amazing.” I wait for Alexei to sit and have the first bite before I try mine. The risotto is surprisingly delicious, and I enjoy the meal despite my earlier reservations.
“Tell me everything that’s been going on with you two,” Amelia says, shifting her gaze between Eva and me. “I’ve missed so much since the wedding and honeymoon.”
“Maybe because you took a three-month honeymoon,” I grumble, scooping in another healthy-sized bite of the risotto.
I grunt when I feel Eva kick me under the table, and she delivers a side-eyed glare in my direction. “I know I, for one, am jealous you spent so much time in Italy. I bet it was amazing.”
“Maybe for Amelia, but Alexei probably missed his homeland. I was surprised the two of you didn’t spend some time in Russia on your travels,” I taunt, staring at Alexei.
“It really was beautiful,” Amelia beams, ignoring my statement completely. “But I was pretty homesick by the time we left.”
“Amelia, I’ve missed you so much,” Eva gushes, her face lighting up joyfully. “I can’t wait to hear all about your life as Mrs. Alexei Ivanov.”
The mention of that name causes a slight twitch in my jaw, but when I catch Eva’s knowing glare, I swallow my pride and force a smile. “Yes, Amelia. Do tell us how married life has been treating you.”
“Let’s see,” Amelia begins, twirling a strand of hair around her finger as she thinks. “Well, it’s definitely an adjustment, but a good one. I’m still getting used to being called Mrs. Ivanov. But Alexei has been wonderful. He’s caring and attentive. He makes sure I have everything I need.”
Alexei’s eyes are fixed on my sister with an adoring gaze. “Amelia is my rock,” he says, his voice filled with sincerity. “I don’t think anyone else could ever understand what it’s like to come from the world we live in, ya know?” He looks up at me when he asks the question.
“I doubt our lives are that similar,” I reply firmly.
Alexei’s smile falters momentarily, but he shrugs it off. “I think you’d be surprised,” he says casually, sipping wine.
I narrow my eyes at him, suddenly feeling a surge of suspicion. “I doubt that,” I reply, my voice laced with skepticism.
Amelia places a hand on my arm, her voice gentle. “Vincent, please. We’re here to enjoy a meal together, not antagonize each other.”
Irritated by how quickly she comes to his defense, I ignore her plea, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms. “Fine, I’ll play nice, but don’t think for a second that I trust you, Alexei.”
He chuckles softly, seemingly unaffected by my words. “Trust is earned,” he replies calmly. “And I have no intention of betraying Amelia’s trust or yours.”
I reluctantly exhale a deep breath before adding, “If you say so.”
Amelia shifts in her seat awkwardly. “Oh my God, Vincent, I told Alex the story about when we were younger, and we went with Daddy over on one of his trips to Italy. Remember that time we snuck into old man Grimaldi’s vineyard?” she asks, laughing uncomfortably as she attempts to change the subject. “We thought we were so clever, stealing his grapes. I was convinced we would collect enough grapes to take them home and smash them to make our own wine.”
“Until he came after us with that shotgun!” I add, unable to stop myself from laughing.
“I’ve never run so fast in my life!” Amelia exclaims.
“What do grapes sound like when they complain?” Eva interjects.
“What?” I ask, looking at her with a confused stare.
“It’s a joke that one of the women in my unit at work told me. Your story reminded me of it,” she explains before repeating. “What do grapes sound like when they complain?”
I chuckle. “I don’t know. What do they sound like?”
“Wine,” she answers, beaming a smile from ear to ear as she looks around the table. We all begin to laugh.
“See, she’s so dang adorable,” Amelia says, looking over at Alexei. “Isn’t she?”
“How about the time we convinced Eva to try her hand at pickpocketing,” I interject, smirking at the memory.