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September 9 - September 11, 2025
“Don’t forget me when you’re living in your mansion, eating caviar and getting foot massages from your sexy Russian boss.”
“I’m just saying, if he offers, take it. You’re carrying his child. He owes you at least that.”
“And this…” she says as she reaches into her oversized tote bag and pulls out a little canister, handing it to me, “is mace. Just in case you’re ever in a sticky situation.”
I’ll lock these away the moment I unpack—I don’t trust myself not to accidentally maim someone.”
“That’s my Practical Patty,” she teases.
“Liar.” She snorts. “I always notice when you aren’t there.”
20,000 Was Deposited into Your Account
Consider this an advance before you move in. I’ll see you soon.
If something feels off, at any point, you call me. Okay? Day or night. If you get even the slightest weird vibe, you leave. You pack your bags, and I will be there in a cab with a bat in one hand and my own taser in the other.”
“I love you, Nic. You’re one of the smartest, kindest people I know. You deserve good things. Don’t forget that.”
already dishing out the gentle admonishments only a mother can. Sasha trails behind us, one hand gripping the suitcase handle, the other clutching the car keys, his gaze locked on Mom the entire time.
“You boys are fussing too much,” she mutters, patting my arm as I adjust her coat.
“That pretty blonde nurse? The one who talked to me when she thought I was sleeping?”
“She’ll be taking care of me at the house?” she asks, as weary of the hospital as we are.
Her hair is pulled into a neat ponytail, and she’s wearing bright floral scrubs.
“Mrs. Volkova,” she greets my mother with a bright smile. “Welcome home.”
My mother’s face lights up in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Hello, my solnyshko,” she says, reaching out to touch Nicole’s arm, her little sun.
“It is so lovely to have you here with us. Don’t tell anyone, but you were my favorite nurse.”
“And now that you’re back in the comfort of your own home, we’ll get you back in fighting shape in no time.”
“Good. These boys need a proper whooping,”
“Sergei did,” Nicole says, glancing up at me briefly before turning her attention back to my mother. “He ...
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Mom harumphs, but I know she’s secr...
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“But you are a delightful addition. They get it right every once in a while.”
“I see your game, brother. Respect.”
“Come on, let’s call a spade a spade. Did you hire Nicole because she was the best nurse, or because you’re fucking her?”
I chose Nicole because she treated my mother and me with the utmost respect when most of the other hospital staff were rushing in and out like we meant nothing to them. I chose Nicole because she’s both caring and competent, the kind of nurse who’ll do anything to help her patients. I chose Nicole because my mother deserves someone kind.
“Sergei, what is all this?” she asks sharply, turning to me with a murderous glare. “Why are all these things in my room?”
“I’m trying to keep you alive, Mom,” I shoot back, also in Russian. “You may be my mother, but I am the man of the house and what I say goes.”
“I’ll show you ‘man of the house,’”
She handles my mother with a balance of patience and firmness I can’t match. I love Mom, but she’s stubborn. Nicole doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest.
Once she records Mom’s blood pressure, Nicole coaxes her to lie down for a nap.
Miraculously, she agrees without a fight. Sasha and I exchange shocked looks as Nicole tucks our mothe...
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“Whatever you’re paying her, double it,” Sasha mutters. “I’ve never seen Mom list...
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“My brother and I used to race through the halls and get in trouble for drawing on the walls. Mom always said this house was far too nice to be raising hellions.”
“I can’t imagine you being a hellion,” she murmurs, a small smile curving her lips. “You seem very close to your family.”
“I’m close with my family too,” she says. “It’s one of the reasons I took this job. My parents need help, and I want to be able to give it to them.”
After all, she’s the nurse. I have no idea how I could be of any help in this situation. But I don’t want to just leave her there, sick and weak on her first day in my home.
Just checking in. Still alive?
Haven’t been murdered yet if that’s what you mean. Call?
“I need to hate you in full color.”
if he so much as breathes weird, I’m driving out there with my taser and a shovel.”
“I’ll send up the Bat Signal,”
Low voices carry on the breeze, followed by comfortable, friendly laughter. I slow, round a bend in the path, and spot six men in perfectly tailored suits. They stand in a loose circle near the fa...
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They puff on cigars, oblivious to my presence. Something about them scratches at my brain—famil...
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When one of them turns, recognition slams into me, and ...
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He looks so much like Sergei, only younger. Up close, it’s even more obvious. Even though he was with Sergei yesterday when we got Liliya settled, I was focused on my patient and paid him little mind.
I stop, heart thudding as our eyes lock across the distance. He could be Sergei’s double.
He has the same sharp jaw, the same ice-blue eyes, even the same dark hair. He has fewer grays and a livelier energy, though he can’t be much younger than Sergei. A permanent smirk curves his mouth, deepening as he approaches.
“We didn’t get a proper introduction yesterday. I’m Sergei’s younger brother, Sasha. And my mom’s favorite son,”
