You Don't Own Me 2 (The Russian Don 2)

‘Talking of cute, I forgot to tell you what your little me did yesterday.’

‘What did she do?’ I ask with a sigh.

‘Last week I explained to her that when you get the urge to do something bad it’s because the devil is whispering in your ear.’

‘Oh, so you told her that,’ I exclaim.

‘That’s not the point of this story,’ Stella says impatiently. ‘So yesterday I found her happily coloring the wall in my room. Of course, I scolded. “That is very naughty, Anouska. Next time I see you do that I’ll have to beat your little butt.” She frowned up at me and said, “Is the devil talking to you now Auntie Stella?”’

I burst out laughing. ‘Oh my God. My daughter is terrible.’

‘I know. It’s like she’s my daughter. She’s got all my traits.’

‘She does,’ I agree, still chuckling.

‘Anyway, when is Noah coming?’

‘Tomorrow. He can only stay for a day though. He nearly didn’t come, but I twisted his arm.’

‘How does one twist Noah’s arm?’

‘Food.’

‘Really?’

‘Specifically, date and banana cake. He’ll walk miles for a slice.’

‘You’re kidding. He’s seems so impenetrable.’

‘No. That’s his big weakness.’

She laughs. ‘He’s still single, isn’t he?’

‘Yup.’

‘Do you think he’ll ever find someone?’

‘For sure. He has a heart of gold. The woman who gets him will be very lucky.’

I lift my head slightly and Zane is standing there with Alexei.

‘Well, well, what do we have here, Alexei?’ he says.

‘Mommy, Mommy,’ Alexei calls, and Zane brings him over and fits him between Stella and me.

His little fingers grasp my face as he plants a wet, gooey kiss on my nose.

‘Right. I’m off to see what Mark is up to,’ Stella says, trying unsuccessfully to pull herself upright.

Zane holds out his hand, she grasps it and he pulls her into a sitting position.

‘Thank you, kind Sir,’ she tells him, before waddling out of the kitchen.

‘Hello beautiful,’ Zane says, coming around to kiss me.

I sit up and hold Alexei in my lap.

Zane leans toward me, bracketing my body by putting his hands on the countertop. ‘Happy?’ he asks.

‘Ecstatic,’ I reply.

‘I want to take you upstairs, Mrs. Malenkov,’ he whispers.

‘Like now?’

‘Like now,’ he says very seriously.

‘Why?’

‘Because it’s our anniversary.’

‘No, it’s not,’ I say immediately.

‘Yes, it is.’

‘What anniversary?’ I challenge.

‘The very first time I made you come.’

I grin. ‘When I was forced by Stella to go massage the very dangerous Russian mob boss?’

He nods. ‘He’s not a mob boss anymore, but he is still very Russian, and can be dangerous if provoked. Will you massage him?’

‘What about him?’ I ask, nodding at Alexei.

‘Just throw him in the pool,’ he says callously.

‘I have a better idea,’ I whisper, and thrusting Alexei into his arms, jump down from the counter. I snatch Alexei back and go out into the poolside area where Mark, Stella, and Anouska are playing.

‘Can you take care of this little one for an hour?’ I say, holding my son out to Stella.

‘What am I? Your babysitter?’

‘Wait till your bundle of joy arrives and you want some,’ I say meaningfully.

‘Give me that baby,’ she says, holding her arms out.

I give Alexei to her and run.

Yes, I run to my husband.

The End.

This book is inspired by the idea that everybody

deserves a second chance …