After Kodiak got Romina back to sleep, he and Oleg left to go on a run, and Vladimira went off in search of Pavel. Logan and Roksana used the time to discuss the evening ahead.
“So, what are you wearing to the Firebird ceremony?”
“Black tie formal, so black it is, I guess,” Roksana laughed.
“I can’t believe Roman is going to have the brooch finished so quickly.”
“He’s had everything else done for a while, was just waiting on that last stone for the centerpiece. Can you even imagine the security that was in place while he finished it, after all the drama involved in getting it here? But he’s the best in the business. Father wouldn’t hear of putting anyone else in charge of the creative concept for the Jaded Jewels line. They say his manmade gems are so good that only the best professionals in the business can tell they don’t come from the mines.”
“Well, the jewels in that brooch are damn sure for real. How have you managed to keep the brooch a secret from your mother, Roksana?”
“It has not been easy. She knows our trip involved securing a canary diamond that figured prominently in something to do with the diamond business, but she has no idea what it’s really for. She knows father is gathering everyone together for a special evening, but she’s been just scratching her head because we’re already having plenty of family time over Christmas. She has no idea he’s presenting her with a one-of-a-kind jewelry masterpiece created just for her. I can’t wait to see her face. The Firebird story was always a favorite of his, but after he found the love of his life, he was inspired by the passion the fable represented. So romantic…”
“So that’s why he calls her Ptichka?”
Roksana nodded. “It means ‘little bird’. That obsession consumed him from the moment he saw her. I heard him say once that if he had given her the chance early on, she would have flown away from him. He makes the whole thing sound like he was exerting his will over her, but once I was old enough to understand, I knew he did what he did because he couldn’t bear to lose her. So, he claimed her and made sure she couldn’t leave. Then he dedicated his life to making her want to stay.”
“Damn. You know, I was curious about the fable, so I looked it up. There are several versions of the story, but none of them are sweet, simple love stories with a nice, tidy happy ending. I mean, it gets seriously complicated. Once the bird is caught, she starts losing her beautiful plume of feathers. It doesn’t usually end well for the bird. Why would that story appeal to him so much, I wonder?”
“I asked him that once, years ago, when it was just the two of us. He said that fairytales with happy endings are for children but that The Firebird legend is about what’s real, because life and love and obsession are messy. While the bird is at the mercy of her devoted captor, her feathers scatter on the ground beneath her, leaving a trail of beauty and love and light in her wake wherever she goes. At the end of her life, she has given everything she has for love, and created beauty where none existed before. A beauty that will last forever.” Roksana’s voice broke as she concluded, “The story is perfect for them.”
“So out of obsession, a legacy is created. That is so Glazov.”
“It so is. My father is still crazy in love with her. Regardless of how their story started, she really came into her own as his wife. She is his queen. They adore each other. I can’t bear to even think of either of them ever without the other.” The sadness in her eyes pulled on Logan’s heart. “I honestly don’t think either of them could survive alone. I mean, I think Father would try to endure for the sake of the Bratva legacy, but I shudder to think of the bitter, heartbroken, empty shell that would be all that was left of him. I wouldn’t know where to start to help him get through it. I don’t what we would do without her. She’s the heart of this family.”
Logan rubbed Roksana’s arm and looked at her earnestly. “We would do what we always do; we’d band together as a family and make it work. I believe that’s why your father is so hellbent on going legit and having these peace treaties in place. As long as we don’t step on anyone’s toes, we should be fine. You know, that’s one of the main reasons we agreed to help the Ramirez brothers in the first place; we knew it would make the Colombians owe us, and it secured the missing piece of the Pakhan’s masterpiece.
“When that drive-by complicated things, the Ramirez brothers had to put all their macho bullshit aside and make things right with the Pakhan.” She laughed as she considered the irony of it all. “I believe it may have even forged a bond between Novak and Antonio Wayne. And how weird is that?”
“Ha, ha, if that’s even possible.”
“Okay, enough soul searching,” Logan said, standing up. “Let’s head to that awesome walk-in closet of yours and figure out what we’re wearing. I’ve still got to get something for Romina to wear.”
“If Santa didn’t bring her enough frilly dresses, we can call the stylist in to bring a few things for her. The guys are still paranoid about us going out alone.”
“Ugh, just the thought of having to take them along is enough to make me nuts.”
“I know, they’re always rushing us and it’s distracting. These things take time.”
“That…or they’re trying to sneak into the dressing room for a quickie while our panties are down.”
“Insatiable, those Bratva men.”
“Okay, what are you two up to?” Both women jerked in surprise when Natasha appeared in the doorway.
“Damn it, woman! Why are you always in stealth mode? We didn’t even hear you come in,” Roksana gasped.
“It goes with the territory,” Natasha laughed. “The quieter I am, the longer little people sleep. Did I hear you all say something about the stylist coming in for Romina?”
“So, not only are you in stealth mode, you’re also eavesdropping,” Roksana accused playfully as she moved hangers this way and that, rejecting some options and setting a few dresses aside for Logan to consider.
“Yep…like I said, it goes with the territory. And I learned from the best.”
“You are too kind,” Roksana said with a wicked gleam in her eyes. “This would look good on you, Logan,” she suggested as she pulled a dress from the lineup. “With the tan you’ve got going on from being in Colombia, I think you need to show some serious skin.”
Logan took the hanger from her and considered the black fitted dress. It had delicate black straps and a corset bodice that curved around to the sides with cutouts. The split up the leg was higher than she usually went for, but classy. “Oh, wow,” she breathed. “I don’t think Kodiak’s ever seen me in anything like this.”
“Alright then, strip, bitch. We want to see what it looks like on,” Roksana said as she snapped her fingers.
Moments later, Logan stood in front of the cheval mirror, turning slowly from side to side. It was a deceptively simple dress, the black silk unadorned as it clung lovingly to her curves.
“That. Is. Amazing,” Natasha sighed, nodding as she folded her arms across her chest.
“You’ve got to wear that,” Roksana agreed.
“Okay,” Logan agreed. “That’s one down, two to go, and three baby wardrobes. We’re on our way, ladies.” She twirled again, admiring how the silk rippled and swayed in the mirror. Yes, it was perfect for the occasion.
Roksana turned her attention to Natasha and looked her up and down. “Okay, you. Please tell me you haven’t picked out a dress on your own yet.”
“That’s why I’m here, girl. Do whatever you want with me,” Natasha laughed, spreading her arms wide.
“Oh, really?! Don’t tease me, now. With those big, gorgeous baby-mama tits you’ve got going on? Oh, this is going to be fun. Nikita won’t know what hit him,” she said as she rubbed her hands together with glee.