chapter Thirty-One
All I Have
Kurtrina
I sniffle as I look down at my phone. This man has no idea what I’ve been through. I want to meet my niece. I need to meet her. I don’t know what his problem is, but I’m getting impatient.
This Russian bastard needs to stop playing games. I’ve called and left him numerous voicemails about meeting my niece. Afanasy and I aren’t speaking at the moment, because I will not listen to him tell me I cannot see my niece one more time.
I don’t give a good damn who this Misha is. No, I don’t need to watch my mouth when I leave him messages. No, I don’t have to respect his wishes. It has been long enough.
I tighten my grip on my phone and growl out my frustration. He doesn’t want to take my calls, well, I’ll blow his phone up until he gets sick of me. Enough is enough. I have a right to meet my sister’s daughter.
I stab at my phone dialing the same number I was given months ago. I mean, why give me your number if you’re not going to answer my freaking calls. I don’t do stupid well. This is beyond.
“You’re going to answer my damn calls. I want to see my niece you, son of a bitch,” I huff as the phone rings.
“You do not know my mother. Although, you are right. It is my father that was bitch,” a rough Russian accent pours through the phone.
My heart skids to a stop at the sound. It’s sexy as fuck. I’m taken back by my reaction. I don’t gravitate to men. Afanasy is a gorgeous man and he has asked me a number of times why I don’t date. Truthfully, Afanasy and I are as close as a man and a woman can get without having an intimate relationship. I just don’t do men.
I shift in my seat, feeling a little discomfort, but I pull my shit together before he hangs up. “I want to meet Milanie. There is no reason for you to be doing this. Do you think you’re better than me? Why is Monique good enough and not me?” I snarl.
“We will be there tonight. You have two weeks to spend with Milanie. Shura stays with you. You do not leave apartment with my daughter. Da,” he rumbles back.
“What?” I breathe stunned by his words.
“I have business. You watch my daughter. I give you what you ask for, net,” he says with impatience.
“Yes, but why now,” I ask suspiciously.
“I don’t have time for this. I ask Tasha. Stop calling me,” he snaps.
“Wait, no, I want to do this. Please, she is all I have. My sisters and my niece are all I have. Don’t take this away from me,” I hate that I’m pleading with this man for anything.
I tighten my hold on the phone even more. The pause on the other line is so long, I think he has hung up. I look down at my phone to see the timer still going.
“You even sound like her,” he says roughly. “Tonight, I bring her tonight. Milanie is all I have. Do not go against rules.”
I’m left with my mouth hanging open when the line cuts off. I stare down at my phone in disbelief. Who is this guy?
“You don’t understand Misha. This is not about you,” Afanasy’s voice fills the room. “I try to tell you this.”
“Don’t,” I lift my hand.
“I am friend. I don’t want to see you hurt. Be careful with Misha,” Afanasy continues anyhow.
“I don’t give two shits about that man. I want to be in my niece’s life,” I huff.
“You have that now. I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into,” he says and turns to leave the room abruptly.
I don’t have time to figure him out, as the excitement and nervousness of getting to meet my niece sets in. I finally get to meet Milanie, my sister’s baby. It is a bittersweet feeling.
“I’ll take care of her, Keisha. Better than I did you,” I whisper to myself.
~B~
Misha
I don’t know why I’ve chosen to let Milanie stay with her aunt. I should take LaSalle up on his offer for me to send my daughter with his children. I should talk things out with my Aunt Faina, but I will do none of that.
It is something in her voice. Kurtrina has been calling my phone for months. I’ve listened to every message. I tried to tell myself that Milanie is better off not meeting her, but I know I’m wrong.
“You are good father, Misha, but this is business. You have made wise choice. Let Milanie spend time with aunt. You focus on Alliance and business,” Shura says with a nod. “I will take care of family.”
“You are good friend, Shura. You and I know this is about more than business,” I scoff.
“Yes, but you are man. You do what you need,” he shrugs.
“I have to do this…I need to move on,” I say more to myself than anyone else.
“Who are you trying to convince my friend? Me or you,” Shura asks with a lifted brow.
“Maybe both.”
“Da, but only one of us needs convincing,” Shura chuckles. “Let’s have drink. You have some time before you drop Milanie to her aunt.”
“You will take her to her. I will just ride along,” I reply, feeling the bile rise in my throat.
“I knew you would say that,” Shura sighs heavily.
“It is for best,” I mumble.
“Sure, it is. I say nothing,” Shura nods as he pours us both out two fingers of vodka.
He doesn’t have to say anything. I’ve known Shura long enough to hear what he doesn’t say. This is going to come back to bite me. I already feel the sting.
My father’s words haunt me even now. You are obsessed with those brown faced women. It is time I let go of my obsession. The time has come. I toss back my head and swallow the fiery liquid. If only I could drown my sorrows in this glass.
~B~
Kurtrina
I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. I’ve cleaned the apartment twice and it wasn’t dirty to begin with. My mind is racing. I don’t know how my niece is going to receive me and she will be with me for two weeks.
I’m trying my hardest to ignore the fact that I’m intrigued by this Misha character. Something in his voice has stirred something within that I’m not even willing to look at. Afanasy’s reaction to his boss has my interest peaked even more so, but I’ll be letting all of that go.
I look at the clock on the wall and take a deep breath. Shura called thirty minutes ago and said they’d be arriving within the hour. I’ve changed my clothes three times, settling on a yellow wrap dress. I don’t even remember buying this thing.
It has to be something Brenda brought over to sneak into my closet. The girl is relentless. She doesn’t understand why I won’t let her set me up on a blind date. I’ll have to tell her soon. She is driving me nuts.
The apartment doorbell buzzes and I nearly jump out of my skin. I pop from my seat, but Afanasy is already on his way to answer. I rock from foot to foot, trying to look around Afanasy large frame as he opens the door.
When the door opens and he steps out of the way, Shura comes into view with the cutest little girl I’ve ever seen on his hip. She is just gorgeous. I can see some of my sister in her face.
When her eyes land on me, they grow wide and she stares in wonder. I watch as her eyes tear up. She turns to look up at Shura. Her little lips tremble when she speaks.
“Papa said that’s not mommy, but she looks just like mommy,” she says in almost a whisper.
“You remember your papa saying your mommy and your aunt are special sisters. Just like your friends Tiffany and Tracey, and Sydney and Marie Lynn,” Shura says softly.
Milanie nods her little head. She then turns back to me and looks me over from head to toe. She wiggles free from Shura’s arms and makes her way to stand in front of me.
I hold my breath as she stands in front of me wringing her tiny hands. She rocks forward as if she might reach for me, but rocks back just as quickly. I take a chance and kneel in front of her.
She reaches her little hand out and cups my face. “You’re my auntie, like Auntie Mo?” She asks, her big eyes blinking at me.
“Yes, I’m so happy to finally get to meet you,” I say with a shaky smile of my own.
I’m struck speechless when she throws both arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around her and hold her small body as tightly as she is holding onto me. I think I’m going to crumble when she starts to sob.
“Don’t let go okay?” She sobs. “Mommy let go. I wanted to stay with her, but she let go. I was a bad girl. I didn’t run like she told me to. Don’t let go.”
“Oh, God, Sweetie. I won’t,” I promise.
And I mean it. I keep my niece in my arms for the rest of the night. I never even bother to question her father’s whereabouts. I could care less. I have what I want. My piece of my sister.