Let Me In-Dragan's Tale: The Mikhailov Brothers by Amanda Hough Read Free Book Online Page A

ally in Brenna too.
    “...just want him here. With us. You know?” Evelyn’s voice laced with emotion and it shocked me into the conversation.
    “I know sweetness. Sergey and I are ready. Everything is in place. Is Sergey around by the way?” I’d made a point of avoiding emotional attachments, except for Nicolai. They drained me of strength and rarely bared fruit. Evelyn Snow was the exception to that rule. I liked her the moment we met. Regardless of my big brother’s attempts to limit her exposure to me, she pursued a friendship with me like a rabid dog. She had a way of knowing when I was retreating into myself and she drew me back among the living. She also appreciated the renewal of affection between Sergey and me. Coaxing a delicate truce between the brothers had, in a short span of time, bloomed into a genuine propinquity.
    “Sorry, of course… I’m just excited for all of you. Sergey’s in the shower. I saw your number pop up and answered. Sorry,” she apologized again.
    “No worries. We will see you at dinner tonight. Yes?”
    “Yes!” she responded with enthusiasm. “And call if you need us. And Dragan…”
    “Yes, Evelyn?”
“Everything will work out. Sergey hasn’t said much. But what I am permitted to know confirms what I knew all along.”
    I laughed. “And what is that, sweet Evelyn?” My voice low and smooth.
    “That you are a hero. And I admire you more than you could know.”
    I swallowed an unwelcome emotion and responded, “Thank you my sweet Evelyn. There is no higher compliment than your regard.”
    The woman at the other end of the line laughed. “I love it when you talk that way! Kisses my beautiful Dragan.”
    I disconnected, shaking my head. Sergey was a lucky son of a bitch. With a grin I redialed Nico’s phone. In truth, I was starting to worry. When everything went down Sergey and I wanted our little brother close. Not that the man couldn’t take care of himself. But there was strength in numbers. And God help the person who tried to hurt what they protected. The call went directly to voicemail.
    “So, how many calls from you should I expect when I turn my phone on? a voice asked from behind him. With a sigh, I turned to find my brother.
    Dressed in well-worn seaweed-colored chinos, a T-shirt informing the public he was a Jedi Master and black Chuck Taylor’s on his feet, he grinned at his brother. Nico was nearly thirty-years old but when I saw my brother again after an absence it was like looking at the ten-year-old who stood crying and dirty all those years ago as father and I were arrested. Dragan gave a mental shake and straightened his spine.
    “Didn’t your flight land 20 minutes ago? Everything okay? Did you sleep in those clothes?”
    Nicolai chuckled at the barrage of questions but agreed. “I did. We don’t all wake up in Armani, Drago.”
    Dragan eyed him up and down. “Your pants are undone. You’re about a half an inch from your balls poppin’ out.”
    “Oh,” he said in surprise and fastened his pants with a grin.
    Dragan shook his head. “I can’t believe a flight attendant didn’t notice and say something to you.”
    Nico laughed again and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Oh my sweet, naive brother. Who do you think unzipped them?”
     

 
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    APOLOGIES
    Toni
    My plan was to dress early so I could head over to Evie and Sergey’s house to help. As usual, life got in the way. I’d rearranged my work schedule so I could come to the dinner party. Missing out on Saturday night tips sucked but it was worth it to see Evie. So, I had a rare Saturday with no work. Instead I cleaned the house, went to the Laundromat and put fresh sheets on Mom’s beds and mine. I trimmed Mom’s hair, washed my car and went grocery shopping. I’d wanted a bubble bath but ran out of time. My back really hurt from lifting my mom. I needed free medical advice from Evie without letting her know what I was doing to get injured in the first