Why, you ask?
Because it went something like this.
“This is Mina. She was homeless. I found her. I’m keeping her. She loves me. So we’re getting married.”
And I died. Embarrassment seeped out of me like oozing slime. My gorgeous fiancée had unknowingly made me sound like a freaking gold digger.
I choked out a laugh. “He doesn’t mean that,” I told Nik, my cheeks flaming.
Nik grinned, and his single dimple came out to say hello. Lidi poked it with a small finger, and Nik gently nipped it.
Oh, my Lord. These Leokov men were stunning, every single one of them.
Lev frowned down at me. “That’s exactly what I mean, mouse.”
I glared up at him, stepped on my tiptoes, and whisper-hissed, “Maybe ixnay on the omelesshay, sweetie. Okay? Thanks.”
His face softened a degree. “I’m not ashamed of you, Mina.”
Nik coughed out a laugh before coming over and wrapping his free arm around my shoulders, leading us in. “Whatever, Mina. I’m not judging, sweetheart. Come meet the family.”
I spotted Nas and Sasha talking to another man who looked remarkably like Nik, and when we approached, the man spotted me, separated himself, and came at me like a bull going at a rodeo clown, only happily. He reached us, bent a little, wrapped his arms around me, and lifted me in a giant bear hug. I squeaked as he shook me around like a doll a moment, set me on my feet, and pulled back, beaming. “Lev’s woman! I’m Max, groom, cool dude, cousin.”
I couldn’t help but smile. This guy was crazy.
I looked him up and down. He wore a sophisticated three-piece suit with white Chucks, and still looked heavenly. When my eyes reached his face and landed on his smile, another Leokov dimple came out to play and my stomach flipped. Max put his arm around me and pulled me into his side, shaking me a little. “Don’t be shy, short stuff.” He grinned, and I swear his teeth sparkled. “We’re family.”
That was when Lev approached and Max pulled back, opening his arms wide. Lev smirked, walking into his arms. More hugs and kisses were exchanged then suddenly a gaggle of pretty women appeared, along with two other men—who were both sexy as hell, mind you.
What the heck were they putting in the water up here?
A brunette with a wide smile and green eyes stepped forward and eyed our gorgeous little princess, who was now resting her head on Nik’s shoulder and sucking her thumb. Smart girl. The woman smiled gently. “Hi there, honey. And who are you?”
“This little angel is Lidiya.” Nik jerked his chin to Lev. “Lev, this is my wife, Tina. Tina, baby. Lev, my cousin.”
Her face brightened and her excitement was completely genuine. She came forward and hugged a rigid Lev, rubbing a hand up and down his back. “Oh, wow. Hi!”
She pulled back and without an introduction, she came forward and put her arms around me. “I’m Tina!”
I hid my surprise the best I could and hugged her back. “Mina.”
She laughed softly. “No. Tina. With a T.”
I smiled at her. She was cute. “I know. I meant my name is Mina.”
She gasped. “Mina!” She pointed to herself. “And Tina!” She looked at her husband with wide eyes and spoke slowly. “Mina and Tina. That’s so cool.”
Nik chuckled under his breath and then laughed, shaking his head. Tina wrapped her arm around mine. “We were going to bring our girls with us, but,” she cringed, “we don’t get much time alone anymore. When Nik’s mom offered to babysit all the little ones,” she huffed out a laugh, “I almost threw them at her.” Her smiled faded, she stopped mid-step, and her face turned pained. “That sounded terrible.” Her lips pursed. “I’m a horrible mother.”
I laughed. She was adorable. “No, that sounds kind of reasonable, actually.”
“Really?” she asked, genuinely concerned.
I nodded. “You need time for yourself too.”
She smiled at me before turning to Nik, who was glaring at his brother and reluctantly handing Lidi over to Max. She went willingly, and Max pretended to eat her chubby cheeks. God, these men were destroying my ovaries, one sweet act at a time. She smiled and laughed through the sucking of her thumb. Tina told me, “Gosh, she’s beautiful, Mina.”
I grinned, pushing down the fact I had no right to feel proud of Lidi. “I know. And I think she does too.”
Tina rolled her eyes. “Oh, I know. Little girls know how to play their daddies. And it only gets worse as they get older, trust me.”
I mentally took note.
Tina brought me over to the other women, who all smiled up at me. “This is Mina. She’s Nik’s cousin’s wife.”
Another brunette spoke, but her head had a tinge of red to it, and her green eyes were brighter than I’d ever seen. “Which cousin?”
“Lev,” I told her, then I added, “And we’re not married. Not yet anyway.”
Tina’s face went slack. “Oh, I’m sorry. I just assumed.”
I waved her off with a smile. “That’s okay. Really. Lidiya is Lev’s daughter.”
An olive-skinned man uttered, “I’m Trick.” He pulled a short woman with chocolate brown hair and big brown eyes into his side. “And this is my Lola.”
The reddish-brown brunette smiled. “I’m Nat.” She pointed to the tall ashy-blond man rocking a sexy five o’clock shadow. “And that’s my husband, Asher.” She lifted her hand and pointed to the gorgeous arctic blonde woman next to her. “This is Mimi.” She leaned forward and mock-whispered, “She’s our resident dyke.”
I choked on a laugh as Mimi winked at me. “Hi. Nice to meet you all.” This was a wedding reception, wasn’t it? I asked cautiously, “Where’s the bride?”
Nat rolled her eyes. “Helena, my sister. Max knocked her up good. She’s only a few months along so, you know.” Only, I didn’t know. My confused expression must have given me away, because her brows rose and she grinned before explaining, “She’s in the bathroom, yacking.”
Tina smiled happily then shrugged. “Happens to the best of us, right?”
Max approached with Lidi, and all the girls made cutesy noises as he spoke. “Tell Helena I’m leaving her.” He placed his cheek on Lidiya’s head, and the little girl smiled around the thumb she was sucking. Max sighed then smiled, “There’s another woman in my life.”
Mimi blinked at the little girl. “Would you look at those lashes?”
Nat grinned. “And that curly hair?”
Lola stepped forward and ran her fingers down Lidi’s cheek. “Oh, my God, she’s freaking adorable.” She looked to me with a pucker. “I’m in love.”
But Lidi blinked over at the hard-looking Asher, smiling hard. Nat clucked her tongue. “Of course she chooses to like the broodiest mofo in the group.”
Probably reminds her of her dad, I thought.
Lidi leaned forward, holding her arms out to Asher. He smiled then and his face transformed. He was smoking hot. He came forward and took her from Max’s arms. He pulled back to look down at her as she rested her head on his shoulder. His voice was low, rough. “It’s ‘cause she’s got good taste.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “It hasn’t escaped my notice that she’s only going to the men.” I turned to Tina. “Only gets worse as they get older?” Tina nodded solemnly. I huffed out a breath. “Crap. I’m going to have to watch this one with a hawk eye.”
The girls laughed as the men grinned, and then someone was wrapping their arms around me. I didn’t have to look. I sunk back into him and smiled, placing a hand on his at my waist. Tina happily announced, “This is cousin Lev.”
“Hello,” he muttered from behind me.
A few greeting were exchanged before Tina sighed contentedly, her face turning soft. “You guys look good together.”