Our Flame

LXX

NADIA

"Seriously Nadia, you can't just not talk to me." I shake my head at Ezra. I haven't spoken to him in one whole day. My brothers warned him, that this could go on for a while.

"Baby, just talk to me." Tears start to form in my eyes. "You're leaving me. It was my decision to kill my father, I set that fire, I pulled the trigger. Why can't you just let me handle the consequences?"

Ezra sighs walking over to me, "You've been through entirely too much, I got you now Nadia. Which means, I got this." He says.

"Look at me." My eyes find my way to his, "You will be okay, we'll be okay." He pulls me to his chest. I cry when he does, I cry because he's doing this for me. I cry because it should be me going to jail. I cry because I don't know what to do.

"You're okay Nadia." Ezra's hand moves to my hair.

**

I look over at Ezra as he sleeps, I have no idea how he looks so at peace. His whole life is about to change.

Our whole life.

I sniffle before grabbing my phone exiting the room. I sigh sitting on the front step of my house. I scroll through my contacts finding the person I want to call.

"Alek." My voice comes out shaky. "What's wrong?" He instantly sounds concerned. "I know you're doing your own thing but please come home. I know you just left but, I need all of my brothers."

I wipe the tears from my eyes waiting for his response, "I'll be home later today. I love you, Nadi." I mumble a small 'I love you' then hang up the phone.

I put my head in my hands and the tears continue to fall. Ezra is everything to me and now I magically have to let that go? I can't, I couldn't.

"Nadia." I hear Niko's voice. I wipe my eyes as him and Luka sit beside me. "It's not fair." My voice breaks. "I just got him." I cry. "Nadia, you still have him." Luka whispers.

"There's going to be a process, a trial." Niko reminds me. I shake my head, everyone knows the courts won't be in Ezra's favor.

"And not even that will be fair." I stand, going back inside. I wipe my eyes closing the door behind me.

"Nadia." Ezra stands in the kitchen. "What does your father want? Can't we give him money?" I ask him. "He doesn't want me to be happy, Nadia."

"So he's sending you to prison? I don't understand." A tear slips from my eyes, "My father he believes in business, not love. My mother was never around much, he never brought anyone around after she left. When Astria passed, that's what broke him. He wants me to be like him, alone and mad at the world."

"He wasn't the same after Astria or me taking the mafia from him." Ezra finishes. "It makes no sense." I shake my head, "This isn't fair." I cry.

"I know." Ezra sighs. "We'll be okay, baby."

++

I stir in Ezra's arms as I hear yelling downstairs. I don't stand until I hear one particular voice. My arm reaches for the sweatshirt next to me running downstairs.

"Alek." I rush to my brother. "I'm here, Nadia." He speaks as he holds me in his arms. I pull away whole the rest of my brothers watch the scene unfold.

"прости их" I whisper to Alek. He sighs, I point to Niko and Luka. "Just them, please." I practically beg my brother.

translation: forgive them

"For the record, I knew you had nothing to do with it." Luka comes over. "You didn't back me up." Aleksi's jaw clenches. "Yes I did, brother. You left, I defended you."

"It was you and I Alek, before Niko and Nadi were born- it was us against the world." Luka reminds him.

Aleksi and Luka- the only ones who don't have a twin. Growing up, it was them. When Viktor and Vadim were too busy, Luka and Aleksi had each other. Until Niko and I came along.

"Now, it can be the three of us against the world." I glare at Viktor when I hear him scoff. "Shut up." I mouth to him.

"I forgive you, Luka." Aleksi speaks. "I don't know about that druggie." He points to Niko. Niko gives him a smile, "You know you love me." Niko wraps his arms around Alek.

"Release." Alek attempts to pry Niko off of him. I laugh, the first laugh since I found out Ezra would go to jail.

"Great." Viktor clears his throat. "Viktor, is there something you want to say?" I face him. Viktor rolls his eyes, "Where's your husband? We have things to discuss."

"It doesn't look good does it?" I ask. The look on Viktor's face tells me everything I need to know. "Even with the best lawyer in Russia, the deals aren't even on our side." My brother tells me.

"At the trial, he'll have a chance to explain." Vadim tries to soften the blow of his words. "I'm going to take the stand."

Everyone's head turns to me, "I'm coming clean and none of you can change my mind." I take a deep breath as my brothers yell me. I zone out, I know what I'm doing. I'm doing what I should've done before.

I've lived a bad life. I've sinned, over and over. I deserve to pay for my actions.

With Ezra's father wanting to see him suffer, my confession may not save him- but I have to try. I owe it to Ezra to try. Ezra has given everything to protect me now, I'll try to protect him.

Even with my confession, I know Ezra's father will have something up his sleeve. So will I.

"Do you even hear yourself?" Viktor shakes his head, I smile. "расслабься брат." I say.

translation: relax brother

"When have I not had a plan for the things I do?" I remind. "I look forward to seeing it." Aleksi shakes his head.

I lied, there is no plan. I'm fucked.

++
word count: 1025