Page 17 of Love and Chaos

“I honestly can’t recall the last time you told me.” Soren sighed, and Alexei snorted. He was damn sure he’d told him yesterday, but he had no problem repeating himself.

“You are fucking amazing. And really damn sexy in that apron.”

Soren handed over the plate and stole a loud kiss. “Pink isn’t usually my color, but I look pretty snazzy in this. I set up the table on the patio and just put your coffee out there. Can you grab the plate of toast too? I’ll be right behind you.”

Alexei snatched up the plate piled with golden-brown toast sliced into neat triangles. No, it wasn’t a Greek breakfast, but Alexei didn’t care if it meant he didn’t have to cook.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly on the white stones of the patio. The house was positioned high on a hill, and the courtyard faced the sparkling blue Aegean Sea. Alexei’s heart squeezed to find the table under the yellow umbrella set up with utensils, napkins, jam, butter, coffee, creamer, and a small spray of flowers in a tiny vase.

He took a seat, and Soren followed him a moment later with his own plate of food and mug of coffee.

“How long have you been up?” Alexei inquired, grabbing another kiss.

“Couple of hours. I think I’ve got a bit of jet lag from all our travel. My body doesn’t know whether it’s coming or going.”

“It didn’t seem to have any problems coming last night.”

Soren picked up a piece of bacon and pointed it at his lover. “Eat your breakfast, and don’t sass me.”

Alexei grinned and did as he was told, devouring the simple food. They didn’t fill the meal with useless chatter but enjoyed the pleasant breeze and wonderful scenery in silence.

“Mom and I had a lot of our meals out here. Especially dinner. Mom liked to watch the sky changing colors against the sea as the sun set,” Alexei stated shortly after finishing his food. He picked up his linen napkin and wiped the grease from his fingertips and mouth. A good night’s sleep, sex, and a meal had done wonders for his mood. The anxiety that had clawed at his chest upon arriving had largely dissipated, leaving him with a feeling of peace.

“It’s peaceful here. I can see why you and your mom were such fans.”

Alexei hummed softly in agreement. “Being a Krestyanov was not an easy thing. We needed breaks.”

Soren moved aside his plate and cradled his coffee mug in front of him, his brow puckering in thought. “Part of my brain still struggles with the knowledge that Nicolai Krestyanov was your grandfather and that Victor Krestyanov is your uncle. I was just a little CIA agent at the time, but we were all read in on the powerful families of the world. In Russia, Krestyanov was synonymous with death and terror. I can’t see that for you.” Soren turned his face toward Alexei and smirked. “At least until you’re at work, and then I can clearly see your uncle’s training. Otherwise, you’re my sweet Angel.”

“My mother didn’t want that life for me. She thought I was a sweet, tender-hearted angel and didn’t want the Krestyanov life to destroy who I was. She did everything she could to protect me. Growing up, she was confident my grandfather or one of my evil uncles would arrange for me to have an ‘accident’ rather than have my obvious weakness besmirch the family name. When I was in Russia, I practiced how I walked and talked so I didn’t give off any ‘weak’ or ‘soft’ vibes.”

Alexei paused and dragged a deep, cleansing breath into his lungs. He released it, pushing out the heavy darkness from his body. “But our trips to Mykonos were different. Here I could be me. The bodyguards Mother brought along were all loyal to her. They wouldn’t rat me out.”

“I’m almost sorry Gabriel killed off those bastards in your family,” Soren grumbled, his hands tightening on his mug. “I would very much like to torture them slowly, make them regret every evil word, every sneer and threat they ever tossed in your direction. Paint the walls in their fucking blood.”

Alexei’s heart skipped and bounded around his chest at Soren’s words as he ground them between his teeth before spitting them out. His sweet, crazy cat-burglar boyfriend was not normally the violent type. He was a sneaky shit who preferred to avoid physical confrontation. But hearing Soren want to commit horrible violence on his behalf warmed him in ways that probably weren’t normal.

“I wanted the same thing for a while, but I’m glad Uncle Gabriel handled it. He had his grievances against them as well. Grandfather ordered the murder of his first love. It was time for him to get justice for his lover. Besides, I got something better than revenge.”

Soren lifted an eyebrow in silent question.

Alexei giggled. “Uncle Gabriel taught me how to be part of that world and not lose myself. He showed me how to protect myself, take that power and make it mine, while still being your Angel. Because of that, I was in London doing a job that allowed our paths to cross. Being a Krestyanov has never been easy, but if I’d known that it would eventually carry me to you, I would have endured it with a smile on my face. It was worth it.”

His sweet thief reached out and cupped his cheek, drawing him close. Soren gently kissed his lips, showing without words exactly how much he treasured Alexei. “I could do without you suffering at the hands of your so-called family, but I am so glad that you are mine.”

“And it doesn’t bother you that I come from a family of tyrants and cold-blooded killers?”

Soren huffed out a laugh and pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose. “You are not your family. We don’t get to choose the family we are born into, but we do get to choose the person we become. I love the beautiful, playful, crazy person you are. Never change.”

“I love you too, Soren. With you, every day feels like I’m waking up in Mykonos. I’m free.”

After stealing one more kiss, Alexei pulled away and bounced in his seat. “Okay. That’s my family. Your turn. Tell me about your family and childhood.”

Laughter burst from Soren as a harsh bark. He flopped back in his chair and thrust a hand through his messy hair as a breeze stirred sweetly across the patio. “My childhood? I’m sorry, but you’re going to be disappointed after your interesting story.”

“No, I won’t!” Alexei grabbed his free hand in both of his, tugged lightly at him. “Tell me. I told you about my past.”

“It’s boring. I was born to lower middle-class parents. One was an elementary teacher and the other a tax accountant in Kansas. I had an older brother and an older sister⁠—”