Blackstone Ranger Scrooge - Alicia Montgomery Page 0,65
his twin girls,” Natalia beamed. “Oh, I do miss holding babies.”
When she shot a meaningful look at Cam, he only smiled back. For the first time in his life, he didn’t mind his grandmother dropping hints. In fact, he himself had imagined it many times this past week. J.D.’s stomach growing large with their cub or kitten. Holding his child in his arms. Watching her nurture their son or daughter. His polar bear very much enjoyed all that.
“By the way, Cam,” Jason took him aside and lowered his voice. “I need to talk to you about something later. I have news some—”
“Well, well, aren’t we looking all cozy here?”
It was a good thing he had prepared mentally for Arabella’s presence tonight. The pure joy he felt at having J.D. by his side would gird him for whatever poison she would fling. He wouldn’t even give her the satisfaction of paying her any attention. However, it was hard to miss the way his grandmother’s eyes grew large and her face turned ashen all of a sudden. “Babushka?”
“Aleksandr. Will you not greet me?”
Every muscle in his body stiffened, and his bear reared up at the sound of the heavily accented voice. Whirling around, disbelief shot through his brain for a moment, but he knew his eyes weren’t deceiving him. “Hello, Uncle Stepan.”
The older man’s piercing light blue gaze bore right into him, his dominant polar bear like a lurking monster waiting within him. Stepan Dashokov was one his grandfather’s five brothers, next oldest after Igor, and if rumors and whispers Cam had heard growing up were true, the one who objected the most to Igor’s marriage to Natalia. Apparently, Stepan was bitter as he had always wanted to take over the family business from their father but had the bad luck of being born second after Igor.
“What a surprise to see you here, Stepan,” Natalia said nervously. “And such a long way for you to travel.”
“Yes, and since this is such a small, intimate gathering, I’m surprised you bothered to make the trip,” Cam added. “Tell me, how did you manage an invitation?”
“MedvedDaz has many dealings all over Europe, including the Northern Isles. We are invited to a great many Christmas parties and affairs.”
Though Stepan was technically vice president of the company, he was still in deep in the other side of the business. Transitioning to a legitimate operation was a process, after all, yet Cam couldn’t help but wonder if his uncle dragged his feet in making that full transformation.
“And after all, we are family, yes?” Stepan continued. “How could I not come and see my dear sister-in-law and grand-nephew at the same time?”
“A missed opportunity, especially for someone so busy,” Arabella added.
From the smug look on her face, Cam could guess exactly how Stepan found out about this party.
“Will you not introduce me to your … friends?” Stepan raised a light brow and looked meaningfully at Jason and J.D.
“Of course.” He swallowed, hoping to moisten his dry throat. “Uncle Stepan, this is Jason Lennox, one of our hosts tonight. Jason, this is my great-uncle, Stepan Dashokov.”
“Mr. Dashokov. Welcome to Blackstone Castle.” Jason’s nod was polite, but his dragon displayed a flash of unmistakable dominance.
“Mr. Lennox. A pleasure to finally meet you.” Stepan returned the nod and made no attempt at any posturing. “I have been trying to secure a meeting with Lennox Corporation for very long time now. Perhaps we can have a chat later?”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to talk to my brother,” he replied. “He’s the CEO. I merely run the charity foundation. I’m not sure that’ll be of any interest to you.”
“Of course.” His jaw ticked at the rebuff, but his face remained cool and unchanged. “And who is this lovely creature by your side, Aleksandr?”
“Uncle Stepan, my I present Ms. J.D. McNamara. My mate.”
“Ms. McNamara. Lovely to meet you.” Cam had no doubt that Stepan already knew who J.D. was, considering it was Arabella who had called him, but the totally unsurprised look on his face confirmed as much.
“Good evening, Mr. Dashokov.” To her credit, J.D.’s expression was neutral, but he knew there was a storm brewing inside her, knowing that Stepan was part of the family who would harm Natalia.
“So, Aleksandr has found his mate,” Stepan stated.
“He sure did,” J.D. added. “Though some people might wish otherwise. You know. Desperate people.” Her gaze flickered at Arabella.
Don’t let her get to you, he wished silently at J.D. Please. Not tonight. He knew his mate was not pleased