“With plenty of traveling salesmen thrown in.” The voice came from the kitchen doorway. Sydney looked over her shoulder and saw a striking woman with a sleek cap of raven hair and tawny eyes. “I’m Mikhail’s sister, Rachel. You must be Sydney.”

“Yes, hello.” Sydney straightened, and wondered what miracles in the gene pool had made all the Stanislaskis so blindingly beautiful.

“Dinner’ll be ready in ten minutes.” Rachel’s voice carried only the faintest wisp of an accent and was as dark and smooth as black velvet. “Mikhail, you can set the table.”

“I have to take out the trash,” he told her, instantly choosing the lesser of two evils.

“I’ll do it.” Sydney’s impulsive offer was greeted with casual acceptance. She was nearly finished when Alex, as dark, exotic and gorgeous as the rest of the family, strolled in.

“Sorry I’m late, Papa. Just finished a double shift. I barely had time to…” He trailed off when he spotted Sydney. His mouth curved and his eyes flickered with definite interest. “Now I’m really sorry I’m late. Hi.”

“Hello.” Her lips curved in response. That kind of romantic charm could have raised the blood pressure on a corpse. Providing it was female.

“Mine,” Mikhail said mildly as he strolled back out of the kitchen.

Alex merely grinned and continued walking toward Sydney. He took her hand, kissed the knuckles. “Just so you know, of the two of us, I’m less moody and have a steadier job.”

She had to laugh. “I’ll certainly take that into account.”

“He thinks he’s a cop.” Mikhail sent his brother an amused look. “Mama says to wash your hands. Dinner’s ready.”

Sydney was certain she’d never seen more food at one table. There were mounds of chicken stuffed with rich, herbed butter. It was served with an enormous bowl of lightly browned potatoes and a platter heaped with slices of grilled vegetables that Nadia had picked from her own kitchen garden that morning. There was a tower of biscuits along with a mountain of some flaky stuffed pastries that was Alex’s favorite dish.

Sydney sipped the crisp wine that was offered along with vodka and wondered. The amount and variety of food was nothing compared to the conversation.

Rachel and Alex argued over someone named Goose. After a winding explanation, Sydney learned that while Alex was a rookie cop, Rachel was in her first year with the public defender’s office. And Goose was a petty thief Rachel was defending.

Yuri and Mikhail argued about baseball. Sydney didn’t need Nadia’s affectionate translation to realize that while Yuri was a diehard Yankee fan, Mikhail stood behind the Mets.

There was much gesturing with silverware and Russian exclamations mixed with English. Then laughter, a shouted question, and more arguing.