Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Alexei shakes his head. “You better. When’s the wedding?”
“Once my mother is settled, I’ll take the family to Hawaii. Everleigh’s always wanted to go there, and with the ambush and shit show four years ago, she never got around to it.”
“That will be special. Let me know when you plan on going, and I’ll make the arrangements so you don’t fuck it up.” Before I can argue, he adds, “It will be my wedding gift to you.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re landing,” Viktor advises us. His eyes lock with mine. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
This meaning I finally get to kill my father.
Without hesitating, I nod. “I’ve been ready for over four years.”
Viktor nods. “Let me just have my say before you go to town on his ass.”
“Of course.”
As the plane descends, my adrenaline spikes. I haven’t been back in Russia since I left for training at St. Monarch’s. The country doesn’t hold fond memories for me.
Stepping off the private jet, a small army waits for us. Viktor arranged for bratva soldiers to escort us as we have several enemies on this side of the world.
We all pile into SUVs, and soon we’re heading toward my parents’ house. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming, so I have surprise on my side.
My heart beats faster and faster as we near my family home, and when all the SUVs stop in front of the house, everything looks quiet from the outside.
I climb out, and with Viktor and Alexei behind me, I walk to the front door. I don’t have a set of keys and have to knock twice before I hear movement.
The door opens, and when my mother lays eyes on me, she instantly bursts out in tears.
“Zaika!” She throws herself into my arms and clings to me while she sobs with happiness to see me.
Gripping hold of Mama’s shoulders, I push her back so I can inspect her face. There are old and new bruises, and my mother looks older. It seems he’s getting bolder now that it’s just my mother and him in the house. While we were all at home, he used to leave bruises where we couldn’t see them.
Fuck, I should’ve come sooner.
“I’ve come to take you home with me,” I say. “Go pack whatever you want to bring.”
Shock makes her face go slack. “Really? Don’t play with me, zaika. My heart can’t handle it.”
I press my palm to her cheek, and leaning down, I lock eyes with her. “Go pack, Mama. I’m taking you with me.”
I follow her into the house, then ask, “Where is he?”
“In his study,” she murmurs.
I nod toward the stairs. “Go pack.”
I watch my mother hurry up the stairs and glance at two of the guards. “Go with her.”
They follow her up to the second floor, and with my mother out of the way, I walk to the study.
The house is filled with memories, but I refuse to let them cloud my mind.
When I slam the door open and walk into the study, my father’s head snaps up, an aggressive expression on his face.
He clearly expected Mama and not me.
Shock ripples over his features, but when he sees Viktor and Alexei, he quickly hurries from behind his table, a smile spreading over his face.
“I wasn’t aware you were coming to Russia,” he says to his bosses. “I would’ve gotten Katerina to prepare a feast.”
“We’re not here for a friendly visit,” Alexei says. My father worked under Alexei for much longer than under Viktor’s command.
Alexei comes to stand next to me, then gestures for Viktor to say whatever he wants to say so we can get things done.
Looking at the man who destroyed my life, immense rage burns through my veins.
Because he took so fucking long to find us, I lost my brother.
Because he saw Everleigh as a liability, I lost her for four agonizingly long years.
I missed the birth of my son.
I missed his first steps and words.
Because of this man, my mother suffered gravely.
“Vincent,” Viktor says. “You’ve been doing what you want the past few years. Arranging deals I didn’t authorize and promising a bratva princess to the enemy to line your own pockets.”
“That issue has been dealt with,” my father says, a wary expression tightening his features.
“No, it hasn’t,” Viktor mutters. “Did you really think I’d let you do what you want without any consequences?” He lets out a dark chuckle. “I shot Alek for disobeying me. What made you think I wouldn’t demand a pound of flesh for everything you’ve done?”
As a show of respect, my father places his hand on the table, then says, “I’ll pay right here, right now.”
Alexei takes a step forward, and tilting his head, he slowly shakes his head. “You were one of my best men.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Alexei lets out a sigh, “Then you fucked up.” His features grow darker and darker until he levels my father with an expression that gives me chills. “Vincent, your eldest, was doing well with his training at St. Monarch’s. He would’ve been a great asset to the bratva.” He takes another step closer to my father. “If we don’t protect our future, there won’t be one. Because you took matters into your own hands, we lost a good soldier. And as if that wasn’t enough, you attempted to kill an innocent girl and caused your surviving son to lose his fucking mind.”