Sighing, in still trying to put the pieces together, I’d come to realize that my own father and uncle had known about Selena from day one. That’s why they’d both tried to discourage mefrom marrying her. I’d thought it was about some crazy notion she wasn’t good enough for me.
They’d known what could happen.
And it had.
Elena dropped her head into her hands. “I’m so sorry. When she learned of your existence, she was insistent on finding out about everyone in the family. She had no other family than me and I never told her the real truth about her mother. She didn’t know the horrors Katerina had been through. I wasn’t about to ruin her life. I thought it would be a passing phase. Then she ran into you and I think from day one she was in love.”
“All the years I’d suffered thinking I was the reason for her death. That the bullet was meant for me. That’s not true. Is it?”
A single sob left her throat. “I don’t think so. They needed my Natasha to fulfill an obligation and would have stopped at nothing to bring her back. When you married, she was considered sullied. I know the monster. He would want her killed for what he called a betrayal.”
“Because Katerina died.”
My comprehension surprised her. When she whispered her answer, her lower lip trembled. “Yes. She was about to be married to the monster and she couldn’t take it. I tried to stop her but couldn’t. She killed herself. It was all such a horrible tragedy. All I could do was to protect Natasha.”
I could tell she was lying, but I knew exactly why she was. Too many people had died because of the need for power.
“I finally fell in love with another woman. She’s beautiful and so intelligent, compassionate beyond means and for some reason, she fell in love with me. I don’t know why since I’m such a fucking asshole and have been for years. She was taken along with my daughter because of this horrible secret and this rift between members of my family.”
“Oh, no. Sasha.”
“I’m certain they’re in Moscow and I will get them back.” A part of me wanted to be angry with her, but the fury would be misguided. She was as much of a victim as Selena… as Natasha had been. Maybe more so because of the chances she’d taken to protect her niece.
“Yuri is a very dangerous and vindictive man. If they have this woman and my great-niece, you will not likely see them ever again.”
“I know the story of the rift and the wars, but I just don’t care. I will see them again and bring them to safety. And do you want to know why?”
“Because Selena gave her blessing to love again.”
“Yes, and because Nina has not yet met her great-aunt. That’s soon to change.”
CHAPTER 26
Sasha
This timeI’d called the meeting of the family.
This time I’d asked… No, I’d demanded that everyone be there.
As soon as I climbed from the car, Bernie flanked my side. “How are you holding up, sir?”
“You don’t need to call me sir and you can take some time off, Bernie. I can take care of myself.”
“No can do, sir. I work for you now and anything I can do to help bring Ms. Rose back safely, I’m going to fucking do. Forgive my French.”
Grinning, I stared at Mikhail’s house as I ripped off my sunglasses. “You can curse all you want, my friend.” Danny had joined in the fray, also eager to get some payback for what had happened with Lainey.
“I’m sorry I failed you. It won’t happen again.”
Exhaling, I turned toward him. “You didn’t fail me at all. Someone else did.”
He looked relieved. The man had been carrying the burden for days. “Do you want me to go inside with you?”
“I think this is better handled alone. You don’t need the added fireworks.”
“Whatever you say, boss.”
Almost as soon as I knocked on the door Bristol answered it. She had a pained look on her face. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
