Her world faltered. “What?”
“You will stay here. I have put Rurik in charge of my affairs.”
“What?” It was the only word that could be processed. There was never any talk of leaving Russia. This was their lifeblood. Five generations of families.
“I’ll only be taking the boys and your mother if she wants.”
Her brows knit as her mind raced in a million different directions. “Papa. You can’t just leave. This doesn’t make any sense. Did something happen? Is someone coming after us?”
He gave her zero answers, staring at something she couldn’t see.
“I deserve an answer. Kira isn’t even married. What is she going to do?”
The topic of Kira’s failed engagement only annoyed Yakov, and he clenched his teeth. “I certainly tried. The fucking wolf regrets it now.”
Luerna bowed her head.
“Why are you leaving, Papa?”
“It doesn’t matter why. It’s the decision I’ve made. It will require you to look over your sisters to ensure they continue on the path I have paved for them and yourself.”
Luerna panted heavily through her nose but stayed silent.
“You’re angry,” Yakov observed, blowing smoke between his nostrils. “You aren’t happy with your situation.”
Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. For a moment, it almost sounded like he cared.
“Is happiness relevant to the success of our family?”
A wall was erected instantaneously, and all emotion was cut off from her face. With a tight back, she replied, “No.”
“Rurik is beneficial to us. He has helped this family in more ways than one, and I have no regrets marrying him to you. I chose you for the simple fact that out of all of my daughters, you would be the one capable of handling him. So, if you don’t like what he does, find ways to punish him. But never interfere with this family’s success.”
She was spiteful in this instance and lashed out before she could stop it. “I have given everything for this family.”
“As you should have. You think I have given any less?”
“Of course not, but–”
“You think your brothers won’t be doing their part? They are young yet, but their time is coming. It is not happiness that makes our family great. It is not happiness that keeps you alive.” Yakov stood, stomping out his cigar on the table. “This mentality is your mother’s doing,” he mumbled with bitterness. Yakov turned back to her and had her stand to hold her arms. A long pause followed a longing shining in his eyes for a moment. “Show me you can handle Rurik; keep him loyal and sated. And your rewards will be plenty.”
Luerna sat there long after her father left. She wanted to scream at him. ‘What rewards?’ She had seen nothing yet. All she got was more misery. She was beginning to think he was lying. Would her father do such a thing? To anyone, she would say ‘yes, in a heartbeat.’ But not to his daughter. Not to the one that looked like his dead sister.
“Mama!”
Luerna straightened and composed herself. She believed in her father. He wouldn’t make her suffer for no reason. He loved her. So she would continue to follow the path he’s marked for her. Even if it led her into hell.
Chapter seven
Escape
Luernasatinthelimo, looking nervously out the window at the big, tall buildings of the city. She barely came to Moscow because it stressed her. There were too many people, and loud noises and claustrophobia set in the longer they drove. It was unlike home in so many ways. But it was her sister’s bachelorette weekend, and nothing was going to hinder her, especially not her husband. Her phone vibrated in her hand, and though she knew it would be Rurik, she feared it was Tatianna who had volunteered to watch her grandchildren for the night. Luerna never spent the night away from her children and doubted her mother could handle them all, but Silvia promised she’d stay.
The text message read,‘What kind of woman goes out and abandons her children? Pathetic.’
Luerna put her phone on silent and stuffed it in her purse. She would have to trust Silvia, if only for her sanity.
Kira was watching the city with wide eyes and a grin. She was on the cusp of a new life, and Luerna wouldn’t dare ruin the excitement. But she secretly felt sorry for her. It felt a little like she was leading her little sister to slaughter.
