I would have made his death much more painful and last much longer. I’m still cleaning up the mess of the Krupin family. I look into Czar’s blue eyes. I can’t help but wonder if he wishes he could drain all the Russian blood from his body.
Our family’s blood is enough to corrupt the soul. My stomach sours just thinking about it. I’m surprised I’m able to trust anyone after the last seven years.
If not for my wife, I probably wouldn’t. Everyone here has kept their lives because of her. In fact, the four of us have become like brothers in part because of that woman.
Everything we have been through has given us a bond like the one LaSalle and Logan have. I respect each of them.
My family respects nothing. They aim to kill and destroy. We all represent everything they’ve tried to destroy.
“How can you trust?” Alexei murmurs. “You do all this for what? Wash your hands and be done.
“Friends here show you loyalty. Family there try annihilate. Send them to hell and be free.”
“Da, I agree with Alexei. I fault you not for your choice.” Vlad snorts. “I open hell’s gates and pour water for hand wash.”
Czar laughs at the two. I’ve grown to like them both. They are almost as crazy as I am, but we know why. Once again, I want to be angry with Aunt Faina.
However, I know she has done all she has for me. She is the only one of my aunts I could ever trust. I remind myself never to cross her.
Her crazy is a bit different than her sisters’ and brothers’, but not by much. I shake my thoughts off and take in a deep breath.
“I decide nothing tonight. I want to know what Sammy saw. Then I decide,” I say as I stand and leave.
“Good to see you too, my friend,” Alexei calls after me.
“Da, tab on me. I leave in morning. Call if you need.”
“Why is he hesitating? I do for him if he can’t,” I hear Alexei say low to the others.
“He’s not protecting her. It’s because of?—”
I close my eyes and move faster so I don’t have to hear my cousin’s words. Czar is revealing a truth I don’t want to listen to.
I have not gone soft. I’m sure that’s what everyone thinks, but I have not. I will handle this—at the right time.
CHAPTER 17
Help You Relax
Tasha
“Hey,buddy. Did you enjoy your party?”
“Yeah, Mom, it was awesome. Thanks for the hoverboard and tablet.”
The adorable smile on his face makes my heart swell. I’m so happy he had a good time. It was good to have everyone here and to see Sammy having fun; it truly made me and LaSalle happy.
“You’re welcome. Did you tell everyone what it is you wanted?”
He shakes his head. “No, I didn’t get a chance, but I will. I will get to them one by one,” he says in that ominous tone of his, making me more curious about this request.
For now, I shrug it off. “I have one more gift for you. I think this one will help.”
I ordered this and had it delivered express so he would have it tonight. I thought of it after he had his episode. I hand him the package and watch him smile as he tears the paper away.
“Thanks, Mom,” he says as he looks up at me with a smile.
“I thought of your mom’s letters and figured the pens and notebooks would come in handy. Maybe if you write down what you see, it will help you to sort through the times when things are jumbled and fuzzy.”
