AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t understand how…” I lose my train of thought out of nowhere.
“I know. It’s a lot to process. Our father was killed, Xava. He was killed by the man who wanted his power. Our family has been in this business for almost two hundred years. We’ve always had ties to the criminal world, and this is how we provide for ourselves. I don’t expect you to jump into the family business the way Eset has. We grew up knowing what the Umarova name was known for. You were only thrown into it a year ago. I’m not going to pressure you to join the family business. All I want is for you to be happy, go to school, and pursue whatever dream you have.”
I shake my head, absorbing everything he’s telling me. “I don’t even know what I want to do.”
“That’s all right. You don’t need to rush. What do you think about everything I’ve said to you?”
“I… I don’t know. I’m a bit shocked, if I’m being honest. I never thought that… I never thought our family could be capable of such things.”
“We’re not going around killing people, Xava. We run a business. Sure, sometimes people get hurt when they cross us, but I promise you if that happens, it is one thousand percent warranted.”
I see it now. I see how the rumors of my family being dangerous are true.
“I’m going to need time to process this,” I blurt out. Ruslan’s going to have to understand just how big of a shock this is. I don’t even know what sort of questions I would have for him yet. I’m speechless about this whole thing.
“That’s fine. Take as much time as you need for this. Um, Amelia was talking to me earlier about how you may be looking for an apartment. You’ve been staying with Nazyr for a very long time, and I imagine you’d like your own space better.”
I didn’t realize Amelia had already talked to Ruslan about this. Then again, I guess there isn’t really much of anything that he doesn’t know about. “Yeah, Amelia chatted with me when I came in earlier. She’s arranging for Emily to show me a few places in a few days.”
“Good.”
There’s an awkward silence filling the space between us. I suck in a long, deep breath, and anxiety skyrockets through me. I think I just need to get out of here and go somewhere to relax for a while. As I’m thinking about it, I stand up. “I need to go.”
I don’t even let Ruslan respond before I leave his office and search for Rolando. I need to get out of here.
Chapter Seven
Ambros
“Sir, I don’t know if you were expecting your father and mother, but they are here,” Marsala tells me out of nowhere.
I’m making myself a much-needed espresso over ice in the kitchen. The day has been long, and I completed a job last night in France before flying back to Greece. Most of the day has been spent looking at new projects. “They showed up unannounced?”
“Yes, sir. They did.” Marsala presses her lips together in a light slash, showing her disapproval. I’m aggravated with their antics as well. Not so much my mother since she means well most of the time. My father, on the other hand, is an entirely different story.
“Where are they right now?”
“I have them seated in the open-concept living area out back. I even made them both a drink. The last I checked, they were chatting with one another.”
“Mmm, thank you. How does my father seem?”
“May I speak freely?”
“Marsala, I only ever want you to speak freely.” She’s worked for me for many years now, longer than anyone I’ve had previously. The only way she’s been able to do that is by maintaining a level of trust with me. Whenever there’s been an issue, she’s the first one to come to me and notify me. Others I’ve had working for me have tried handling things themselves, which isn’t their job. I’m the one who needs to maintain order with everyone underneath me, not them. It’s why I don’t have anyone in management positions.
“He seems like he’s up to something. I don’t know what it is, and I didn’t overhear anything specific. He just looks… like there’s a reason he’s here. Your mother, on the other hand, seems happy to have the opportunity to see you.”
I have been traveling a lot lately and haven’t spoken with my parents too much, besides the phone call I recently had with my mother.
After thinking back to that phone call, I debate if my father is the one up to no good or if it’s my mother. I told her I’d arrange a meeting with my father and how long have I been home for, maybe twelve hours? I’ll put my money on the fact she’s the one who decided to stop by unannounced. My father probably wants to speak to me about whatever agenda he’s currently contemplating, but this has to be my mother’s doing.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“Of course. Enjoy your drink. I’ll go check on your parents and see if they’d like me to get them anything to eat.” Marsala walks out of the kitchen and heads back to where my parents wait.
I slowly sip on the bitter yet sweet espresso until I’m finished. Before I even finish the cup, I’m much more alert than I was a short while ago.
I head outside where my parents are and see they’re sipping on alcoholic beverages Marsala likely made for them. “Are either of you hungry?” It’ll be a good starting point for our conversation.
