Page 93 of Lord of the Underworld

Chapter Forty-Two

In which we did not see this coming.

Vadim…

"I'd like to speak with your mother."

Nikolai frowns, a little puzzled. "Of course, I'll show you to her office."

Sofia is sitting in the greenhouse attached to her office, sipping a cup of tea. She's staring at a thick potted bush with blush-colored roses. They're vivid against the snow-covered courtyard outside.

"Sofia Vasilieva," I say. "Good afternoon."

"My son-in-law. What brings you here today?" she asks, gesturing at the seat across from her.

"A meeting with the new Pakhan," I say, seating myself.

She's wearing black, an appropriate dress that befits her as one of the high-ranking widows of the Six Families.

"I find myself curious," I say, watching her closely.

"How so?" she says, her eyes still focused on the roses.

"Your daughter and I have had many spirited games of chess," I say. There’s a little smile curving her lips, just a tiny one that she covers with another sip of tea. "She's very good. She told me that you had taught her."

"Yes," she says proudly. "Oksana was always a clever little girl. She learned quickly."

"There seems to be some confusion," I continue, "about the offer of an alliance by marriage between our families."

"Oh?" Her smile is courteous and well bred.

"My father says the offer came from your husband, the late Pakhan."

Hatred flashes so quickly over her expression that I almost don't catch it.

"Whereas Oksana is under the impression that my family had extended the offer." I wait, letting the silence stretch out until she's ready.

"I watched you care for my daughter after the wedding," she says softly, looking at the roses again. "After Yefim - that pig - attacked her. Benedikt had kept him close, all those years. One rotted soul feeding off the other."

Sofia's voice is mild, and gentle. She's talking in the same way you'd use to share a fairy tale.

"She's my only daughter, you see. At first, I was sure I could keep her safe by having her stay in Chicago. I convinced Benedikt that it would be less troublesome, that she would be out of the way."

She puts her teacup down and looks me in the eye. "He promised my daughter, my precious girl, to that rapist."

"Then, you came up with the plan," I nod. "Why my family?"

"Because you had already saved her once, Vadim Turgenev," she says softly. "I know you rescued her from Grishchenkov. Benedikt intended to leave her there, to suffer and die because she would be more useful as a pawn." Voice crackling painfully, she takes a deep breath and goes on.

"You saved her once. I knew you would do so again. The Turgenev Bratva is extremely powerful, of course. I worried, I was worried sick, actually, that there might be a question of whether or not you would be willing to accept the offer."

"And we did, Sofia Vasilieva." There’s a smile tugging on my lips. "Your plan was flawless."

"Vadim Turgenev, my daughter's work in Chicago is important," she says.

My brow raises. "You knew?"

"Of course," she says. "Who do you think directed her to Yvette Marceau? I came into this marriage with money of my own. I've been funneling funds into the rescue effort for four years. I know that it can't continue on the way it has, but please, help her find some way that she can continue her work."