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“She didn’t, and Nikolai wasn’t happy.” Alex sighs. “After she disappeared without a trace, he began to pester Gareth about taking the other twin, which, of course, he refused. However, Nikolai’s intentions must’ve reached Mia because she kidnapped her other daughter from school. She planned to take you both out of the country and away from her father’s organization.”
“But they found us first.” My eyes well with tears and a hand presses on my thigh.
Asher.
I’d forgotten he was here. My lips pull in a small smile as I take in his silent support.
I didn’t know I needed him beside me until now.
Alex clears his throat, and I focus back on him. “Yes. I assume it was easier for her to run with one, but the two of you slowed her down.”
“Why would…” I suck in a breath. “Why would my grandfather order his only daughter killed?”
“That’s the problem—he didn’t. Nikolai would’ve never hurt Mia no matter how much he threatened to. She must’ve resisted, and her death was an accident—or at least that’s what I thought.”
I shift to the edge of the couch. “What do you mean?”
“After the Russians took your sister and you returned to live with Gareth, he didn’t stop looking into ways to save her. He even had a few spies on the inside. From what we learned, Ivan, Nikolai’s nephew and Mia’s cousin, didn’t like the fact that the Pakhan was handing his business to a girl. Well, and her future husband, but that’s beside the point. Since Mia ran away, he’s been plotting to take Nikolai down, eradicate all his descendants, and take over.”
“You…you think he killed Mom on purpose?”
“I’m almost sure he did. She was in his way and he needed her gone, so he disguised it as if she killed herself.” His eyes soften. “I’m sorry.”
I swallow back the tears, my chest splintering into pieces at the revelation. All Mom ever wanted was to save us from the monstrous life she lived, and she had to pay the price with her life.
“Then why didn’t he kill her daughter, too?” I ask.
“I assume because one of Nikolai’s most trusted men grabbed her first. As soon as she was with her grandfather, even Ivan wouldn’t have been able to hurt her.”
“So Reina is safe with Nikolai?” I whisper.
Alex pauses mid-press of his retractable pen. “I see, so you remember that, too.”
“You knew?” Asher’s snarl causes my limbs to shake more.
“Of course I do.” Alex goes back to clicking his pen. “Gareth was my partner. We shared everything.”
“So Dad knew, too.” My murmur is pained, barely audible.
I figured he’d realize Reina and I switched places, but deep down, I hoped I’d be able to fly under the radar. My hand finds Asher’s on my thigh and I grip it tight like it’s a safety line. I don’t dare look at him, silently hoping for his support. He threads his fingers through mine, and my lower lip trembles at the gesture.
“Yes,” Alex says. “He was happy to get you back.”
My head jerks up. “He…was?”
“Of course. He lived in guilt for letting you and your mother go all those years ago. He searched for you as diligently as Nikolai, but your mom was a professional at running.”
I smile a little before it falls off. “But he lost Reina.”
“Not really.” Alex leans forward in his chair. “Nikolai let him see her now and again when they gathered for business. Gareth also made sure she was living well, and she was. She loved Nikolai and he treated her well, like his princess.”
Oh.
I didn’t know that.
“Why didn’t I get to meet her?” I ask.
“Nikolai’s condition was that if you two got together again, it’d only be under the bratva’s rules. Meaning, you could only reunite with her if Gareth gave you up, too. He wasn’t ready for that.”
