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He rolls his eyes and leads our mother back to the chair in front of the casket.
I rake a hand through my hair at the same time I catch a pained glance from Natasha where she’s seated between Tori and Nikolai. A deep sigh expels from my lungs, and I storm out of the viewing room, headed toward the back entrance of the funeral home for some air.
“Luka.” A heavily accented voice interrupts my tortured thoughts.
I turn to see an old friend of my father’s, Boris Vetrov, standing behind me.
“Boris,” I say. “Thanks for coming.”
“I’m so sorry about what happened. I wasn’t able to make it to the wedding because I was still in Europe, but I cut my trip short when I heard the news.” His blue eyes darken. “Do you have any idea who could have done this?”
“I’ve got some suspicions. And when I can prove them, there will be hell to pay.”
He gives a solemn nod. “If you need anything at all, you just ask. I will help however I can. I owe you for what you did for me and my business partners up in New York a few months ago. Massimo and Patrick send their regards as well. We’re all here for you. Anything you need.”
“I appreciate that,” I say.
Boris takes a deep breath and looks around before pulling an envelope from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “Luka, the real reason I came here to find you is because there’s something you need to see. Your father sent this to me with instructions that if anything happened to him, I would bring it straight to you. I’ll wait for your call."
He hands me the envelope, his forehead creasing with concern. “And one more thing. You need to marry that girl as soon as possible.”
With one final clap on the shoulder, he turns on his heel and walks out of the funeral home.
I turn the envelope over in my hands. The seemingly innocuous white paper sears the tips of my fingertips because of what I’m afraid is sealed inside….and what Natasha might have to do with it.
I lean back against a wall, scrubbing a hand down the front of my face.
Two coffins.
Two bodies.
One toxic fucking legacy.
And now it’s all mine.
