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“Dad, Uncle Kristian saved my life tonight.” Zenya bites her lip as if surprised by how quickly she’s sprung to my defense.
I squeeze her in my arms, hugging her in silent thanks for standing up for me. Zenya glances at me uncertainly, but I give her a reassuring smile. I’m not here to fight. I’m here for her.
Without seeming to realize she’s doing it, Zenya strokes the nape of my neck as she gazes at me, her lower lip softening.
“I’ll take you upstairs and call you a doctor. I’ll be back in a moment, Troian,” I say over my shoulder as I carry her out of the room.
“I—” She squeezes me tighter, confusion raging in her eyes, but she falls silent as we climb the stairs.
Her bedroom hasn’t changed since I’ve been gone. She sleeps in the same canopied bed made of dark polished wood with a blue bedspread the same shade as her eyes. The thick carpet is cream and so are the net curtains.
“Is Nader still the family doctor?” I ask Zenya, laying her on the bed. My knee sinks into the mattress as I hover over her. She nods, and I run my forefinger down a lock of her ashy blonde hair. She’s so beautiful that I can’t tear my eyes away from her. Even more beautiful than before.
“Uncle Kristian, my ankle, and Dad’s waiting for you.”
Reluctantly, I get out my phone to make the call. Doctor Nader has been looking after this family since Zenya was a baby, and he’s made dozens of house calls over the years. He sounds half asleep when he answers the phone, but he promises to be right over without complaint. He has no need to complain. Troian keeps him on a generous retainer.
“He’ll be right here,” I tell my niece, and reach for the button on her jeans.
Zenya clutches my wrist. “What are you doing?”
Our faces are very close together, and I murmur, “Helping you undress. I’ve already done it once tonight. Let’s not take two steps back, princess.”
She pushes my hands away, her cheeks burning. “I told you, we’re pretending that never happened. Go talk to Dad.”
I smile and stroke my finger down her cheek. She cares what happens between me and Troian tonight. That means she wants me to stay. “I’ll make sure everything is sorted out at the warehouse. Call the men’s families. You’re not to worry anymore tonight. I’ll come and kiss you goodnight after Doctor Nader leaves.”
I leave her on her bed, gazing at me apprehensively. I would like aThank you, Uncle Kristian, but she’s still hesitant to give me her gratitude.
It doesn’t matter. Soon enough, I’ll have everything I want.
I wait by the front door until I hear a knock so I can let Doctor Nader in and point him upstairs, then I return to the living room.
Troian has gotten to his feet and is standing in front of the empty fireplace. It’s the most impressive place in the room, but it doesn’t escape my notice that he’s clinging to the mantelpiece with one hand in case his legs give out.
I stand in the middle of the room with my hands in my pockets, gazing at him. “How bad is it this time?”
The cancer.
From the looks of my brother, he’s got one foot in the grave.
“It’s been rough, but I’m stronger than I look.” Troian glares at me. “Why are you back? I changed my will two years ago, and it’s final. I’m leaving you nothing.”
“I’m well aware of that. I didn’t come back for your money. I’m back for my niece.”
The truth.
A lie.
And my destiny.
Troian’s fortune is not as safe as he thinks it is if he still plans on giving everything to his daughter.
“Zenya is doing fine without you. That girl has been flourishing.”
“Zenya was seconds away from being torn to pieces when I found her tonight, and from what I heard, those men were going to take their time about it. ThePakhan’sown daughter. It seems that people are no longer afraid of Belyaev retribution. I wonder why that could be?”
I let my gaze run meaningfully over Troian’s wasted frame.
