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I turned my gaze toward him. “You can drop the act, Uncle.”
My uncle’s eyes widened. “What are you talking about, Alyosha?”
“It’s Aleksey Fyodorovich when I’m talking about business,” I growled, reminding him that I didn’t care for the endearing name from his lying lips.
“Apologies.” He dipped his head. “But Raissa Antonovna is here. Is this really the time for us to be discussing business?”
“It is.” I tossed my drink back bitterly. “Because I think this is an opportunity for us all to be honest with each other.”
“Alyosha, what are you talking about?” Mother asked.
“Uncle Misha has plans to take what is rightfully mine.”
He stared at me for a moment before breaking out into a laugh. “Is this a joke, Alyosha? Because it isn’t very funny.”
“I agree,” I said. “It’s not funny. But you must admit, Uncle, things look awfully suspicious for you. I mean, Father dies, and you marry Mother before his body is even cold in the ground. You forbid me from attending his own funeral. You tell me that I’m to marry Elia Tarallo, and now you accuse her of poisoning my thoughts. I just want an honest answer out of you, Uncle. What are you planning?”
“Alyosha,” Mother said. “Alyosha, please. I know it was hard for you not to attend your father’s funeral, but Misha and I felt that you would’ve taken it poorly.”
“Iwould’ve taken it poorly?” I turned my gaze towards her. “Did neither of you think that I mightwantto be at his funeral? To have some closure?”
“We just thought that…” Mother laced her fingers and shook her head. “After that unpleasant affair with…with…”
Let’s fly away together, Aleks. Just you and me.The ghost returned, and I stared daggers at my mother, daring her to say the name.
She looked up, and tears were swimming in her eyes. “With Svetlana.”
A single word, a single name, and that was all that it took to bring back those horrible memories that I thought I’d forgotten but merely suppressed. The screams. The smells. The feeling of Father’s heavy hands on my shoulder as he whispered in my ear.
Let this be a sharp lesson to you, Alyosha. Never forget this.
“It wasyou?” I asked quietly. “You were the one who convincedhimto forbid me from attending Father’s funeral?”
“Alyosha, I know you.” Mother took my hand in hers. “I know how you would have reacted. I’ve seen it in you since you were just a little boy. You would’ve wanted to hurt your father. To curse his memory. And as much as your father and I had our differences, I truly believed that he deserved a singular moment of peace.”
“A singular moment you didn’t want me to ruin.” I snatched my hand from her grip. “And how long had you been fucking him before Father died?”
“Aleksey, enough!” Uncle Misha stood up. “I will not have you speak to your mother like this!”
“You are my uncle and my subordinate, Mikhail Yevgenievich,” I snarled. “You have no right to tell me what to do. I know what you’re planning behind my back.” I glanced back at Mother. “And maybe she knows it too.”
“Stop it!” Mother tried to grab my hand again, but I refused her offer. “You are my son, my flesh and blood! You were once a part of me. Or have you forgotten that, Alyosha?”
“I want you both to leave.” I turned away from them and fought to keep my voice even. “Now.”
I half expected a protest of some sort. But nothing came. Not even a sniffle from my mother. Years of responding to my father’s capricious whims had taught her better than to argue. They’d taught her that compliance was the only way.
Footsteps carried them to the door and I heard it close. Only then did I turn around. And found my uncle was still standing inside.
“You’re a fool, nephew,” he said. “I would never go against your father, against this Bratva, or against you. Even if you insult me. Even if you break your mother’s heart.”
“Do you think that you’re swaying me right now?”
“No.” He boldly took a step forward, smirking. “I don’t think I’m capable of doing anything other than making you hate me. Even if I’m completely innocent. Even if I’ve tried to tell you how you’re fucking up everything that your father was working for.”
“Then why don’t you tell me, Uncle?” I snarled. “The more you keep this information to yourself, the less I’m inclined to trust you!”
“I had hoped to tell youandyour wife in person.”
