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“I buried my brother, and now I will bury my father. It would be an inconvenience to have to bury you as well.” I gulp down my frustration and realize I don’t want these blood-sucking vultures in my house any longer.
Reaching for my gun in the waistband of my pants, I try to think about what my father would want. Would he sacrifice his mental being for the feeling of security, or would he place a bullet in the center of his skull for the bother he’s causing? I guess I’ll never know.
Before I can stop myself from speaking my irrational thoughts aloud, I say, “I want everyone out of this fucking house besides Lev, Adrian, and Dimitri. Until the rest of you can prove to me that you will respect me, you are dead to me.”
Men who aren’t on my side don’t benefit me in any way. The ones who live in this house will continue to get in the way of my business. With Father gone, I can finally avenge my brother. I don’t care whose blood I have to spill in the process.
They swallow the little pride they have left and walk down the dark hallway with their heads bobbing between their hunched shoulders. If their steps were any heavier, I’d call them out for acting like children who didn’t get their way. They’re adults and shouldn’t act as if my father’s death is inconvenient for them. Hell, if it weren’t for Pavel, they’d be sitting in some alleyway holding out a metal can asking for spare change.
Once they disappear around the sharp corner, I stop and look at Lev. “I don’t need to talk to Mia to understand Pavel already started his plans in New York. Tell the man to pack their shit—we are leaving tonight.” With my hands held by my side, I brush past him and swear under my breath. “And don’t forget to gather everything Kirill had onKoldunya. I’m sure Ludis is hiding her out in New York.”
With a final glance at the wooden door keeping my father hidden from the world, I realize I’ll never be able to set foot in this house without feeling like the good memories are now tainted. Anya’s loud, high-pitched snickers echo through the halls as if they were always a dream and nothing more.
These walls will never hold another happy memory now that both Kirill and Pavel are gone. They made this house a home. Without them, it’s just four concrete slabs holding up a roof. Nothing here will ever be enjoyed again. The sheets will never be slept in. The coffee machine won’t run at an ungodly hour anymore. The piano keys will never sound again.
Nature might as well take over this land because I want nothing more to do with it. A part of me died with this house and my family members. A part of me I don’t wish to ever get back.
CHAPTER3
SLOANE
Present day ...
I’ve memorized the number of steps it’ll take him to get to my room just from the sound of his heavy boots slamming into the wooden floor.
My heart beats rapidly as I rush to look outside. Kneeling to the floor, my fingers hold up my weight. Through the blinds, I see three blacked-out cars pull up in the driveway. The headlights shine through the window, making my pitch-black room bright with a warm yellow glow. Men step out and look at the house. They’re all wearing fancy suits that look expensive enough to cover our mortgage. They scan the house as if they’ve never been here before, but they have.
They come here all the time. What makes this time any different?
When their attention drifts to the side of the house where my bedroom is, I duck down quickly to make sure they don’t see me. I was only ever allowed to seeoneperson, but not the rest. My hands curl and I place them across my chest, and my breath shakes while I maintain my focus on the silver doorknob.
Dad walks in with my brother, Alek. He starts talking in Russian, but my dad yells at him. I watch them exchange angry looks.
“Sloane, you know the drill. Do not make a sound, and do not leave this room.”
I’ve memorized the drill. Ever since I was little, those three cars have come to our home once a month. I know what my dad does. I may be sheltered, but I’m not an idiot.
“I know.”
He kisses the top of my head and closes the door softly.
I crouch to the floor and place my ear to the small gap along the bottom. On the off chance one of them will speak loudly enough, I want to be able to hear it. I’m a nosy son of a bitch. I just can’t help myself.
Their voices are deep. They don’t sound like the men who normally come by here. The way they speak to one another makes it sound as if they’re arguing.
I lie like this for so long I start drifting off to sleep, but the door that slams right into my head wakes me up instantly.
“Shit, I’m sorry,” Ruslan says, helping me up from the ground. He wears a different expression from the one I’ve been accustomed to. It’s almost as if worry is gnawing at him. His slicked-back blond hair is tousled, and his cheek bones are more prominent than usual due to the lack of a smile on his face.
“It’s all right.” I smile brightly at him.
“It’s Friday. Why aren’t you dressed?”
Friday. Family dinner. I don’t know how I forgot. “It must have slipped my mind.”
He shoots me a questioning look and mumbles under his breath, “I’ll send Ingret up. And don’t forget my fight is tonight if you still want to tag along.”
I nod, trying to keep my excitement at bay. Ruslan is the only one who lets me leave the house. If Dad ever found out, I’m sure he’d have a heart attack.
