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“Let me tell you about my father. For decades, Todd Rogers was a powerful man in both body and mind. He liked having three vicious animals for sons. I don’t doubt he gained great amusement out of their cruel antics.”
Fiona strokes Gatsby’s head. “And he always loved beautiful, cold women. They were like cats, grooming themselves all day, never doing anything useful. But now, my father is frail. Those vicious attack dogs could tear out his throat. They were no longer so amusing. And his pretty kitty likes to trip him up. A man his age can’t handle falls. She’s become dangerous to him.”
Before I can respond, Fiona tugs the cello in front of her as if for a security blanket. “Did you know Ashley ran off? Left a bunch of her stuff, too.”
“I didn’t know that, no.”
Fiona squints hard on me. “I did that, Eagle, by planting a seed in Father’s head. Larry’s head, too. Now, she’s gone.”
“She was a threat to you.”
Nodding, Fiona says, “Yes. Larry is, too. Father said my brother does a lot of drugs. Larry’s no good and dangerous. Perhaps my brother knows he’s in danger. Last night at dinner, Larry talked about traveling. He’ll be gone soon.”
I consider Fiona’s words and how she’s maneuvered herself into a safer position at the estate. “I have no problem with you fucking with those evil sons of bitches. But you’re naïve to think you can control a man like Todd Rogers.”
“My father stares death in the face now. He removed the threats from his life, yet he doesn’t want to be alone. Unlike his employees, I have his blood in my veins. And I suspect my father views me as a harmless lapdog. I give him what he requires without threatening his safety. That’s all he wants as he waits for the end.”
“What do you get out of it?”
“I deserve my father’s estate,” Fiona says and closes her eyes. “My brothers and that sister I didn’t know about, they all had easy lives. My happy childhood was stolen from when I moved away with Zaja. Now, I’ll never get a normal life. My father’s choice to send me away ruined me. I’ve earned his fortune. It’s only fair.”
“What if Todd keeps you around and then ends you when he loses interest? He’s not a good man.”
“I’m always afraid, Eagle. Every morning, I wake up thinking I’m going to die. When I was very little, Zaja started warning how I would end up broken and ruined. Nothing ever went right for me except for Irina. She was the mom I wanted. The best friend I ever had. The caretaker for when I got sick. She did everything for me. If I can survive my father, I can offer her the freedom she deserves.”
Fiona’s voice is weak until she adds, “Besides, if I outlive Father and get the estate, I’ll be a better ally to your club than Larry. Best-case scenario, everyone wins. Worst case is I end up dead. But I could end up dead just from tripping over my own feet. My plan is worth the risk.”
“And Irina doesn’t know any of this?”
“No, she would get too nervous and try to hide me away. She really is a wonderful mother,” Fiona says and smiles. “She has an unbreakable love. She was willing to protect me from my large brothers, even when she was pregnant and scared. She can’t help herself. When she really loves someone, it consumes her. That’s why she needs a strong man like you who can protect her, even from herself.”
Sighing deeply, I know Irina will fall apart when she realizes Fiona won’t move in with us.
“It’ll be alright,” Fiona says as she searches for the cello’s bow.
Handing it to her, I can’t accept the future she paints. “Irina needs you.”
“When you visited with your club friends that day, Armor told me how his house would take at least six months to build. Even if you started today, Clementine will be born before you finish. Over that time, we’ll ease Irina into the idea.”
“I’m still building you a space at the house, so you can visit or move in if things don’t go right with your father.”
“Fair enough. I also think we ought to set up nurseries here and at your Pigsty. Irina will be so relieved once she moves into her own home that my absence won’t seem like a big deal.”
Frowning, I shake my head. “Irina gets so wound up when she doesn’t see you.”
“Those sisters, the ones your club friends are married to, they are very close, yes?” When I nod, Fiona positions the bow as if to start playing. “They don’t live together, right? However, they’re always together. Irina and I will be that way. Still close and often together, but we’ll have different addresses.”
Fiona runs the bow against the strings before offering me a warm smile.
“Don’t worry about the current situation. Instead, imagine moving into your dream home. At your side will be Irina and Clementine. When the baby is bigger, you can get a dog. Irina told me how you didn’t have a pleasant childhood. This is your second chance, too.”
I decide to do as Fiona requests by both dropping the subject and keeping it between us. The stubborn part of me figures she’ll change her mind once she sees the house.
By then, she’ll be sick of her father. Or he’ll do something to scare her. Whatever the reason, Fiona will move into my house. Irina won’t suffer knowing her best friend/kid is stuck on this estate with an evil man.
Fiona plays for a bit before seeming tired and wanting to rest on the couch. She listens to a stuffy show about rich English people.
“You don’t need to stay with me,” Fiona says, grinning at my awkwardness when the show starts.
