AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What can I do?”
“Serena.” I am blunt and note how her eyes widen.
“What about her?”
“She’s leaving?” For a moment, she stares at me in confusion and then the light shines in her eyes as she whispers, “And you’re unhappy about that.”
“I am.” I play it cool and hate that I’m using Serena to distract my mother from her grief, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t in my own interests too.
She nods and takes my arm.
“Then we should pay her a visit.”
Ana smiles and mouths, ‘thank you’ as we leave her with Mikhail and head back along the path toward the guest house.
“Tell me about her.” Mama says softly and I wonder where to even begin.
“She was a stranger a few hours ago who I offered a ride to Australia.”
I shrug as she chuckles softly.
“Still playing your games, I see.” She rolls her eyes as I shake my head.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I wink, which causes her face to relax a little, and she grins.
“But this one backfired, perhaps.” She says hopefully and I shrug.
“I’m still working that out.”
“And she must leave. Why?”
“Her family is mafia, and they want her back.”
“Mafia.” Mama sighs. “Now I understand. What is her family name?”
“Vieri.”
She shakes her head.
“One of the best. I will prepare to be impressed.”
She falls silent, and it’s as if she is somewhere else entirely, and then she sighs heavily.
“Why is she going to Australia?”
“Her mom lives there.”
“And her father?”
“Is dead. Apparently, he ordered a hit on his family, and they got there first.”
“And her mom, why is she in Australia?”
Mama doesn’t bat an eyelash, reminding me this is normal life for a Romanov.
“She divorced her father and married a man called Joseph Stoner. They live in Australia and, ironically, he is my business there.”
Mama stops and stares at me with a confused expression.
