“Mom, I know what happened.” I probably shouldn’t tell her but she’s still my mom and she has a right to know. This will change her life as much as mine.
“What?”
“Mikhail Novikoff killed him.”
She blinks before she jerks back. “What? How do you know this? And how do you know Mikhail Novikoff.”
“He was here at the funeral. And he met me at the theater one night. The night of Dad’s death, actually.”
“Is something going on?”
“He wants to marry me.”
“No,” she says abruptly. “Just no.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s a dangerous man. He worked with your father. Was friends with him so Lev never saw what I saw. But Mikhailis dangerous. He delights in killing people. I’ve seen it firsthand. That’s a man I would never trust with you.”
“He gave me a choice. I could marry Antoni, who’s a known rapist, or I could marry him. And he would kill Antoni for me and so none of my sisters had to marry him either. I’m going to have to marry him, Mom. He’s going to come back for me.”
“Oh my god.” She burrows her head in her hands. “I can’t believe this.”
“I’m sorry. I know it’s not ideal. He scares me a little. But he could help us against Denis. He doesn’t like him. He’s not loyal to him. And you said it yourself, he was friends with Dad. He can help take Denis down. Maybe even give you your power back. Keep my sisters safe.”
“Oh, honey. I love that you think that but don’t be naïve. Bratva men want one thing: power. Mikhail is just like all the others. He’s going to do what he must to gain power and marrying you will grant him that. Your father’s loyal men will fall to him because of that.”
“And I can help. Mom, this is a good thing. Wouldn’t you prefer me to be married to a man who’s loyal to Dad rather than Denis.”
She hesitates then nods. “You’re not wrong. I’m just not ready to lose you yet.”
“We both knew this day was coming. It just came sooner than we both expected.” I lower my voice even though Denis isn’t here to hear. “He’s coming for me tonight.”
“I don’t want this to happen.”
“What other choice do we have? I marry a man Denis wants? No. Just like you, I don’t trust him.”
“But I don’t trust Mikhail.”
“Neither do I. But… it’s the only choice. I have to do what I can to save this family and I believe this is the way.”
She sighs. “I hope you’re right. I really hope you’re right.”
Denis returns within the hour, upset and shouting into his phone.
“What’s going on?” Sasha asks, appearing on the stairs.
“Antoni has disappeared. No one knows where he went. He’s loyal to me. He wouldn’t just take off like that which means someone killed him. And I have to find out who.”
Mom and I share a look. Neither of us offer up any information to Denis.
Tonight, I’m going to be leaving to be the wife of Mikhail Novikoff, a man I barely know, in the hopes of saving my family.
I wake up in my bed to the feeling of someone watching me. Someone’s in the corner of my room.
With a gasp, I turn on the light and sit up.
It’s Mikhail himself.
