Chapter 61
OCTOBER 31 – FRIDAY 8:59 PM
R en
Tears streamed down my face from laughing as Myles spun me around on the dance floor. I twirled until Blake caught me, and the insanity continued. At least Blake had rhythm and actually danced with me. Myles was like a dying chicken flapping its wings around, but I wouldn’t have him any other way. Blake and I laughed as he swung his suit jacket over his head.
“I better stop him before he does a full striptease,” I yelled, and Blake nodded, laughing.
I signaled to Ivy and Chantry that we were sitting down before I grabbed Myles’s flailing hand and dragged him off the dance floor. Nash, Liam, and Theo were in a very intense game of War when we entered through the velvet ropes. Theo and Nash refused to play poker with Liam, and I couldn’t blame them. I screamed as Nash snatched me around the waist when I walked by and unceremoniously hauled me down onto his lap. Myles almost fell on top of us both.
“Feck man, yer a ballbag,” Myles growled.
“I told you. Princess is mine for the night,” Nash said.
I bit my lip to keep from laughing as Myles cursed like a sailor before grabbing the tablet and ordering another pitcher of water and some fancy fruity drink. Nash’s phone vibrated, and he tensed up when he looked at the screen.
“What’s wrong,” I whispered.
“It’s time,” he said, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
Before I could ask him what he meant, he whistled. The guys turned, their smiles fading as they looked at his face. Nash slowly stood and set me on my feet.
“I need the VIP area.”
“What,” Liam asked, leaning forward. “But….”
“I’ll explain later.”
Liam looked as suspicious as I felt.
“That’s all we get lately. Later, it’s always later,” Blake said.
“Guys, please. I don’t know what’s going on either,” I said, and everyone slowly stood like they had lead in their pockets.
Myles held out his hand for me, and Nash shook his head.
“No, Ren stays with me.” That got another round of uneasy looks.
“What is Mr. Genovese doing here,” Theo asked.
We all turned to see the Don of Dons making his way through the club. I’d only seen him that once, but he was as intimidating as I remembered. People moved out of his way—and the dozen guards following him—like a wave.
“That’s who you’re meeting with,” Liam asked.
“Yes.”
“And you don’t want us here?”
“Not yet.” Nash looked at Liam. “You’ll know before the night is out.”
I thought for sure Liam would argue, instead he nodded as he headed for the rope. Theo, Myles, and Blake followed, but they each gave Nash a look that promised he wasn’t getting out of here tonight without telling them everything.
Mr. Genovese walked up the steps, and the guys ducked their heads in respect and greeting. I had no clue why Nash wanted me here for a meeting with Vicky’s father, but a little warning would’ve been nice. Was he breaking off his engagement to Vicky with me here? That seemed like a recipe for getting us shot on the spot.
Only one guard stayed with Mr. Genovese, but when he lifted his finger, the man stopped and stayed by the rope.
“Nash, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” he said, and all I could think was that Nash was going to hold me in front of him like a shield.
“Likewise, Mr. Genovese.”
“Please, we are past that. You can call me Edmundo.”
I remained quiet, watching the two of them and feeling like Liam as I analyzed every shift in their body language. As his eyes that reminded me of a winter storm found mine, I swallowed hard and held out my hand.
“Mr. Genovese, it’s a pleasure to meet you under more social circumstances,” I said and his lip curved up before he chuckled.
He shook my hand, and a calm feeling washed over me. He might be intimidating but there was a kindness in him that I could just sense.
“You look beautiful, fiore mio ,” he said, and I glanced at Nash.
My Italian was rusty, but I was pretty sure he just called me my flower. If he was a perv and Nash had found a way to sell me, I was going cut off his dick.
“Come, let’s talk,” Mr. Genovese said.
Nash led us to the chairs closer to the window and away from those partying. My heart hammered as we sat down. Everything about Mr. Genovese oozed power and sophistication. Even the way he unbuttoned his jacket before sitting looked like a sign of authority.
Nash was nervous, and that made me more nervous than anything else. He was never worried but he looked like he wanted to run from the room. That told me that whatever he’d done was bad…really bad.
I really want you to remember right now. Please try to forgive me for keeping what I know from you. I had no choice.
“Why don’t we get to know one another a little bit,” Mr. Genovese said, and I wanted to snarl at Nash. I glared at him as I burst from my seat.
“Did you find some loop-hole to sell me? Is this what you meant when you said you’d get me out of the contract with your father? How dare you,” I growled.
“Ren….”
I pointed at him, seeing red. “No wonder you didn’t want the guys to hear this. They’ll never speak to you again. But that’s nothing compared to what I’m going to do. You’re lucky I don’t have a weapon on me.”
“Ren….” Nash tried again.
“All that talk of caring about me. Meanwhile, you’re no better than your father. Selling me off to the highest bidder. Is that how you got the money to pay for all this?”
“Ren, it’s not like that.”
“Really? Ohhhh, that’s right, you had no choice. Screw you, Nash.” I looked over my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mr. Genovese. I’m sure you’re very nice, but Nash had no right.” I moved to leave and get the hell out here, but Nash jumped up. “Get the hell out of my way, Collier. Don’t make me put you on your ass in front of Mr. Genovese because I will do it.”
Mr. Genovese’s laughter sounded rich and deep. When I looked back, he was bent over, laughing so hard that I paused, and my anger took a momentary timeout. I glanced up at Nash, and he was shaking his head.
“You didn’t sell me, did you?”
He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Nope.”
“Well, you certainly have your mother’s fire,” Mr. Genovese said.
I turned around and stared at him.
“My mother?”
He smiled and there was a look in his eye that I recognized. Gasping, I grabbed my purse and found my phone in a mad rush to pull up the information about my mother. I thumbed through the pictures until I found the one I needed. My eyes went back and forth from the old, grainy photo of my mum with a man that I’d never been able to identify to the Don sitting in front of me. Hand shaking, I slowly held out my phone. Mr. Genovese took it and smiled, his eyes warming as he touched the screen.
“That’s you, isn’t it?”
He handed my cell back and then gestured to the small love seat beside where he was sitting. Nash and I walked over and sat like we were on autopilot.
“Yes, that’s me. A very long time ago now. We were seventeen,” he said.
“Oh my god, you…you knew my mum.”
“No…I loved her. I still do. She is part of my soul and always will be,” he said, and my eyes stung with tears.
“I don’t understand.”
“So much lost time,” he said.
Mr. Genovese sat forward on his seat and held out his palm. As soon as I placed my hand in his, he ran his thumb over my knuckles.
“I met Yulianna when we were ten, and from the first moment I saw her, I knew I wanted to marry her. I didn’t care that we were children. When we turned eighteen, I would make her mine. Unfortunately, your grandfather had chosen someone else for your mother.”
“Christov?”
He nodded, his eyes darkening.
“Christov is a bastard. A violent and evil piece of shit that I thought was dead. Now that I know he’s alive, I’ll be swift to rectify the situation. He hurt her…and I can never forgive myself for letting that happen.”
His eyes filled with so much contained rage that I feared for whoever faced him.
“Did you stay in touch with her, Mr. Genovese?”
I was so excited to speak to someone who knew my mum for so long and obviously loved her fiercely.
“A little bit, yes. Please call me Edmundo or Eddie. Maybe…one day something else…” he said cryptically, and reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a letter. “I couldn’t give this to you until your eighteenth birthday,” Eddie said, holding it out. I looked at Nash, but his face gave away nothing.
Taking the envelope, I tore it open, and like confetti, a handful of pictures fell out onto my lap.
“Oh my god.”
They were all pictures of me or me and my mum. Tears ran down my cheeks as, one at a time, I set them on the small table beside the couch. The last one stopped my heart. It was my mum holding me, but it wasn’t Christov kissing my head. It was Eddie.
My hands were shaking so badly that I couldn’t open the paper. Nash reached out and grabbed them.
“Hey…look at me.” I lifted my eyes to his. “Let me.”
Nodding, I let him take the letter and unfold it.
My Beautiful Baby Girl
If you are reading this, then I’m no longer with you. No matter where I am or what has happened, I want you to know that I love you. I’ve loved you with my whole heart my entire life, and I would do anything to protect you.
There are so many things I wish I’d told you. When I learned I was pregnant my heart was filled with so much joy. You have always been my queen, and I can’t believe you’re already eighteen. From the second you were born, you lit up the darkest room. Never lose that, baby. It’s your superpower.
You’ll need it to safeguard your future from the evil that will try to claim you. You see, being my daughter comes with danger, and dear Lord, that scares me for you. But when I look at you I see the strongest person I know, and I was blessed to be your mother.
I made a promise that on the day you turned eighteen, you’d learn the truth. Some of this will be very difficult for you to understand why I hid it from you, but just know that it was never done with malice. All I wanted to do was protect you for as long as I could. I can only pray that you’ll understand and, one day, forgive me for keeping this from you.
We were born into a world filled with twisted lies and vile secrets. Keeping track of them is impossible. Around every corner is someone who will betray you, but some will love you and die for you.
What I tell you next is a story about a love so strong that it couldn’t be broken, no matter the costs.
I, Yulianna Mikhailov, was born into a powerful Russian family. When I was eighteen, I was forced into a contract to marry a man I loathed and who hated me just as much. His name was Christov Ivankov. I swore that I’d get away from him because my love for another was too strong to let go.
You, my amazing daughter, are not Kayleigh Ren Davies or Kayleigh Ren Ivankov. You, baby girl, are the princess shared by two of the most powerful families in the world. You are Lilya Ren Genovese. Edmundo Matteo Genovese is your father.
Nash stopped reading. I covered my mouth as I stared at my biological father. A man I never knew existed. His face was neutral, but his grey eyes held as much pain as was gripping my chest.
“It’s okay, go on,” I said.
I realize this will be hard to accept and I wish with my whole heart that I was there to explain it all to you. Eddie and I fell in love when we were very young, just children really. But from the first moment I looked into his eyes, I knew. I felt it in my soul that he was the one.
We wished for a fairytale life of princes and princesses that was solely made for movies. In reality, our paths are chosen based on money, power, and control.
At that time, Eddie’s family was not what it is today. Eddie fought to become the Don of Dons. He fought to increase his family’s status and their holdings. He fought so that one day, we could be reunited, and no one would stand in our way.
My father chose Christov. His family had political influence in the Russian government. I was only eighteen. Eddie had less to offer then, and no matter what I said, your grandfather wouldn’t change his mind. That was the end of it. I was engaged, but my heart couldn’t be caged by my father’s or even Christov’s rage.
I refused to be told who I could love. What Eddie and I had was…special. It was unbreakable, and by the grace of God, Eddie loved me and all my crazy just as strongly as I loved him. We burned brightest together. Nothing and no one could stop us. I want you to know that you were conceived out of love, and that is all that matters. We wanted you so much that we were willing to risk losing our lives to make it happen.
Please don’t blame Eddie for staying away, that wasn’t what we planned. At the time it was too dangerous for us to remain together. We were young with no money, power, or influence. We would’ve been hunted, and my father, your grandfather Vadin, would’ve killed Eddie. So I waited until I could run with you safely.
When I left Christov, things happened that destroyed my chance of going straight to Eddie. Instead, I took you into hiding and chose to give you a life that I never had. I wanted you to grow up just like any other kid.
That meant hiding you from Eddie. I didn’t dare let anyone know where we were, and it broke my heart every single day to do it, but as I said, I would do anything to protect you.
Fate is strange, and at one of my art shows in Vancouver, Eddie walked in as a buyer. We stared at one another in complete shock. He had no idea where I was, and I didn’t know he was coming. My heart beat again at the sight of him. He’d spent years searching for us, and I should’ve died for what I’d done to him, to us. A lesser man would’ve killed me and taken you, but Eddie told me he still loved me. He understood why I hid and forgave me. We stayed together in Vancouver for the night and I’ve never cried so hard as when I left the next morning.
You were only eleven, and we decided then that we would keep this secret until you were eighteen. I wanted you old enough to hear the truth, understand it, and then make your own choices. Eddie and I promised that, as tempting as it was, he would not reach out until your eighteenth birthday.
But, baby girl, please know we didn’t do it to hurt you. We so badly wanted you to grow up without fear, rules, and politics clouding your every move. We let you grow your wings and fly. Most of all…we wanted you to be happy.
I’m so, so sorry that I’m not there in person to tell you this, but I know Eddie is, or you wouldn’t be reading this letter. Just in case something happened to me, I sent your father this envelope to keep safe until your birthday. I’m sure you’re hurt and angry, and you have every right to be. But when you’re ready, I am begging you to please give Eddie a chance to be in your life. He is more than a good man. He is a great man. You’re so much like him, and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’re becoming.
I love you, my baby girl. I always have, and I always will, no matter what.
I love you too, Eddie. My heart has only ever beat for you.
Take care of each other.
Mum
Nash folded up the letter and pulled the last piece of paper out of the envelope. Even through my tears, I recognized a birth certificate.
I ran my fingers over our names and slowly raised my eyes to Edmundo’s. Now that I really looked, I could see myself in him.
“I’m sorry I missed so much of your life, fiore mio . Every day without you and your mother has been excruciating,”
Edmundo placed his hand over his heart, and I didn’t know what to feel. Shock blocked everything else.
There was so much to say, and I didn’t know where to start.
“I—”
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Nash grabbed my waist and threw me to the floor, using his body as a shield.
Crash!
The club was suddenly so loud. It sounded like a war zone as the window we’d been sitting near exploded and rained down on us. I screamed, covering my ears and squeezing my eyes closed as images of the night Nadia was shot flashed in my brain.
“Get her out of here,” Nash yelled.
I didn’t know who he was talking to and fought back when unknown hands and faces I didn’t recognize dragged me away.
Everything happened fast, but it felt like I reached for Nash in slow motion as he pulled a gun from under his jacket and fired out the window. Men in black suits surrounded me, blocking my view.
“No, no, let me go,” I yelled while fear raced through my body. The guys were in there. My guys. “No, I can’t leave them,” I cried, but there was no fighting the wave of muscle, and they weren’t listening to me.
My ears rang in the sudden silence as I was dragged outside into the cool night.
“Get in the car, sir, I’ll head back in with half the guards,” one of the men in black said.
Being tossed into the back of a limo was not how I saw this night going. The door slammed, and the wheels squealed as it fishtailed. I plastered myself against the small back window, my hands clawing at the cold glass as I pictured everyone that I loved dying.
“Let me out of here. I can’t leave them,” I said and looked around to see Edmundo sitting near me. Glaring at him, I pointed. “Take me back,”
The car sped down a side street, and I fell over.
“My men will keep your friends safe,” he said.
I pushed myself up and tried to make him understand.
“They’re not just my friends. I love them. I can’t leave them.”
Just the thought of one of my guys dying or even Ivy and Chantry made me sick to my stomach.
“I need to protect them,” I said, and the words sounded ridiculous out loud. It didn’t matter though. All I could think was that we needed to turn around and go back.
Edmundo crossed his arms. “And how would you protect them?”
I opened my mouth, closed it, and swore as he called me out on exactly what I’d just been thinking.
“Then give me a gun. Nash taught me to shoot.”
“Great, I’m happy he did that. You should know how to use a gun. But have you ever been in the middle of a firefight?”
“No, but….”
“Oh, so you don’t know how to control your fear, or your breathing, or anything else. Shooting cans off a fence is very different than a life-and-death shootout, where any mistake can kill you or someone else. My men train for this every day and have lived through many firefights. Let them do their job. The answer is no. I’m not taking my daughter, who I just reconnected with, back to be involved in a gun fight. You’re a princess, not a guard.”
“God! This is so frustrating. I can take care of myself.”
“Be angry with me all you want. It won’t change the fact that I’m not turning the car around.”
His phone rang, and he picked it up.
“Marcus? Okay, okay, I’ll tell her.”
He ended the call and looked at me. Fear lanced my heart and made me lightheaded. Did I want to hear what he would say next?
“The shooting has stopped. There are many injured and few deaths. Your friends from the table are alive. My head of security is riding with three of them to catch up with us. One stole a motorcycle, and the other stayed behind. That’s all I know.”
Slumping in the seat, I tried to gain control of my breathing as the car flew down the road. I could picture everyone in my mind. Nash stayed behind. Theo stole the motorcycle, and Myles, Blake, and Liam were together with Edmundo’s guard Marcus. Dear God, I wouldn’t have been able to handle it if they’d died. Losing any one of them would be like losing a limb.
“What about Ivy and Chantry?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Marcus didn’t mention them. Once we are safe, we will find out.”
“I can’t believe this,” I said, shaking my head. “Just when I think there is no possible way my life could get any crazier, my real father shows up on my birthday, and I’m running from bullets.”
My hands trembled in my lap, and I looked up at Edmundo, who was sitting quietly and staring at me.
“So, you’re my father…my actual father. I feel like I have far more than normal,” I said, and he smirked.
“I’m sure you do. Yes, you’re my beautiful daughter and I hope that you’ll allow me the chance to get to know you,” he said.
“I’d like that. I have so many questions still. I don’t even know what to ask first, but I’ll start with…do you know who was shooting at us?”
“No, I don’t know. I didn’t see, and as far as I’m aware, none of my enemies would be so stupid.”
“Not even Christov? He’s a threat,” I said.
Edmundo’s dark grey eyes locked with mine, and his massive hand clenched into a fist.
“Not even he is so stupid, but I will find him, and I will crush every bone in his body until he prays for forgiveness. He’ll regret ever laying a finger on your mother. That I can promise you.”
The wheels screeched as we skidded around a curve, and the glass divider lowered.
“Sir, we have a serious problem,” the driver said, his voice frantic.
My heart rate spiked all over again. He looked in the rearview mirror, and there was terror in his eyes.
“What’s wrong,” Edmundo asked.
“The brakes are out. I can’t stop, and we’re gaining speed.”
His foot was thumping the floor as he tried to brake repeatedly. The world raced by when I looked out the window. Oh, dear God.
“Put it in neutral and use the emergency brake,” Edmundo said, and then grabbed me, pulling me into his side and holding me tight.
“It’s not working, and I think we also lost the power steering. They must have cut multiple fluid lines.”
Dread flowed threw me, followed by the understanding that we could all die. The gun shots and being dragged out of the club had all happened so fast that my brain took a minute to catch up to the reality. But this…this I understood.
A new terror gripped me as I pointed at a pickup truck pulling along side us. The man driving wore an evil mask of insanity, and even though the windows of the limo were blacked out, it felt like he was staring directly into my soul. I would know that malicious face anywhere. It was Owen. I’d dreamed of killing him for what he’d done to Myles.
Before I could get out the words, he smiled and weaved away from us. I watched him crank the wheel, and the truck slammed into the side of the limo. We skidded sideways violently, the back end swaying as we hit the gravel on the shoulder.
“Leave it in neutral, and as soon as we are under twenty, throw it in park,” Edmundo yelled and then looked at me. “Just hang on, I’ve got you.”
Edmundo wrapped his arms around me tighter. I grabbed him, my hands balling into fists as I gripped his suit and buried my head against his chest.
We began to slow, but I screamed when a shot rang out, and our driver’s blood splattered the windshield. He slumped forward on the steering wheel, and the car jerked, throwing us around the back like rag dolls. Owen rammed into us again, and the metal bowed, making a crunching sound like a beer can at a frat party.
Then there was confusion, and my hair stood on end as if we were flying. We lifted off the seats and hovered in the air like gravity had ceased to exist, but unfortunately, we were not that lucky.
Crash, crunch, thump, thump, thump, bang.
The limo’s frame twisted and screeched as we hit the ground and rolled. I was ripped away from Edmundo, but I could still see him reaching for me.
“Dad!”
Our fingertips brushed before we were pulled apart, and then…there was nothing.