Chapter 27 #2
“Yes, one that will expose the enemy.”
“What do you mean? How are you going to do that?” Stash asked, still tense. Still in shock.
“Well,” I said as a slow and steady smile crossed my face.
I nodded to Kirill who took a deep breath before leaving the room.
“As you’re both aware, our father was very much into the old ways.
He was a firm believer in keeping certain traditions alive.
I was expected to continue the course, stay the path as he’d say.
While I was incarcerated, I realized that he was right.
The old ways allow for certain traditions to continue, and to be taught to our heirs. ”
As Kirill returned, Stash immediately stiffened.
“What are you talking about?” Mikhail half whispered, already on edge.
Rafaela was behind him, immediately heading toward me. She had a killer smile on her face, allowing her gaze to float back and forth between the two men. There was no sense of recognition, just an understanding that she now had an extended family.
She was without Golden, determined to rid herself of a few demons while helping me with mine. For both of us, this moment and whatever discovery was made would be difficult.
“This is Rafaela Marichetti. I’ve called her many things from my healer to an angel.
She was there on the first days when I was kept locked in a cement block prison in Sicily.
Likely because of course once news hit about the ambush, Stash sent several of our men to Italy to try and find out what had happened.
With soldiers watching the waterways and the airports, there would have been no way for my kidnappers to take me off the island. ”
“Absolutely we surrounded the island. We were there for a couple weeks searching. There was no sign of you.” Stash was adamant, yet his eyes continued to search mine.
There was both hope and uncertainty, a cautious concern in the light flickering through his eyes.
He had no idea how much he’d already helped in the horrible discovery.
Nothing that he’d purposely intended on doing, but as the family accountant, his work had been vital.
“Well, thanks to Rafaela, I almost escaped that prison. Sadly, her father, who of course was a retired enforcer and half-brother of Giovanni Pollizi, was none too happy she’d dared break a family trust. After our engagement was discovered and I was finally removed from Sicily, she was told I’d been killed.
At first, I’d thought she’d betrayed me, which allowed terrible, violent thoughts to fester in my mind for three years.
The ugly truth was that she suffered, almost as much as I did, but in the end, she always kept hope I was alive. Isn’t that right, my little healer?”
“Yes, I could feel Kazimir in my blood and nothing my father did or could ever do could take that away.” Her smile remained. “When you’re truly connected to someone, you can feel their life’s blood surging through your veins.”
“Her belief in me was a true godsend. I assure you neither her father nor Giovanni would want her associating with me any more now than he wanted then. However, I’m pleased to announce we’re about to be married.
Two powerful families brought together. Imagine what the Petrovs will think.
Granted, from what Kirill told me, I expect pushback from them, but our soldiers will be ready. ”
As the news settled in, I concentrated paying attention to Stash. His eyes were narrowed, his chest rising and falling as the understanding began to settle in. His caution look was followed by another sense of knowing. I could feel it.
“That’s horrible. How were you found?” Mikhail asked, his hand trembling as he walked to the bar. While it was barely two in the afternoon, shock was apparent. I couldn’t blame him. I’d gone through some of that myself. “Where were you kept?”
“Black Dolphin.”
“The explosions there,” Stash muttered and I could see the hint of a smile on the corners of his mouth.
“Exactly. And how I was found was a miracle actually. Kirill proved his loyalty tenfold. Our grandfather knew who Kirill should contact since rumors were flying. I’m surprised you didn’t hear them.” I glanced from one to the other before picking up the letter.
“We heard things, Kazimir, including from the fucking Russians who no doubt had you shoved in the prison.”
Stash was also angry, barely looking at my bride to be.
“This was all about claiming our territory,” Mikhail suggested.
“In a way, yes.” I lifted the letter. “Something our father was planning on warning us about. He was murdered before he had the chance.”
“Murdered?” Stash inched closer, thoroughly confused.
And angry.
“Yes, I’d already asked the coroner to run some tests.
They were waiting for my return from Italy.
” The statement was a lie. A ploy. One I didn’t enjoy using.
“The tests confirmed his heart attack wasn’t an accident.
Now, it’s been too long to figure out how and who, but our father knew there was a chance he could lose his life.
Although I do know of a perfect murder weapon as I’ve used it myself and even taught Mikhail about the benefits of using it when necessary. ”
For the first time, Mikhail bristled.
“Our father was murdered,” Stash repeated. “The fucking Petrovs? They’ve been hounding us since you disappeared. Relentless bastards.”
“I imagine they would. They smelled blood in the water from our family feasting on its own. There’s more.
This is the important part of the story.
Our dad tried to find out who murdered our mother for years.
Ever since the horrific car bomb he was beside himself, although he was a master of keeping his emotions in check.
I had no idea the lengths he’d gone or was willing to go to discover the truth.
Now, I do. The son of a bitch figured it out. ”
I laughed, turning my full attention on Rafaela. There was such sadness in her eyes. So many moving parts to the story. So much betrayal.
“Then who killed our mother?” Mikhail eyed me warily.
“Don Pollizi ordered a hit on our father and perhaps our uncle, but the bomb placed in the car was powerful enough that if it had gone off at the right time, several family members could have been killed. My guess is the plan was for it to go off when we were inside the villa as a family. Sadly, our mother was in the wrong place at the wrong time as suspected. The Italians knew there would be no better chance than when we were in Sardinia on vacation.” I tossed the paper provided to me by our attorney onto the desk, feeling almost empty inside.
“The Italians. That’s not possible.” Mikhail shook his head. “Our father had them checked out before daring to enter into a contract with them. Extensively.”
“You had them checked out, Mikhail. That was your job. And our father respected what you found.”
“Whoa,” he gritted out, throwing up his hands.
“I presented the facts and our father was adamant they would be good fit for our corporation. For an alliance. That’s why I continued with his wishes even after I was concerned they had something to do with your disappearance and the ambush. What are you suggesting?”
“I’m merely stating facts, Mikhail. There is proof the Italians were working against us. Against you.” The proof would be in the admittance. Although the letter from my father had been written in hopes that I would stop the alliance or use the information to do what he’d planned on doing.
Annihilating them.
With no idea, I’d walked into a trap. However, Giovanni had needed help, or the occurrence wouldn’t have been successful.
At this point, I didn’t need physical proof to end the charade. I only required one thing. One missing piece.
“What is going on?” Mikhail asked, searching my eyes, as frustrated as I’d seen him. He laughed, the sound completely bitter. While he raked his hand through his hair, I glanced at Rafaela.
Her subtle intake of breath was a damning proof that would haunt me for years.
And there it was, the ugly proof that was needed in the form of a sound usually made of joy.
I was gutted, so much so for a few seconds I could barely breathe.
She was right in that people had a threshold of pain, a place of darkness that was often pulled free even if a part of the person didn’t want it to happen.
Rafaela’s expression hardened, her lower lip quivering, but only I could see the change. She quickly returned to a plastic smile that she’d perfected around her father.
“A tragedy, brother,” I said quietly. “A true tragedy.”
“Wait a minute. You’re marrying her? You’re going to continue with the alliance?” Stash was shocked as he should be. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“It does in the sense of gaining power. Yes, we’re going to be married, but here’s the thing.
Don Pollizi found out early this morning like everyone else that I was likely alive.
Just as the two of you did. Now, since a wedding was already in the works, I’m certain her father is very upset and likely already sending men to Paris to try and pick her up and keep her…
locked away. Just in case I made my way back to her. ”
Mikhail stiffened. “Who was she supposed to be married to?”
I moved from around the desk, pulling my phone into my hand.
“Let me finish the story and it’ll all make sense.
Because of how I felt about Rafaela, I made it a point to see her first after Kirill helped coordinate an escape.
At that point, I was just watching her. Keeping her safe.
Because I knew somewhere in the back of my mind, she was a pawn in a sick game.
I mean, the Pakhan is supposed to have a family.
Right? An heir. She’s a beautiful woman and could fetch a very high price. Typical.”