Chapter 51
CHAPTER 51
ELLIE
T wo days later and we are heading on Arman’s private jet toward Marsha’s head office. I know I shouldn’t be excited about that, but it gives me a chance to learn more about the woman who gave birth to me. I will never think of her as my mother, but she is an important part of this puzzle that I am determined to complete.
I want Arman to get closure. I accept that I never will and even knowing my father is searching for me leaves me cold.
I’m not interested in him. He paid Marsha to get rid of me. He can live with that because I have no intention of ever meeting with him.
“Do you always travel this way?” I ask, as we recline in the most comfortable seats, a glass of champagne in my hand and whiskey in his.
“Yes.” He shrugs. “I have never traveled any other way.”
“Then you haven’t lived.” I laugh as I picture him experiencing what the rest of us consider a luxury. He would be appalled.
“I make no excuses for our wealth, malysh. It’s the Romanov way and we have my father to thank for that.”
“Tell me about him.” I’m intrigued, and Arman nods, sipping his drink with a proud gleam in his eye.
“He was born on the outskirts of Moscow into poverty. My grandparents had nothing and yet he was smart enough to study, rather than turn to crime for easy money.”
I’m enthralled, as he smiles proudly. “He won a scholarship to an expensive school but was bullied severely for his lack of parentage. He was the poor kid in a school of entitled ones and was smart enough to stay out of trouble and devote all his time to study rather than retribution.”
“He was a clever man indeed.”
I’m impressed, and Arman smiles, a wistful expression in his eyes.
“He never strayed from the path he was set upon. He worked harder than most and it soon became apparent he was considerably above the rest of the students who bullied him, so they used him in another way instead and paid him to do their assignments. He earned a lot of money that they could well afford.”
“Shrewd.” It makes me laugh and Arman chuckles.
“It has always been business first with him, Ellie. He taught us to think in the same way.”
“Now I understand where you get it from. ”
“I am one of six and no different from them.”
“God help me.” I roll my eyes and he grins.
“When he passed his exams with distinction, he had enough money saved from his business venture to pay for his flight and lodging to Switzerland, where he had secured an apprenticeship with a well-known bank. He would live there for two years to learn the business and he used the time wisely.”
“And met your mother.” I add, wondering how that happened.
“Yes. The official line was they met at a party in the town and were inseparable. Mama was at the Two Points finishing school and it was hard for them to meet up.”
“It sounds romantic.”
He snaps, “It does until you learn he also met his mistress there, who was one of my mother’s friends. I am still working out how that happened.”
“Can you ask your mom?” I ask tentatively, and he shakes his head.
“She is grieving. Ana, my sister, is trying to do some digging but mama appears ignorant of Veronica’s involvement with my father. I’m hoping Ana’s visit to The Rose Foundation will shed some light on that.”
“How?”
I’m confused, and he smiles. “Because Adele Heatherington is listed as the director of the foundation. She uses her maiden name because it was formed not long after she returned from Switzerland. Having met the woman myself, I can tell she knows more than she is telling us and Ana is the perfect weapon to send in as a trojan horse because her particular super power is dissecting information. It could take months, which is why she decided to go in undercover as one of the accountants.”
“How did you manage that?”
I’m in awe of their powers, and Arman winks. “We have our ways. Ana will be known by another name with a completely different past history that is well documented and checks out right back to when and where she was born and how heavy she was.”
“You gave her a new identity. I’m impressed.”
“It’s just what she needs right now. To throw herself into business rather than grief. I almost pity The Rose Foundation. They don’t know what’s heading their way.”
“I can’t wait to meet her; all of them.”
The pressure in my ears tells me we are beginning our descent and as I strap myself in, Arman does the same and I smile. “Next stop Burning Roses, Arman. Are you ready for this?”
“What do you think?” He grins and as we touch down on the runway, I am high on adrenalin because we have full control of Burning Roses now and I can’t wait to unravel its secrets.