Tears of Betrayal

While I listen to Mom telling me how in love she is, I take my time doing her makeup. Even though she’s forgotten me, I still treasure these moments I get to spend with her.

When I’m done, she smiles at her reflection. “Oh wow, Sergei’s going to fall for me all over again. You did such an amazing job. Thank you.”

“Would you like to have tea with me?” I ask, then quickly add, “While you wait for your date to arrive.”

“That would be nice. Let’s go sit out in the garden.”

I spend two hours with Mom before she starts to grow agitated because Dad’s late.

Ashley has to step in to keep Mom calm, and knowing our visit is over, I watch as Ashley leads Mom back to her room.

“See you next Saturday, Mom,” I whisper before I head to where my scooter is parked.

I let out a sad sigh as I put on my helmet. Soon both my parents will be gone. I wish I could have more time with them.

Chapter 2

DEMITRI

After I get back from Seattle, Alexei and I settle in our state-of-the-art security room and begin to search for everything we can find on Ariana Robinson.

I spent the morning following her around and relay the information to Alexei, “The girl seems to lead a normal life. Nothing interesting. I didn’t see anyone else watching her.”

“Not yet,” Alexei murmurs. “The contract was just accepted. Check her digital footprint and see if there’s anything that will help us.”

I start to check Ariana’s social media accounts and scroll through her posts on Instagram. Most of them of her posing in different places in the city and putting on makeup. Which she really doesn’t need.

“How the fuck did Sergei manage to have a daughter who looks like this?” I ask as I stare at a close-up shot of Ariana’s face.

Alexei leans closer to me and looks at the picture. “You should see Beth, the girl’s mom. If Sergei’s marriage to Olga wasn’t arranged, he would’ve divorced her for Beth.”

I glance at Alexei. “Seriously, how do you know all these things?”

Alexei just shrugs as he relaxes back into his own chair, his eyes focusing on the screen that shows incoming and closed contracts for assassinations. “People like talking when they’re drunk. Sergei told me everything.” Alexei turns his gaze back to me for a moment. “And I mean everything about his affair with Beth Robinson. The man had it bad for her. Yuri might be the oldest and next in line, but when Sergei spoke of Ariana, you could see the love he has for his daughter.”

When I keep scrolling through the Instagram account, I finally come across a photo of Ariana and Beth. “Oh…” I mutter, “I see what you mean. She’s the spitting image of her mother.”

“Yep.” Alexei’s phone begins to ring, and while he takes the call, I go to Ariana’s TikTok account.

I watch a random video of Ariana showing how to put on makeup. She makes a mistake and burst out laughing… and all I can do is stare.

Christ, she’s even more beautiful when she’s smiling.

Soon I realize it’s a blooper video, and Ariana is laughing through most of it. When the video ends, I watch it again.

When Alexei ends his call, he gives me a what-the-fuck look. “You plan on watching that all day long?”

I quickly exit the video and shake my head. “Just trying to get a feel for the girl.”

“Yeah…” he lets out a chuckle, “right.”

“Don’t start,” I mutter as I check the address we found for her. She lives in the city. From what we’ve learned, she moved into the apartment a year ago.

“Beth is in a nursing home,” Alexei says, a frown forming on his forehead. “Alzheimer's.” He shakes his head. “What a pity.”

Leaning back in my chair, I look at my friend. “Why only take a contract out on Ariana and not Beth as well?”

Alexei keeps quiet for a moment, then he says, “Beth isn’t a threat.”

“How’s Ariana a threat? The girl doesn’t seem to have anything to do with the Bratva.”

Alexei lets out a chuckle. “Doesn’t mean shit. She can be used to form a strong alliance.”

“True. She’s twenty-three. Maybe Sergei is already busy arranging the marriage,” I muse.

“Sergei’s got one foot in the grave already,” Alexei mutters. “Last I heard, he won’t be around for much longer.”

“Will Yuri take over?” I ask.

“No. There will be a vote.”

“Oh, fun,” I mumble, not looking forward to that shitshow.

Alexei stares at the screens, drawing his bottom lip between his teeth as his mind starts to work. A frown settles on his forehead, then he says, “Either someone wants to take out Sergei’s entire family or…”

When he’s quiet for a while, I ask, “Or?”

“Yuri took out the contract to get rid of the other heir, so he’ll be the only one to inherit when Sergei dies.”