Tears of Betrayal

It feels like I’m surrounded by my own small army of superheroes.

Everyone seems calm while my heart’s still beating a mile a minute. Glancing at Demitri, I ask, “Is it always like this?”

A slight frown forms on his forehead. “Like what?”

“Action-packed.”

“You get used to it,” Winter answers on behalf of Demitri. “After doing this a while, the excitement fades.”

Yeah, I don’t think that will happen to me.

“Let’s drink,” Alexei says as he turns to the house.

“It’s not even nine in the morning,” I remind him.

He lets out a chuckle. “It’s night somewhere.”

I give Alexei a worried look, and then Demitri explains, “It’s his way of celebrating.”

“Celebrating what?” I ask as we follow after Alexei.

“Not dying.”

Hell, I can’t argue with that.

DEMITRI

Ariana’s handling everything so much better than I expected. She just keeps getting stronger the more they come at her.

It’s a sight to behold. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes.

We’re all sitting at the dining table after having something to eat, and while the others talk, I stare at Ariana. She listens to what they say and asks questions when she doesn’t understand anything.

Right now, Alexei is telling her that Ilia, Sergei’s attorney, is coming to meet with her. “The weapons smuggling business won’t be mentioned, of course.”

“Right.” Ariana lets out a chuckle. “Probably wouldn’t be wise.” She gives Alexei a questioning look. “Is there someone who can tell us about it? How do I take over?”

Alexei gestures at me. “Demitri and I will handle that part. We know who your father dealt with.”

Ariana glances at me, and then she crosses her arms over her chest. “So, how much do you charge for your services, Mr. Vetrov?”

Remembering the conversation we had on the island about the same thing, I let out a burst of laughter, shaking my head.

“He’s fucking expensive,” Alexei comments, then he grins at me.

“Come on,” Ariana insists. “If you’re going to run the business for me, I need to know how much your fee will be.”

“Ten million to get you settled,” Alexei answers.

“Wait? What?” Ariana gasps, her eyes snapping to him. “I didn’t hear you right.” She places a hand over her heart, then asks, “Ten million? You’re kidding?”

Alexei shakes his head. “I never joke when it comes to money.”

Ariana glances between Alexei and me, and worry tightens her features. “Where the hell do you think I’m going to get ten million? I barely make fifteen hundred a month. On a good month, I make two thousand.”

Her worry begins to change to panic, and it makes a dark frown form on my forehead. Placing my arm on the back of her chair, I lean closer to her. “Shh… deep breaths.”

She does as I say, then I explain, “The fee will come out of the business.”

She shakes her head hard. “It’s impossible that my father’s business makes that much.”

I move my hand to the back of her neck and slowly brush my thumb over her skin, and the touch makes her relax a little. “I’m assuming your father never discussed his finances with you?”

“No,” Ariana answers, her eyes locked on mine. “He just sends ten thousand every month, which I use for my mom’s nursing home.”

Christ, she’d go fucking hungry as long as her mom’s taken care of. If Sergei loved her so much, why didn’t he take better care of her?

“I’m getting her a drink. She’s going to need it,” Alexei says as he gets up.

The others also leave the table, giving us privacy.

Placing my other hand on her cheek, I explain, “Your father was a wealthy man. You’ll never have to worry about money again.”

Before Ariana can reply, Alexei comes back with the tumbler of vodka and Ilia, who must’ve just arrived.

I rise to my feet and shake the man’s hand, and after the introductions are over, Ilia gets right to business. He begins to read the long list of assets. Mainly Properties scattered over the world, and then he moves onto the investments in Switzerland and the main bank account.

“The total sum of movable cash comes to one-hundred-and-fifty-three million euros.”

Ariana grabs hold of my thigh, and her face pales dangerously. “I think I’m going to pass out.”

Alexei gets up and comes to hold the tumbler to her lips, helping her to drink the alcohol. She trembles lightly while we give her a moment to process the news. I pull Ariana to my chest and hold her for a minute.

When she’s feeling calmer, she pulls back and then starts to shake her head. “I can’t even begin to comprehend that amount. What? How?”

“My uncle is an accountant. He can help you manage your finances,” I say.

“There’s also a request from Sergei,” Ilia carries on, obviously needing to get this over so he can leave.

Ariana waves a hand in the air, slumping back against her chair. “Hit me.”