Series: Series by Ker Dukey
Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“I have the other items you requested,” Abram announces as he slides two brown envelopes across the table. One envelope toward Rodion, while the other rests before me.
“Well?” I prompt, watching Abram’s gaze shift hesitantly to Alyona, who sits quietly, observing the interaction. I raise my hand lightly in a dismissive gesture. “You can speak freely in front of her. There’s no need for secrecy.”
Abram takes a breath, his expression serious. “Inside, you’ll find the family tree and medical history documents. However, your father has overruled me on this matter too. He insisted that he will discuss the details with you personally.”
I don’t like this one bit. I asked Abram to find out if I had any living or dead blood relatives and all medical history available. We bounced around a lot when I was young, so I didn’t know any extended family members. I also asked him to find out what happened to my parents to get them murdered. Why would our father want to discuss this face-to-face? It can’t be good news, that’s for damn sure.
“Do you go to our father with everything we ask you to do?” I demand, seething in anger.
“Yes, if it affects him.” No hesitation.
Motherfucker.
“What family tree are you talking about? What did you ask him to investigate?” Rodion demands, shooting me a puzzled look.
I feel the heat of his gaze on the side of my face before he snatches the envelope from in front of me. Tearing it open, he scans the documents inside, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“The Chester family?” he asks, his voice growing sharper as he processes the information. “Why would you do that?” He fails to mask the anger radiating off him, which makes my skin itch. I don’t like upsetting him.
“Because of Roza,” I say, seizing the documents back from his hands and placing them on the table once more. “It’s important to have family history, for health reasons and in case she has questions.”
“What kind of questions? Do you even have questions?” he asks, folding his arms over his chest.
Exhaling, I rub at the throb building in my temples. “I haven’t thought about it until recently. But, yes, I do have questions. Wouldn’t you?” I shake my head, my jaw clenching in irritation.
“We’re your family. What good can come from knowing about them?” He stabs a finger down on the documents.
I affix him with an intense stare. “Why are you so opposed to it? Nothing will change how I feel about any of you. The Vetrovs are my family, Ro. You are my family.”
This is madness. I don’t understand why he’s so upset. It doesn’t mean anything.
“I don't like it,” he finally says, running a hand down his face and flicking his gaze to Abram like they hold a secret between them.
And I don’t like that.
Alyona’s hand glides up my spine. The soothing motion makes my muscles unfurl and gradually slows my racing heart to a calmer rhythm.
“I get it, Z,” she tells me. “I’d want to know, too.”
I pull her into me, curling my arms around her and kissing her bare shoulder.
Clearing his throat, Abram gestures to the other envelope. “I got everything there is to know about Adam Cunningham and his family.”
Releasing Alyona, I stand and glare down at Abram. “Oh, did Daddy give permission for that? Did he?” I snap, leaning my hands on the back of the chair, squeezing the wood until my palms burn and knuckles turn white.
“Get out,” Rodion demands to Abram, pointing in the direction of the door.
Abram stands and leaves without another word.
“That was intense.” Alyona exhales, tucking her long hair behind her ears. “Why are you looking into the Cunninghams?”
“We don’t want to be blindsided by anything,” I tell her, while staring down at the paperwork. Seeing their names and my old name printed in black sends a buzzing through my skull.
Father - Bruce Chester – Status - Deceased
Mother - Barbara Chester – Status - Deceased
Oldest son - Daniel Chester – Status - Unknown
Youngest son- Zane Chester – Status - Living
My eyes trace back up to my brother’s name. Unknown?
“A policewoman said Daniel’s body was found,” I say out loud, confused as fuck over this finding.
Rodion pushes the chair under the table and leaves the room like a storm of fury.
“Who is Daniel?” Alyona asks, hands on her hips and eyebrows scrunched.
“Not a good man,” I say, screwing the paper up in my hand. “There’s nothing of use in these.”
Rodion’s not the only furious storm around here. With an explosion of anger and frustration, I toss the crumpled papers in the trash, and stalk out the door.
“Z?” Alyona calls after me.
I don’t stop to answer her. I need air. A fight. Bloodshed.
One Mississippi…
Chapter Thirty-Two
Rodion
Klub Chernyy
Staring up at the sign now emblazoned on the front of the building that was once Club Vibe sends a pulse of excitement zapping through me like lightning. We will reopen this weekend, and everything is nearly ready with the second level. After calling in a couple of favors back home, we’ve secured our first couple of fights, all above board and legal for now.