Chapter 34

JULY 17 – MONDAY 8:35 PM

T heo

Turning into our parent's driveway, I drove around the curve and backed into an open spot before cutting the engine. I looked at Blake. "You ready for this?"

"Yeah, I just hate not telling Ren things. It feels wrong. There's already been so many secrets, you know?"

I nodded. "I do, but this is something we should find out first. It could be nothing, and if it is, then we'll have broken the trust Ren has with our mom for nothing."

"True. Alright, let's get this over with."

We got out of the car and walked to the door, not bothering to hit the signaler. We were here so little between living in the dorms and now staying at the cabin, but it was still our home. Mom would've looked at us like we'd lost our minds if we had.

"Are you sure Dad is at work," Blake asked as we stepped inside and heard a man speaking.

"That's not Dad," I growled under my breath. I hadn't noticed his car in the driveway, but I would know Lawrence's voice anywhere. He could play the smooth-talking villain in any movie. Walking to the home office that my mother and father shared, we stepped through the doorway. Mom glanced over from where she was seated at the desk. The devil himself, Lawrence, looked over his shoulder at us. My eyebrow arched in silent question, and I almost wished that I hadn't been so quick to barge in.

"Sorry, we didn't think anyone was here," I said. "Would you like us to wait outside the door?"

Lawrence smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. I wasn't sure he was capable of true happiness. "That won't be necessary." He stood from the desk. "When Ethan gets in, be sure to let him know that I stopped by." Lawrence buttoned his suit jacket as my mother nodded, her face void of all emotion. It didn't matter though. I knew my mom, and she was tense, her shoulders rigid as she clasped her hands on the desk. I hated the idea of Lawrence in my house, let alone by himself with my mother. I didn't trust the man. Worse, I knew that if Lawrence tried something, my mother would hide it from all of us. She'd say it was to protect my dad from going into a rage and trying to kill Lawrence. We all wanted him to disappear, but shooting him between the eyes held consequences. We didn't have all the pieces in place for that, at least not yet.

"Theo, Blake," Lawrence said.

"Mr. Collier," we said together. I was just as happy when he didn't try to stop and chat with us, and I watched him until the front door opened and closed before turning to face my mom.

She looked visibly shaken. She ran her hand through her hair and then rubbed her eyes. Mom looked like she was wearing the weight of the world. I whispered to Blake, "Close the door."

I walked around the desk and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Mom, are you okay? I signed.

Yes, I'm fine. This is a wonderful surprise . Mom signed back as Blake kissed her other cheek.

Both my boys are home. Are you here for the night? We shook our heads, and her face fell. Okay.

Why was Lawrence here?

Mom looked away. Business stuff. It's fine. Nothing that either of you needs to worry about.

It looked intense for it to be nothing to worry about, and why was Dad not here if it had to do with business?

She shrugged. You know Lawrence, he doesn't do anything without trying to throw his weight around. I promise it will be fine.

How are we going to take over one day when you and Dad keep us in the dark all the time?

Mom licked her lips as we sat down across from her. Reaching out, she picked up the pitcher of fruity water she loved to drink and poured herself a glass. She took a long sip before setting the glass aside.

I can't believe how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was bringing the two of you home from the hospital, and now here you are, all grown up. Mom blinked away tears as she signed. I'm sorry, but some things I still can't discuss.

I wanted to argue about Lawrence and our right to know, but we had another mystery to solve tonight. Fine, I'll drop it, but we do have a question for you. Please don't lie to us. As I signed the last word, my mom looked at me and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. I glanced at Blake.

We found something while we were in Canada. Something that belongs to you. Pulling out my phone, I opened it to the photos folder and the image I'd taken of her old company logo. She'd revamped it about five years ago to the one that everyone now knew, but there was still a framed version of this one in our living room. A picture of a famous politician and the home she'd designed for his family.

Mom swallowed as she looked at it. I knew my mom was going to force me to ask the questions. You built Ren's house in Canada. This is one of your designs. I recognized some of your signature details almost from the moment I walked inside. I went looking for your symbol in the basement when everyone was asleep. Mom leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. You're going to make me tell you what I think, aren't you? When she didn't move, I continued. Alright, I'll tell you. You knew Ren's mother. Which means you've known all along that she is a Mikhailov.

Mom stood from her desk and walked to the window that looked out to the front driveway. Leaning against the window frame, she chewed on a nail. I'd never seen her look so nervous before.

Blake stood and walked over to her, laying a hand on her shoulder before he began to sign. Mom, tell us the truth. What do you know? Do you know who is after Ren? We were shot at and almost died. Ren almost died. If we are going to keep her safe, and if you want to keep us safe, then we have to know who we're facing.

Mom ran her hands through her hair and made a frustrated sound before slapping her hand on the wall.

None of you should be having to deal with any of this. You should be studying, out on dates, and planning what you want to take in college. Gunfights, dealing drugs and laundering money, the threat of Lawrence, and all that he brings. I hate this for you boys. I hate it for all of you, including Ren.

I got up and went to stand beside Blake. Mom, who is after Ren?

She shrugged. I didn't know Ren was who she was at first. Even last Thanksgiving, I had no idea. But I received a text after Ren's attack that tipped me off to the truth of her identity.

Why didn't you say anything?

It's complicated. Mom sighed. I knew Yulianna. We met for the first time when we were young girls and then again at different celebrations all over the world. We became friends, but even among friends, secrets in this world run deep. The last time I'd seen Ren was when she was six weeks old. Yulianna sent me a picture and a note saying she would like to make me Ren's guardian if anything ever happened to her.

Mom walked around me and grabbed a book from her shelf. She opened it and pulled out a photo. Baby Ren and her mother were smiling at the camera. Mom then passed us a small square of paper. I quickly read it over and handed it to Blake.

Ella

Meet Lilya Ren Ivankov. She is six weeks and two days old.

I would be honored if you agreed to be her godmother if something happened to me.

Please don't say no. I'll send the paperwork soon.

Yulianna

So, it's true, Ren's real name is Lilya. Wait…you're her godmother? Mom shook her head.

No, the paperwork never came. We only spoke a handful of times after that letter, and she never mentioned it again, but yes, Ren's name is Lilya.

Ivankov… that's Christov? Is he Ren's biological father? Mom shrugged at my question.

As far as I know, yes. When I saw Yulianna next, she was already in Canada. She called me and asked me to keep her whereabouts secret. She also needed a favor. She knew that I was an architect, and although new, she trusted me to design her home with extras. Ren would've been four. The project took longer than I expected, but Yulianna and Neil moved into the house two years later.

So, you did design all of the safety features like the gun racks and panic room? I knew it was true, but I still had to ask.

Among other things, yes. I was young, and I fancied myself a rebel. I agreed to help her. Yulianna said it was best that we not communicate again after that, and until Ren showed up at Wayward, I had no idea what had become of them. I asked her if she fell in love with Neil and ran away from Christov, but she wouldn't say. All she said was that it was better that I knew as little as possible and that I was already at risk for helping her. That is still my guess because Christov was not a nice man. I heard terrible things about him before they were married, and it only got worse afterward.

Was?

Mom nodded. He died.

How?

I don't know. I wish I did.

I studied her face and crossed my arms. You're still keeping something from us. What are you not telling us?

It doesn't matter now.

Everything matters , I countered, and she pressed her lips together in annoyance. Mom, please.

Sighing, she shook her head, but I knew she'd given in. Nadia was not Ren's aunt. She was Yuliana's attendant in Russia. When Yulianna ran, Nadia, or rather, Frida, came with her.

"Jesus." I covered my eyes. You expect us to keep quiet that Ren's real name is Lilya, her biological father is most likely Christov, that you knew her mom, and now her aunt wasn't her aunt? She already feels like she's been lied to her whole life. She thinks she just watched her aunt die in front of her, and it's all her fault. I have no idea how she would take that news.

My mom shook her head, her eyes sad as shadows of the past lingered in her eyes. Do you want my honest opinion?

Yes, Blake signed.

What she doesn't know won't hurt her. If she's coming to terms with her Aunt Nadia dying, then let the woman rest in peace, and Ren's memory remains intact. There had to be reasons for maintaining a cover. Besides, despite what they say about the truth setting you free…it's a lie in our world. The truth just gets you killed.

My mom gripped our shoulders and then took the letter from Blake. We watched as she put the note and picture back in the book before walking to her office door. She quietly held it open and didn't look at us, effectively dismissing us and any further conversation on the topic. Grabbing my phone off her desk, we walked to the door. Mom gave us each a kiss on the cheek before we stepped out. She closed the door, and the lock clicked into place.

I blinked as I stared at the wood. My mom had never blatantly dismissed either of us and had certainly never locked us out of a room.

"That's weird," Blake said, mirroring my worry.

"Something is still off. It could be Lawrence's visit or about Ren, but either way, we need to find out what."

"Agreed. And if Yulianna ran away from her marriage and the Ivankov family had the most reason for revenge, then why is it that the men Ren saw the night her mother was killed were Mikhailovs? None of it makes sense."

I rubbed at my chin, trying to connect all the dots. I loved puzzles but this one was making even my head hurt.