Chapter 1 - Jenna

"Oh my gosh, what is this?" my best friend Brooke asked as our car made the final turn on the long, winding drive.

I shook my head, as surprised as she was to see the place my sister now lived. Still not quite over the shock that Katie was married to her best friend's father, who was also, by the looks of this estate, a billionaire.

I knew Aleks Fokin was rich. I remembered his daughter from when Katie and I used to go to the fancy academy before our parents crashed their private plane and left us with nothing.

My sister had a tougher time than me, because she was always so constantly worried about me. It wasn't great, going from riches to rags, and my first few years at public school were brutal. The place we moved into was small and dingy, and we had to get used to our Aunt Marjorie, who we barely knew at the time, but who'd put her own life on hold to make sure her nieces got to stay together.

Now I missed that old house that Katie had moved out of without telling me, even though it probably could have fit into one of the bedrooms at this palatial mansion. It was all happening so fast. Maybe I should have been suspicious when we suddenly weren't so tight on funds. Katie assured me her catering business was finally taking off, though, so I happily moved out of the dorms and accepted the class trip I never would have been able to go on otherwise.

Our old house was rented to someone else now, and nobody asked me how I felt about it. Katie probably thought I wouldn't care because this place was obviously so much better. It might have been better, but it wasn't home.

"What's wrong?" Brooke whispered, as if the driver who picked us up at the airport might be offended that I was clearly upset. "Aren't you excited? Jenna, you get to live here now."

I rearranged my face, which was screwed into a tight knot of trepidation, and forced a smile. My immediate reaction was to spit that I didn't live there at all. I was only visiting for Christmas vacation. Katie would be hurt that I didn't see it as my home, but she'd done plenty of hurting me by leaving me out of the loop for so long.

She was married, for goodness' sake, and I wasn't invited to the wedding. Didn't matter that it was rushed at the courthouse. And she was pregnant—another secret she kept from me. We used to be so close, but she'd chosen Aleks Fokin and this new life over me.

Shaking off those feelings that I thought I'd resolved, I sighed. "It's still weird, that's all."

Brooke tried to be sympathetic but was psyched to stay at such a grand place. I had to twist her arm to come down with me, because it meant missing out on lucrative commissions on Christmas Eve at the boutique she worked at, and also all the deliveries she would have made on the Dinner on Demand app she'd been driving for since she got her old beater fixed up enough to make it around the harrowing hills of San Francisco.

Not to mention all the studying we both did to stay on top of our scholarships at Berkeley. Up until Katie's life changed, we both depended on that money. Now, it seemed like I was on Easy Street while Brooke still had to hustle and grind. Even more than me, because while we both had lost our parents young, she wasn't lucky enough to have an overbearing big sister and a smothering aunt who'd do anything for her. She was strictly on her own once she aged out of the foster system, and even with the subsidies she got, living in the Bay area was expensive as hell, and Berkeley was competitive.

The car finally pulled up in front of the sweeping entrance and I half expected a line of servants to bustle out like in an English-period movie. Brooke gripped my arm.

"I'm so glad I decided to come. This is going to be amazing."

From some of the stories she'd shared with me, she'd had it way worse than Katie and I could have ever imagined, so I tried to conceal my anxiety and not ruin this experience for her. She saw right through me and gave me a supportive squeeze.

"Everything's going to be fine. And if it's not, just come back early with me."

"Or you could just stay the whole vacation with me," I urged, desperate to have her as a buffer if things got tense.

Which they surely would once I found a way to confess my own secret to Katie. She'd forget about dancing on pins and needles for leaving me out of her life changes and become the old battle ax sister who sometimes confused herself as my surrogate mother.

"Stop being an ungrateful baby," Brooke said ruthlessly. "Things change, and maybe this is for the better. You're never going to know if you don't get out of the car and face it."

She was right, and I needed to hear it. As I climbed out, nodding an awkward thanks to the driver as he held my door, Katie burst out of the wide, double doors.

She was glowing and as big as a house. Well, a normal house, not the one that loomed in front of me. She wrapped us both in a bear hug, instantly accepting my new bestie even though this was the first time they were meeting.

"Come on in. Do you want a tour right away?" she asked.

"Yes," Brooke piped up as I glowered around the entryway.

"Where's Aleks?" was my question.

Katie sighed. "You can beat him up later. Now, come on, let me at least show you your rooms."

Brooke elbowed me, and as Katie showed us around the gorgeous place, her excitement started to rub off. Despite my lingering bitterness, there was no denying her new home was incredible. Well, our new home if I could ever get over myself.

Each room was more lavish than the next, with a mashup of decorating styles. Katie admitted she kept it like that even though Aleks urged her to redecorate any way she liked.

"It's already so perfect," Brooke breathed when she showed us the first of our rooms.

It was a baby blue dream, with soothing watercolor paintings on the cream brocade walls. Rich, glossy furniture with smooth, curving lines were enveloped in satin cushions. Even the spindly chair at the antique writing desk had a lacy pillow on the seat. Katie pulled long curtains back to reveal a balcony with a view of the back garden and pool.

Brooke and I nearly got in a jam, trying to get outside to check it out. Okay, my dreary mood was fast evaporating, especially as I envisioned plunging into that decadent pool. Even in December, the LA heat was heavy, a far cry from what I'd gotten used to up in the foggy north. We looked at each other in horror, because neither one of us had brought a swimming suit. Why would we? Luxuriating poolside at Christmas wasn't something I had ever been used to.

Katie assured us we could get whatever we needed delivered, and a sense of strangeness enveloped me. Who was this person who acted so comfortable with all this wealth? Like she'd been born to this life.

We both had been rich at some point, but those days were so long ago to me, it was almost like a dream I barely remembered.

Brooke got the blue bedroom, and I was given the one next door. It was equally gorgeous but much more modern, with clean lines and relaxing, neutral beiges and whites. The only pops of color were the splashy oil paintings on the wall, which must have cost a fortune even though a kindergartener could have recreated them.

Once Brooke tucked herself away in her room to change out of her airplane clothes, Katie pulled me into another hug.

"I'm really sorry," she said for the umpteenth time. "Please don't be mad anymore."

"Are you happy here?" I asked, pulling away to look at her eyes. She might have gotten away with her lies over the phone, but there was no way I wouldn't see through any now. "That's all I care about."

"I am," she said simply. Her eyes were clear. Radiant, really, and at that moment, she gasped and tugged my hand to her belly. "The baby's kicking."

Tears filled my eyes as I felt the tiny foot slam against my palm, then laughed at Katie's grunt. "She's going to be a kickboxer for sure," I said.

The last bit of my resentment melted away. She was my sister, about to have my first niece. Aleks was treating her like a queen, and only joy was in her eyes. Maybe a little bit of worry when she asked me how school was going.

"Great," I said, inwardly cringing. "Nothing to worry about, anyway."

"That's good to hear. I was so scared you were overextending yourself again. Now, you don't have to be concerned about money and getting everything done so fast. Just ease back and enjoy the experience."

That was probably the best Christmas present I could have received, since, as usual, she somehow knew that I'd once again bit off more than I could chew. My first semester had been a total bust, and I'd had to make up half of those classes. I thought I'd gotten myself into a good routine and on a schedule I could stick to, but once again, I found myself desperately behind. If I didn't shape up and fast, I was going to lose my scholarship.

That would surely disappoint Katie, and I was already pissed off at myself for my self-made predicament, but at least now we wouldn't be suffering because of the loss. It would have been a severe financial burden to have to make up even more classes, and before everything changed, I'd have had to drop out if I lost my scholarship.

Now I could breathe, and that was because of Katie and Aleks. I'd been kind of a brat to him over the phone for stealing my sister from me, but he was treating me like I was already family, and I resolved to be nicer to him.

"Rest up a little if you want," she said, backing out of my room with a peaceful smile. "There are some people here already, and it's going to be packed later. Aleks has a big family, and I want you to meet everyone."

"Oh great," I said. "No pressure or anything."

I was already going through the things I'd packed, trying to figure out what was going to be appropriate for a billionaire family's holiday gathering. Evening gown? Cashmere sweater and leather riding boots? I didn't have anything like that; it was just my college girl gear consisting of jeans and simple tops.

"No pressure at all," Katie told me. "They're all super nice and can't wait to meet you since I yap about you nonstop."

I rolled my eyes at her, and right before she left, she told me to look in the closet for an early present. Expecting a bathrobe or some kitschy pajamas, my mouth dropped open to find a completely new wardrobe. I walked in and held my arms out in the massive closet. There were even some fancy new undies tied up in a bow on top of a big center console with drawers and shoe racks. All told, there were six new dresses, four pairs of new jeans, a stack of t-shirts and blouses, a pair of strappy sandals, some buttery soft leather ankle boots, and adorable new sneakers.

I hurried out and swung open the door to find Katie waiting outside with a hopeful look on her face.

"It's too much," I said. "You don't have to do that. I forgive you." My eyes were filling up, and when she saw that, her own started leaking. "Oh, for gosh sake, don't cry."

"I'm pregnant; that's all I do," she said, grinning. "And it's not too much, so you better enjoy all of it. I've been shopping like crazy for the baby, and I just added a few things for you, too."

"A few things," I muttered, shaking my head. She looked so delighted to be able to treat me that I gave in and said I'd wear it all happily. Well, maybe not all.

I pounded on Brooke's door and dragged her over to my room, telling her to choose a few things from my treasure trove. Her mouth hung open much like mine did and after I told her it was my Christmas present to her, she didn't remind me I'd already gotten her a novelty mug from Alcatraz and started picking.

We both went down a little bit later, decked out in our new finery. If Katie noticed I had shared, she didn't say anything, immediately wanting to show me off to her new family. We got Brooke set up out by the pool, where there was a lavish buffet set up, and then I met so many people there was no way I could have kept them all straight.

"How many siblings does Aleks have?" I asked, trying to remember if I just met another brother or a cousin who'd flown in from Moscow.

"He's got five brothers and a younger sister, who should be around somewhere by now. She's my age, kind of a surprise baby for his parents. You've only met three of the guys so far…" she trailed off, surveying the crowd with pride. "And you remember Nataliye, right? Aleks's daughter who I went to school with? She should be here soon, too."

Her eyes darkened with worry at the mention of her old friend.

"Is she still pissed at you?" I asked. If it had been a blow to me, it must have been like a wrecking ball to her. I couldn't even imagine a similar scenario.

"Half and half," Katie said. "Some days are better than others, but at least she agreed to be here for the party."

One of the brothers I'd already met—maybe Max—pulled her away to ask her a question, and I drifted off to a corner of the garden to catch my breath. This was already a lot; while everyone was nice, they were all larger than life. I felt like an outsider at my own sister's party. Aunt Marjorie was due to arrive early the next morning, and I longed for her familiar presence in this sea of strangers. Even Brooke, who was usually pretty shy, was deep in a conversation with someone over by the buffet.

Katie returned, towing a willowy blonde girl along with her, introducing her as her new sister-in-law, Mila. Mila was vivacious and dressed to the nines in something sleek and certainly designer. After her warm greeting, she turned to Katie, and Katie's eyes clouded over.

"Um, can we talk to you for a little bit in private?" she asked.

Why was my sister being so cagey all of a sudden? My heart thudded in my chest. Did she somehow find out just how behind I was by calling the school? It would be like her to do something like that if she suspected I'd been hiding things from her, but she'd been so distracted by her new life I thought I was safe from meddling.

"Sure," I said, wringing my hands as they led me to a quiet library.

Normally I would have thought a place with all that comfy leather furniture and walls of books was a dream sanctuary, but now it seemed like a judgment hall. I should have confessed earlier that I was on the verge of failing some of my classes and a breath away from losing my hard-fought scholarship.

There was still a chance I could pull everything together, and she'd told me not to worry about anything, so why was Katie dragging me from the party with such a grim look? And why the backup with Mila, who I'd just met? If I had to admit all my shortcomings, I would much rather it be without a stranger present.

Mila pulled up a chair as I sat on one of the couches near a window, in case I needed to jump out of it. My mind raced as Katie paced a few steps back and forth, knocking her shin on a coffee table.

"Come and sit down," Mila urged her. "And let's get through this."

So Mila already knew what it was about. She looked serious but not as anxious as Katie. Katie looked like she might throw up.

"What's going on?" I demanded, no longer thinking this had to do with my situation.

"There's actually one more secret I've been keeping from you," she confessed, easing onto the edge of the couch.

Mila asked if I'd ever heard the word Bratva before. I shrugged. "I'm assuming it's Russian."

The Fokin siblings were first-generation Americans and very proud of it, but obviously still very steeped in their parents' motherland's traditions. The buffet was packed with foods I'd never seen before, but with the way they were looking at me, any appetite I had left after worrying about my own problems was waning.

I listened in silence as Mila launched into the history of what her family—now Katie's family—did for a living. And the more she talked, the more Katie's color drained out of her cheeks. I was sure I was as red as a fire engine by the time she was done laying it all out on the line.

"I didn't know either, at first," Katie rushed to say.

"But you're fine with it now?"

How could she be? Didn't she remember the shame we had to go through after our father's criminal ways came to light? It was why we lost everything after our parents' crash. It turned out all our wealth was dirty. He was nothing more than a swindler, and everything we owned was either repossessed or eaten up from reparations to his victims.

"Are you kidding me?" My voice was no longer calm, and I jumped up, my fists clenching. "After Aunt Marjorie uprooted her life to save us because of what Dad did, after you worked all those part-time jobs so we could keep a roof over our heads? You're suddenly perfectly fine with living with another criminal?"

Katie looked like she might puke but straightened up at me, calling Aleks a name. "I'm married to him," she said stiffly. "I love him. You just need to understand."

Mila said something I was too angry to hear correctly. Something about tradition that made me snort with disgust. "Does Aunt Marjorie know? Is she fine with this?"

We'd never really known our aunt because she'd cut her brother off from her life for some reason. She always sent us birthday gifts and called on all the holidays, but try as our mother might, she could never get Aunt Marjorie to speak to my dad. After it was revealed he was a criminal, we figured out she must have known all along and didn't approve of his choices or didn't want to get caught up in it. Because of her, we didn't end up in foster care. After learning about Brooke's experiences in the system only made me appreciate my aunt more.

She was there for us the second we needed someone, and had always instilled in us that there was no easy way to make it in life. No shortcuts. She despised crime and dishonesty of all flavors, and Katie—old Katie—took after her wholeheartedly. Until she got dazzled by a handsome face and boatloads of money. She remained silent.

"Well?" I pushed.

"I haven't told her yet," Katie admitted.

"That says a lot right there." I crossed my arms and stared daggers at her.

"But I'm going to tell her right after Christmas. I'm done with secrets. They nearly got me killed."

Oh, boy, this was new, and I didn't want to hear the details, certain they'd make my head explode with rage.

"If you nearly got killed, didn't it ever occur to you that your husband being in the Bratva might have actually been the reason?" I spit the word, then shook my head. "Does calling it something different make it easier to accept what it is? The mafia? Organized crime?"

"We've ramped up security since then," Mila said when Katie kept her head down. "And now that Katie's fully aware, she knows to stick to protocols."

I almost felt bad for Mila, trying so hard to sell this impossible scenario to me. Great. Was I going to be filled in on these so-called protocols? Should I expect a gunfight to break out after cocoa later on tonight when we were all gathered around a fireplace?

"So, is that where the money for my apartment came from?" I asked.

Katie thrust her chin up. "Yes, and your tuition. And the trip to DC you were so desperate to take. Aleks and I are together. Consider all that a gift from our hearts. Does it really matter where the money came from?"

She was so desperate to get me to see things her way that tears welled in her eyes. Not happy ones this time, but full of anguish. Despite my anger at her news, seeing her so miserable tore me up inside.

But it wasn't my fault I couldn't pretend to be delighted with the avalanche she let loose on me.

Sinking back onto the couch, I put my head in my hands and lapsed into silence. Mila murmured that they should leave me alone, and after a moment, they both left me in the library to stew.

I went over every phone call and video chat I'd had with Katie and Aleks since they admitted they were married. He'd been nothing but charming and kind to me, even when I let him have it for the secrets. Knowing he could have had me quietly erased just underlined that he was probably a fair man to a point.

And Katie so obviously adored him. In my entire life, I'd never seen her so joyful. In her element. Thriving. Maybe Aleks and his family were good people at their core to make her so happy.

Maybe I had learned to accept their relationship, but I could never accept how the Fokins made their vast fortune.

I also couldn't ruin the family gathering by making a big scene by storming out and dragging a confused Brooke with me. That wasn't my style, and who knew how a mansion full of mafia kings would react to something like that.

Things had to change, though, because there was no way I'd keep accepting their dirty money. I'd find a job without Katie knowing and somehow scrape my life back together without her help. There might be a way I could reconcile meeting with her sometimes, because the thought of giving up my sister or my niece-to-be nearly doubled me over with sorrow.

But I'd never take another dime from the Bratva.