Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

C aroline

It wasn't every day that someone found out their own father was a lying sack of shit.

Or that he'd been partially responsible for his daughter's near death. Okay, so I hadn't called either one of my parents. I'd known what they'd say.

"You've embarrassed us as I knew you would."

How many times had I been called into my father's office so he could express his disappointment with me? So many I couldn't count them up on two hands and my feet. Maybe that's why pink hair had been the perfect color. Still, I was furious, so angry I wasn't certain what to do.

Here I was standing in a wet bathing suit, enjoying an incredible afternoon around people who treated me like family and this… fuckhead of a human being was planning on destroying so many lives. No, I didn't understand all of what I'd read. And no, I shouldn't talk about my father that way or jump to any conclusions, but it was tough.

I'd sensed my father was capable of evil doings, but this was… I had to wonder how deep this group of men setting out to control all of New York went.

I chewed on my lower lip as I paced the floor of the bedroom I'd been given. This was my private space filled with my shitty rathole clothes, as my father would say. I'd wanted and tried to please my parents over the years, but it hadn't mattered that I'd graduated from high school a year early, college the same. It hadn't mattered I'd been valedictorian of both or that I'd been awarded several scholarships on my own.

No, nothing mattered. I remained a fuckup to the man and likely to my mother as well. She'd spent her entire life kowtowing to him, preferring all her fancy clothes and jewels to protecting her own daughter. Damn her.

The light rap on the door made me suck in my breath. Of course, I knew who was standing outside. I was no fool. Then again, I wanted Vadim to comfort me.

He didn't wait for me to decide whether or not it was okay to come in, doing so with his usual flair. The only difference was that he looked entirely different with a bathing suit on. I'd been shocked seeing him in one and that he'd dared enter the pool. I would never have thought in a million years he'd take the time, let alone enjoy something so… non-powerful.

I guess it was time for me to stop judging a book by its cover. I'd obviously been wrong about a whole hell of a lot of things and people.

He walked in, larger than life as usual, and I could tell by my hesitancy to look in his eyes that I was devastated. When he gripped both my arms, I shuddered from his touch alone. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not entirely certain how to answer that. However, while I was shocked to have my father's atrocities shoved in my face, and I'm certain what I saw was just the tip of the iceberg, I'm not surprised. I've always known in the back of my mind he crossed the line of right and wrong a long time ago to get where he is in business and in life. I just hope the bastard is crucified. And whoever crony friends he's working with. I assume you found them out. If not, I can go hunting."

"Whoa. You're not doing any hunting, but you don't need to. My computer expert was able to find enough damning information, I could use it to blackmail several men or bring them down in other ways. Joe is still putting together some of the data."

"What are you thinking about, killing them?"

Vadim laughed. "While I do enjoy acts of brutality more than some and refuse to accept traitorous activity, it wouldn't be in my best interest to go on a killing spree. There are too many high-ranking officials involved, more to be determined."

My eyes opened wide. "So what are they trying to accomplish, a world takeover? World peace? Domination? What?"

"Well, I think they are building an entirely different set of operations in various wealthy countries, which will allow them to ignore certain rules for construction required here in the States. In addition, I think they believe they can push the various crime syndicates off their axis points, which will gain them further clout. And perhaps they could pick up some crumbs when our businesses crumble."

"You can't allow that to happen. Don't you talk with these other mafia groups? Maybe you can work together."

He was laughing, his eyes shimmering intensely. "You have no idea how intelligent or perceptive you are. I've already had a discussion with the three other leaders in my arena."

"I'll be damned. You thought this all along. You've been planning." I rested my face into his palm, savoring the few seconds.

"I've been around the block a few times, my cherished one. I can smell a skunk or a weasel from miles away. Now, I need to ask you a question. Do you want to warn your father I'm coming for him, which will give him an opportunity to back out and cover his tracks?"

I was shocked he was asking me that. "Seriously?"

"I don't tend to kid about business, my sweet. I am being very serious. With what I have in mind, your father's entire world will be destroyed, which will mean whatever inheritance or trust fund you have will be at minimum frozen if not taken altogether."

"I can't believe you'd consider doing that for me." I looked away. I did understand what he was saying and while I didn't want to be rash, I also wasn't going to be treated badly any longer by anyone. "The answer is hell, no. That bastard has been holier than thou his entire life, pretending as if people like me are bad seeds. Well, guess what? I don't need his money. I don't care if I need to live in a tiny, cramped apartment for the rest of my life. At least I can do it with my head held high. Of course, I'll have to start from scratch, but I don't care."

His laugh was sweet versus anything else. "I assure you that you won't want for anything, zavetnyy ."

"And you know I'm not looking for handouts. I will work like a dog for everything I get."

"Shush, little one. A plan needs to be made. I think this group is working through a few minor details and plans on launching whatever their final desperate plan is. I'm not going to allow that to happen."

"So what did you have in mind?"

"Something a bit… out there and perhaps something they won't anticipate. But… I will need your help."

"Whatever it is, I'm game."

"You're certain? Once in, I'm afraid you won't have the opportunity of backing out."

I arched my back, placing my hands on his chest like I'd done in the pool. At that moment I'd wanted the rest of the world to disappear. Right now, I knew the people he trusted and cared for, I could as well. Maybe being so comfortable in this house for so many years should have opened my eyes, telling me something.

My family was twisted, not the norm.

And here they said Vadim was a bad man. "Didn't I already tell you that there is something wicked inside of me?"

Every time he laughed, I shivered. "Yes, you did. Just be careful. This must be played out carefully."

I held up my hands with three fingers. "Girl Scout's honor."

"Uh-huh. And I know better."

"So what can I do?"

"Let me think," he said as he rubbed the three-day sexy stubble on his chin. "You can marry me. Of course this is business for what I have in mind. Or at least you can allow people to think we're getting married."

Most girls would be thrilled, jumping up and down for joy at having the man of their dreams asking them to marry him. But I wasn't most girls and he was using our connection to get back at his enemies. "Are you asking? I mean a girl does need to be asked."

"Yeah, I'm asking. Maybe I should say, I'm telling you that you're going to marry me."

He pulled me onto my toes and as usual, I swooned. I hoped that would last for as long as we were playing house. Who knew. Maybe all my dreams would come true. "Well, since you put it that way, I guess I have no other choice but to accept."

"No, you do not."

"This should be fun," Sofiya said while the three of us stood in the insanely gorgeous dress shop. It was the kind of place where customers were handed glasses of Krug champagne, provided with munchies like fresh strawberries and individual chocolates while listening to a beautiful Spanish guitar over the unseen speakers.

"Fun? Yes, it will be," I told the girls, glancing at Daniella, who was sprawled out in one of three velvet loveseats positioned in front of a massive three-way mirror.

"Don't you look comfy," Sofiya barked at her. The girl did have one leg hanging over the arm, kicking her booted heel against the chair, sucking down her second glass of champagne.

"Hey, I like champagne and strawberries. Hand me one of those. Will ya?" She was being more playful than I was used to, which had allowed me to take several breaths over the last few days.

Almost a week had gone by. A week of planning. Of worrying. Of hoping. I wasn't entirely certain what emotions I felt but the mixture had kept me awake at night. Yes, Vadim had been there to comfort and care, to make me hot and bothered but until this bullshit was over, I would never be able to relax.

What little hadn't been destroyed in my apartment had been collected by men working for him and put into a neat little storage box. Yes, I knew Joshua was partially to blame, leaving me out to dry as if I wasn't a person.

I should hate him for his greed and stupidity, but he'd been as much a pawn as I had been. He'd paid for it with his life. At least he'd tried to warn me.

"You're a putz, sis," Sofiya said as she tossed a strawberry.

"Better a putz than a bitch."

I was hearing them but part of me wasn't listening. This did seem real to me, too much so. Maybe the fairytale had been stuck in my mind to the point I was being a girlie girl about even buying the right dress. What did it matter? It was all fake. Right?

"Earth to the girl of the hour," Sofiya said as she flanked my side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just… I guess I want to find the right dress. I don't want to disappoint."

She turned me with a hard jerk, narrowing her eyes just like her father could do. "Listen to me. You spent years trying to prove your wealth to your mother and father and to yourself. You don't need to do that. You're beautiful. You're intelligent. You're sophisticated yet playful. In my mind, you're perfect."

Daniella coughed on purpose. "Is there something you want to tell me, sis, like maybe you prefer girls?"

"Ha. You know better. I have a hot man coming with me to the big event."

"You do know this is all fake. Right?" I flipped through the new batch of dresses and groaned.

"I am finished with you not being able to see how amazing you are." She cursed under her breath as she took over trying to find the right outfit, finally jerking a hot red number into her hand. "Here. Try this on and don't give me any crap. You know I'll give it right back." She yanked the glass from my hand, pushing me toward the dressing room.

"Are you always this bossy?" I asked, and of course I knew the answer.

"You bring it out of me."

All three of us laughed. I thought I'd lost my best friends. "Thanks for being here."

Daniella and Sofiya looked at each other, smirking. What were they doing smirking?

"Go. Now," Sofiya barked.

"Yes, Sergeant." I saluted and headed in. The dressing room was bigger than most walk-in closets I'd seen complete with soft lighting, a plush chair, a lovely table to put a drink, and of course the piped-in music. I glared at myself in the mirror for a few seconds before nodding to the girl staring back at me.

I'd changed over the last two weeks. So much so I barely recognized myself. But that was okay. I was almost twenty-seven years old and certainly not a child any longer. I'd allowed my parents and their attitudes to push me into a corner.

What was one of my favorite movie lines? No one was putting this baby in a corner. If they did, this woman would come back fighting. I shucked my usual attire, jeans and my red Converse tennis shoes, sliding into the incredibly expensive and gorgeous piece. I'd worn my hair up on purpose, thinking that's how I would style it for tomorrow night's festivities.

Vadim had said the occasion would highlight the best fireworks in the city. He hadn't let me in on every detail of what he was planning but enough to allow me to know the night would be… interesting.

The dress on, I took a step back, twisting and turning. Not only did a smile cross my face but a sense of relief passed through me.

I pulled a pair of matching heels from a box that Sofiya had already placed in the dressing room, struggling to get them on. I stood back one more time, feeling more confident than I had in a long time.

What had happened to the young girl who'd preferred burying her nose in a book or a computer versus living for real?

When I stepped out, the two girls were jabbering as they'd done for as long as I could remember. They were both employed by incredible companies, living amazing lives of sophistication and often travel, but they could still be the girls who squealed over whatever popstar all three of us liked.

It was Daniella who noticed me first, slowly climbing off her perch, her mouth hanging open. "Oh. My. God. You are… gorgeous. My father will not know what hit him."

Sofiya clasped her hands over her mouth, shaking her head.

"Is that good or bad?" I asked.

As she fanned her face, tears springing to her eyes, I could feel my usual warm flush creeping up on my cheeks.

"You look like a princess," she finally said.

"I wouldn't go that far. I look okay." I moved onto the platform, shocked to see the reflection of two of the store clerks who were smiling.

"Get the present," Sofiya instructed.

"You're not the boss lady," Daniella threw back but pulled something from her purse, handing it to Sofiya.

It was a box wrapped in silver foil with a sexy red bow. She had a look on her face that was entirely different than her usual playful one.

"What is that?" I asked, stepping off the platform once again.

"You'll need to open it and find out. Won't you?" Sofiya stuck it out in front of me.

Exhaling, I narrowed my eyes but took it from her. I pulled the bow, placing it gingerly on the side table, even taking my time to peel away the tape.

"I bet you're fun Christmas morning," Daniella said and laughed.

"Oh, I was lucky if I got maybe two presents under the tree. Three if my mom felt like getting me another one. I cherished opening them." I'd never really told either one how bad it was at my house. For all the money and things, all I'd really wanted was for my parents to care and take the time. I hadn't needed a diamond watch when I was ten. I'd wanted books and board games, a doll even but I never got any of those.

"Jesus. I hate your parents," Sofiya said.

With the paper finally off, I gingerly opened the lid. I was shocked to see the most beautiful ruby and diamond necklace.

"I know you don't like jewelry much, but I think this kind of event calls for something extraordinary." Sofiya had sadness in her voice.

"It's gorgeous. But… I've seen this before. Right?" I lifted my head and noticed the tears slipping past her lashes. "This was your mother's." When she nodded, I pushed the lid back on. "No, I cannot take this. It belongs to you. She's your family. Your mother. A memory."

She came closer, wrapping her arms around me. "You're family now too. You've always been our sister but now you're going to officially be a part of our lives forever."

I'd never been so touched by a gesture in my life. When I finally pulled away, I had to wipe tears from my eyes. "You do know this engagement is fake, right?"

The two girls looked at each other and even fake yawned like they used to do as kids. Then Sofiya held up my hand. "Funny how that rock on your finger says otherwise."

Vadim had insisted he buy me a huge diamond ring, which I'd tried to convince him not to do. It had to be ten carats if not more, which was silly. "It's just an object."

"Uh-huh. You're a silly girl if you think my father will ever let you get away," Daniella told me. "You are exactly what Daddy needs and wants and for the first time since either one of us can remember, our father is actually living."

"Exactly. If Dad is dumb enough to let you go, we will never talk to him again."

"Stop. I can't keep crying." I was the one fanning my face.

"We are the three musketeers, you know," Daniella added.

"Yes, we are," I told them, hugging both girls.

Family.

It was funny that most people put so much importance in blood relations. I'd found more acceptance and joy in a family that I'd now all but adopted.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe this could be forever.

Maybe…