Page 11 of The Umarova Crime Family

“Then why are you telling me about her, and why is she warming your bed? You’re too old for meaningless things, brother. Eventually, you’re going to grow tired of being alone. I know I did.”

“Yes, well, I’m not you. Plus, I’d rather focus on more pressing issues at hand than my love life. Anzor did this to you, and we need to find him.”

I raise a brow and take a seat in my office chair. It’s cushioned very well, but the seat is still hard against my skin. “What do you mean we have to find him?” I try to get comfortable, but after a few moments, I think I’m better off standing, so I rise.

“Anzor’s been gone for a few weeks.”

As my brother speaks, more things start making sense inside my mind. “Let me guess, for about the same amount of time I’ve been gone.”

Lom nods.

To say I’m furious is a drastic understatement. Anzor lied to me time and time again. He took my family’s name and power as his own when he’s always been a fraud. What pisses me off even more is how my mother always turned a blind eye to it. She chose to do it. I didn’t think she really understood what was going on years ago, but I think she knew exactly what was happening. She never did a damn thing about it, either. He clearly wanted power, and he did everything he could to get it.

“I don’t understand how she never did a damn thing about it. She let him get away with all of this for years,” I hiss, shaking my head. I bring my hand to the top of my hair and run my fingers through it.

“Are you talking about Mother?”

“Who else would I be talking about?” I don’t mean to snap at Lom, but I do. I’m furious, and all this anger is eating away at me.

“You’re allowed to be angry at someone, but it won’t be her. I know you’re furious. I can imagine why you’re so angry, but Mother has nothing to do with this. So leave her out of it. She’s only ever been concerned about our safety.”

“Oh, so I’m supposed to believe she made every choice she has to keep us safe? That’s laughable.”

“She’s our mother. Of course, she’s done everything she could to keep us safe!”

“I’ve had enough. I’m not going to talk to you about this any longer. It’s pointless, and I’m far too tired to go through this shit with you!” I roar and head for the study door. I pull it open and head up the stairwell.

The only thing I need to do right now is to be with Amelia. I’ve longed to hold her against my body for ages, and now I’ll finally get the opportunity.

Chapter Seven

Amelia

Ruslan came to bed so angry the other night. He didn’t want to talk about it, but I assume he got into some sort of spat with his brother. He and Lom haven’t seen each other since the day he was rescued, but he told me this morning he’s going to speak with Lom tomorrow before we leave Chechnya and head back home to the States. I didn’t pry too much, but when I asked if everything was going to be okay, he told me it would. He said it had to do with an argument within the family, and they’d sort it out before we headed back to Atlanta.

Ruslan’s been doing pretty well over the past few days, better than I thought he’d be doing. He likes to keep busy but isn’t doing too much because he gets exhausted a lot sooner. It’s to be expected for a while, I think.

When we woke up this morning, he insisted that we get out of the house. I tried to tell him it wouldn’t kill us to stay in today, but he said it was our last day in Chechnya, and he wanted to show me some spectacular places before we left.

It’s about midday now, and Ruslan had one of his people fetch an outfit he chose for me. It’s a cherry-red dress with sleeves that go from my shoulder and stop at my upper arm, baring my shoulders. It kind of gives a cold-shoulder vibe, and I really like that about the dress. It stops just below my knees and complements my figure. I’m wearing a pair of black strappy heels with it, and it completes the look perfectly.

I head down the stairs into the foyer and find Emily chatting with Lom. Even though Lom and Ruslan haven’t been seeing eye to eye, Lom’s still been here. Personally, I think he’s been very worried about his brother, and this is his way of making sure he’s safe while he’s home.

Redness shoots over Emily’s cheeks as she laughs in a carefree manner, and then her eyes land on me. “You look amazing. Are you heading out?”

I nod. “Yeah, Ruslan wants to take me out on the town before we leave tomorrow.”

Lom narrows his brows at me. “You’re all leaving tomorrow?” Did he not know we were leaving?

“Yeah, I assumed Ruslan told you the other night?”

Lom’s lips tighten, and he shakes his head. “No, I’m afraid not. I appreciate you letting me know.” I wasn’t trying to let Lom know anything. The last thing I want to do is get caught up in some family drama.

Footsteps against the wooden floors cause me to look up, and Ruslan’s now coming down the stairs. “Are you ready for our date?”

I can’t help but smile at his question. I’m so ready for our date—beyond ready for it, really. “Yes,” is all I tell him because I don’t want to seem like some excited, giddy schoolgirl. I’m sure before me, he’s always had women falling at his feet, but I’ve never been that type of woman with him. I’ve found a backbone while being with Ruslan. A backbone I didn’t have with my ex, Carter.

Ruslan approaches me, still moving a bit slower than usual, and takes my hand in his. A warm feeling rushes over me, and I revel in it. This isn’t something I ever felt with Carter. Most of the time, I found I wanted to pull my hand away from his grasp. With Ruslan, it couldn’t be more different. With him, I feel safe and protected.

---