Page 17 of Ruby Menace

There’s a small sound behind me, and I’m dimly aware of Tiana standing at my back, her quiet presence felt more than seen. I know it’s unlikely that she understands what we’re saying, but her name must have registered within the flow of Russian. I don’t dwell on it though. My entire focus is on my mother. Her breath is rasping, her skin translucent. These are our last moments together; I know it even though every part of me resists the knowledge.

“She is a good girl, son. Strong. Gentle. A special woman. The kind of woman a man like you needs in his life.” My mother’s unfocused gaze shifts to where I know Tiana is standing. “Tiana, moy solnyshko,” she murmurs, her voice thready. She looks at me again. “Khoroshaya moya, you could be happy with her,” she murmurs. “You have always been my greatest pride. I won’t rest easy unless I know that you will be happy after I am gone.”

“You are not going yet, Mama.” Again, I’m lying. Although now, it’s for myself. I don’t want to let her go. She is the last connection I have to my family. The last of my line. I’m clinging to that thread.

Her gentle smile tells me she knows this. “Let an old woman die peacefully, Kirill. Tell me that you will find your joy.”

“I will, Mama. I promise.” Fuck it, this is breaking my goddamn heart. My voice almost breaks, so I clear my throat, my grip on her hand tightening as if I could hold her here longer.

“Good,” she sighs, her fingers growing slack within my grasp. “Very good.”

Despite her fading spirit, she seems unusually clear-headed. I clutch at feeble hope even though I can sense the life leaving her. Her gaze flits behind me, then back again, a serene smile touching her lips. She whispers something I can’t quite catch, her voice a mere breath. Her eyes drift shut, and I know that her spirit is taking flight. I sense it the moment she is gone. My fears are confirmed when her body grows limp and her breath flutters out.

She doesn’t draw another.

She’s gone.

“Mama!” My voice is raw as I gather her frail form in my arms, holding her close, refusing to let go. I stroke her silver hair, inhaling the scent of her lavender perfume, imprinting the memory of her in my mind. I will never forget the unwavering love she showed me, the sacrifices she made, the strength she instilled in me.

It’s only when I hear a muffled sob from behind me that I loosen my grip. Resting my mother tenderly back on the bed, I look over my shoulder to where Tiana is openly weeping, tears streaking her face. The sight makes my heart ache, but I steel myself, clenching my jaw as I tug the coverlet back over my mother’s chest and smooth her hair. So peaceful. She looks like she’s only sleeping.

I rise to my feet and face the others in the room. Behind the physician and the nurse, Dima stands, looking stricken. Two more of my men are in the doorway, shoulders bowed.

“Get out!” I don’t need to say anything more to have the room cleared within seconds. I follow them out into the adjoining living room, my blood boiling. What I need to say can’t be said in front of my mother, whether her spirit is here or not.

“Boss-” Dima begins.

“Why?” I bark out. “Why the fuck was I not told of this?” I glare around at the others. “Why was my mother on her deathbed, and the first I heard of it was just moments before her passing?”

“Mr. Vyronov, it was an unexpected turn. We couldn’t—” The doctor is wringing his hands.

“You couldn’t what?” I snap. “Do your job? She was well when I saw her this morning. Tired but well. And even now…” I point to the door behind which my mother lies cooling. “Even now, she was speaking as clearly as you or me. Yet she died. How?”

“It… it is c-common, Pakhan,” the doctor stutters. “We call it terminal lucidity. In the final moments, a patient can regain their mental clarity.”

“Bullshit!” I yell. “Something went wrong! Who is responsible for this?” I take a step toward the doctor, who shrinks back, ducking behind Dima.

“Nobody is responsible, bratan.” My second-in-command – my friend – keeps his voice soothing. “It was her time.”

“No!” I roar. “She had years ahead of her. You-!” I spin toward the nurse, who lets out a shriek. “Where were you? Did you leave her alone?”

“No, Pakhan. I would never! I swear it!”

“Lies!” I’m looking at everyone through a red haze as the rage continues to build. “And you!” I bear down on the men who had been standing with Dima. “She was in your care. You were responsible for her safety. At the first sign that these idiots were failing her, you should have told me!”

The thought of my mother being left alone in her time of need leaves me breathless with pain… a pain that leads to more fury. Because if I put her in the hands of people who abandoned her, I’m as guilty as they are.

Mne ochen’ zhal’…

“Nobody failed her, Kirill.” Dima’s voice is firm.

“Are you in on this, too?” My fists clench. “Then you will die also. All of you! Every fucking one of you!” I reach to the back of my waistband, where my pistol is normally tucked, but it’s not there. I’d dressed in such haste to get here that my shirt is barely buttoned. I rake a hand through my hair, turning on the spot as I look about, wild-eyed as if a weapon might magically materialize.

Somebody’s going to get hurt for this.

Someone has to suffer!

“Kirill…” Tiana’s voice comes to me through a fog. “Kirill, it’s not their fault.” Her hand is on my arm, and I stare down at it. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers, her eyes filled with tears. “I know it hurts… I know it makes no sense right now. But nobody is responsible. It was her time.”

---