Page 58 of Fallen Roses

“How?”

My heart is beating faster as I sense the mystery ending and she leans back and smiles, as if she is right back there in Switzerland.

“We were invincible, or at least we thought so. The four girls and four exciting men who dropped into ourlives one fateful night. I was always drawn to Andrei. He wasn’t the loudest of them all, but extremely thoughtful and considerate. He was hard working and had a commanding presence even back then.”

She smiles, gazing at the photograph of them both that she keeps on the side table.

“He was handsome too, extremely so. Like you, Titus. Like all of you, really.”

She smiles happily and my heart breaks for her.

“I know he caught Veronica’s eye. She couldn’t tear her attention away from him. Adele and Charles became an item very quickly and Marsha, well, one man wasn’t enough for her. She tried all four of them, but your father only had eyes for me.”

“And Veronica.” Titus adds cruelly and mama turns on him angrily.

“I’ve had enough of your snide comments, Titus. Show me some respect. If your father was here–”

“But he’s not.” He growls. “He was poisoned in his own home, and shall I tell you why?”

Silence descends on the room as mama stares at the floor, rigid with fear.

Titus snarls, “Because pa was leaving you to be with her. It’s in this letter. He was leaving you mama and you couldn’t bear the thought of it.”

Mama shakes her head. “No, you’re lying.”

“Then please explain why I found a document signed by him that appoints me as his successor, along with a resignation letter from Romanov industries and travelplans to Australia booked under the names Andrei Romanov and Veronica Scott-Stanley.”

Mama gasps and I stare at them both in shock as Titus growls, “Not to mention the divorce papers that are lodged with his solicitor awaiting your signature.”

“You’re lying.”

Tears are cascading down mama’s face and as she makes to stand, Titus says forcefully, “Now tell us the fucking truth, mama. Did you kill our father?”

CHAPTER 31

JAMES

My eyes are burning as if someone has lit a flame and is holding it against my irises.

Since Ana left, I buried my pain in work. I’m mindful I’m now responsible for the entire organization and I’m determined to pay back her brother’s trust in me. I checked on Dylan and for the first time he dropped the attitude and we had a normal conversation, where he admitted he was enjoying the experience. He always had a thing for fighting and guns, and I wonder why we never considered the military an option before.

Once I knew he was happy, it shifted a huge weight off my shoulders and along with the fact Adele no longer features in my life; I am free for the first time it seems. The only piece missing is Ana.

Knowing she is in Russia leaves a huge hole in my heart that can only be filled when she is back in myarms. I understand why she had to leave, and I wish I could be there for her, but it wasn’t appropriate.

So, I throw myself into work and burn the candle at both ends. When I leave the office, it’s with my work to finish at home and I am soon at my desk in the early hours of the morning, attempting to unravel the mystery lying between the numbers entered on the company spreadsheets.

I can’t believe I never saw it myself. Along with Eric’s help, we’ve uncovered a group of individuals hiding behind failing businesses with connections to other companies dealing heavily with Russian ones. By searching outside the usual channels, we uncovered a trail that could land us on the evening news because it appears that Ana was right. Russian money is being injected into our system via huge donations.

The men in question use ailing companies but live the lifestyle of a billionaire, their personal wealth surpassing those of successful businesses. They all share the same address book and as I write my report for Titus Romanov, I wonder what he will do with the information.

I haven’t met him myself, but our conversations reveal a man of few words and a calculating mind. He is businesslike and to the point and his professional manner impresses me. He has made no mention of Ana and, unlike her brother Mikhail, has not threatened me, or warned me off and I take comfort in that. Readingbetween the lines, I feel accepted and I will not give them any reason to doubt their trust in me.

“Sir–” Angela pokes her head around the door.

I glance up and she makes a face. “I’m sorry, but there’s a woman to see you and she doesn’t have an appointment.”

“What does she want?”

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