Page 121 of Rise of the Queen

If she could do it, why couldn’t I?

I’m not sure she would ever know the role she played in my life, but I knew I would do everything in my power to make sure she was always safe and she was always protected. No matter what.

I glanced back at Armando, who was still blankly staring ahead, as we pulled into the driveway of the nursing home. “We’re here,dick.”

I was going to have to watch myself and make sure I didn’t say his new name with that tone in front of anyone inside …

I was greeted by an administrator, as well as a nurse, when we pulled up. They were expectingdick. We had called and given his fake back story already. It was tragic, really. His dear wife, whom he loved with all his heart, died tragically in a freak accident while on vacation a few years ago. She was such a bubbly personality and he just adored listening to her tell stories and talk endlessly about every little detail of her life. After she passed, he couldn’t stand the silence. He turned to drugs to try and fill the void and it caused him to have a massive stroke. The doctors said the damage was extensive and he would never recover. He’d remain in a waking coma for the rest of his life.

They had his room all set up for him, with his new roomie just dying to meet him. She’d been so lonely without anyone to talk to that she’d been telling the nurses all week how excited she was to get someone to talk to. I met her. She was a dear woman. Talked my ear off for twenty minutes while they got paperwork together for me to sign. It was going to be the absolute best end to Armando’s life that any of us could’ve conceived.

Before I left, I leaned down to Armando’s ear, whispering, “Next time, if someone tells you to jump off the roof, you should do so.”

I can’t be sure, but I think he flinched.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Sephie

Vitaliy had finally furnished hisnew house, which was Armando’s old house, and had been there for a week. He invited all of us over for dinner the day that Stephen took Armando to the nursing home, as a bit of a celebration. Like we were going to say no to that …

Battista had come back to the city the day before, so he joined us for dinner. He had information on Ricardo and the other three bosses for us, as well as more information on the police commissioner. He was proving to be quite the asset for us.

I’d never been to Vitaliy’s house when it was still Armando’s house, so this was a bit of an adventure for me. I did make sure to tell him to check all the windows on the first floor before he moved in, just in case. You can never be too careful.

Vitaliy greeted us warmly when we arrived, his smile that showed up quite often now spreading across his face when we walked in. “Malishka, I’m happy to see you,” he said, opening his arms for me.

“I’ve missed you, old man,” I said, hugging him. I turned to Battista, who had been standing next to Vitaliy. “Battista, it’sgood to see you again, as well.” He took my hand, flipping it over to kiss the back of it, like normal.

“Sephie, it’s always a pleasure,” he said. He had a devious glint to his eye that made me think he wanted something.

“Out with it, Battista. Who do you need help with?” I asked.

He looked at Vitaliy, who was laughing. He didn’t say anything, but he reached into his pocket, pulling out a money clip that was holding a wad of hundred-dollar bills. He counted off five and handed them to Vitaliy, folding the rest back up and putting them back in his pocket. He turned back to me, smiling. “Another business associate I’m unsure about. They’ll be here in five days,” he said.

“Another woman?” I asked. Adrik was behind me as I greeted Vitaliy and Battista both, but he had pulled me against him when he heard Battista needed me for something.

Battista shook his head no. “Not a woman this time. This guy has been influential in Europe for years, but there’s something about him that many people don’t like. Only, no one knows why. Vitaliy has met him before, but it’s been years. He didn’t feel anything off about him then, but the feeling has persisted. You,” he said, then paused to look at Adrik and the guys, before continuing, “all of you, offer a much more detailed picture. When Ricardo goes down, I have a feeling he’s only the first domino. I would like to have those who are connected to me completely vetted before that happens.”

“She doesn’t go anywhere without all of us,” Adrik said, pulling me tighter against him.

“Nor would I want her to. I value all of your insights. I still don’t know the specifics of how you’re all connected, but I know you are. If this associate can pass this test, then I won’t need to worry about him,” Battista said.

“Let us know when and where then,” Adrik said.

The conversation turned to small talk. I asked Vitaliy for a tour of the house, since I’d never been there. He gladly obliged, taking my hand and sliding it through his arm as he walked me around the house. I could tell it made the guys slightly itchy to let me go with him alone, but they did.

“How’s Ilya working out?” I asked once we were alone.

He exhaled loudly. “Much better than the little flowers. I didn’t realize how much I’d come to despise them until they were gone. He told me his training was not where it should be, but he’s quite good already. It won’t take any time to catch him up. Most importantly, he wishes to be caught up.” He looked down at me, a sly grin on his face. “You inspired him, malishka,” he said.

“Shut up. When?”

“He saw you with Ivan. He remembers Ivan from when he was younger. He said he wished to be able to hold his own against Ivan as well as you did the other day.”

I laughed. “Ivan still takes it very easy on me, Vitaliy. He shouldn’t be that impressed.”

He clicked his tongue. “I’ve seen Ivan fight plenty of times. You made him work. You’re very fast.”

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