Page 41 of Poisoned Roses

Two days ago, D suffered a catastrophic stroke. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.

We are negotiating for Russian oil to replace the current contracts the US have with the Middle East and I don’t need to tell you what that would mean for our country. Any break down in the chain would end the deal, prompting me to take steps to avert the crisis.

D is currently safe, being cared for by my personal medical staff, and has been placed in a coma for his own recovery. We are unsure of the effects as of this moment but can’t rule out he is no longer fit for office. Early indications show the left side of his brain is paralyzed along with the left-hand side of his body and you will know how serious that is for our country.

We arranged for his replacement while we work behind the scenes to restore him to full health. The body double is well aware of our requirements and is under close scrutiny. I am controlling him to control the country.

My reason for bringing you into this is if anything happens to me, we are vulnerable. Charles Kenricky must become President of the United States and you are the only man I trust to make that happen. The three of us must finish what we started all those years ago, and Denislav’s sudden incapacity must remain undetected.

We are so close to world domination and ensuring our two countries prosper. I will play my part in that and I am relying on you to do the same.

Your comrade

BF

My head spinsas my thought process takes over and I think of my father, caught in a web of intrigue he was unable to escape from. Our entire life has been built on a lie. His wealth grew quickly because of his connections and he sacrificed his soul to the devil to help change history, in return for great riches and a misguided sense of patriotism.

I still can’t believe our search uncovered their organization and watched helplessly as each founder member was removed from the game.

First my father, then his mistress, Veronica Scott-Stanley. Marsha Steele soon followed, along with Adele and Charles Kenricky.

Two men remain, one living and breathing and yet undergoing his own health problems and one barely alive, being impersonated to keep the country from descending into chaos

Our mother was also dragged into the viper’s nest and inflicted the final dose of poison to remove our father from life when he expressed his desire to leave her for Veronica. My blood boils as I reflect on the past and the lengths those men and women went to for money and power.

Boris isn’t stupid and knows he doesn’t have long and I’m guessing he is preparing for me to be his successor due to the fact Denislav has no natural one. I am their last hope to realize their dream, and my marriage to Tia is the catalyst to bring about change. We will rise as the unofficial King and Queen of Russia and he is hoping I will continue their good work long after they are gone.

I have another plan and unbeknown to Boris Fedorov it is already firmly in place.

I no longer wish to continue what they started all those years ago. There is only one thing driving my desire to see this through and it’s revenge on the people who dragged my family into secrets and lies and stripped my father of a happy life. Heexisted solely on the promise that when his sons were of an age to take over from him, he could finally enjoy the life he wanted with the woman he really loved. I will never forgive them, even though none of us would be here today, but I’m aware that to be controlled is not living at all.

The only reason I am allowing myself to be controlled by the same man is to seize the opportunity to end this, and when I walk away, life in Russia will be changed forever.

CHAPTER 22

TATIANA

My day is plunging into chaos. When Titus came to find me, it was to drag me to Russian Life for an interview as if nothing happened. I barely had time to compose myself before we are sitting in a studio fielding questions.

It appears that we are the hot topic of conversation and I try so hard to push aside the devastation I’m feeling and pretend I’m excited for our wedding.

Titus is a commanding figure who does most of the talking, and it appears the story we are going with is that he came to watch the ballet and we have been inseparable ever since.

The interviewer, a woman named Maria Hoskinov, can barely conceal her envy as she directs her next question at me.

“It appears that you have everything, Tatiana. Talent, incredible good looks and a captivating personality. I’m not surprised that Titus fell in love with you, but what attracted you to him?”

She smirks because it’s obvious what her meaning is. Titus is a billionaire and his money a temptation that not many could resist. He is also incredibly handsome and appears to have everything going for him and so I smile shyly and say softly, “Aside from the obvious, I truly believe he is my soulmate.”

Maria raises her eyes and I turn to the camera as if I am speaking to a close friend.

“He is the first man who has ever cared about the woman and not the dancer. He is attentive, kind, considerate and generous. I’m guessing no woman alive couldn’t help but fall in love with a man like that and for a woman who dances in fairytales for a living, I never expected my own one to be so fantastic.”

I turn to Titus and note his softened gaze in my direction and reach for his hand.

“I love him.” I say simply and I’m shocked that as I say the words, I mean them. I really think I do and I say to him in a whisper, “I fell in love at first sight, so to all those dreamers out there who wonder if it’s possible, I’m here to tell them it is.”

Maria clears her throat and says quickly, “Well, you heard it here first. Our new power couple is the real deal. Hopelessly in love, and it’s obvious they really do have everything.”

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