Page 94 of Brutal Promise

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“Aunt Emma,”I exclaim as I dress at the palace. My aunt is a tall woman with gray hair. She is in her late sixties and beams at me, giving me a hug as soon as I enter the little room meant for the bride-to-be.

“How are you? I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you came.” I hug her tightly before stepping back to take another view of her. She’s wearing a light blue chiffon dress and matching shoes.

“I never dreamed you’d be marrying so young. I suppose once you moved to New York, it was only a matter of time.” She laments that I’ve grown up. “You’re so pretty. Your mother would have loved to be here today.”

“I know.” I frown.

She takes me in. I’m wearing a Chanel suit with matching shoes. My hair is in an updo, courtesy of a glam squad that arrived at our home before sunrise. What is it with these early mornings? All I want to do is sleep and forget my suspicion that my husband is using me to get ahead in the bratva. Only I can’t figure out why, exactly.

“She would be so proud of you, Isabella. You were the light of her life. I’m so happy to have met you both. How is Dmitry, and what happened in New York that you couldn’t contact me?”

“I think it’s a mistaken identity thing.” I lie. “I’m sorry if I worried you. I’m sure everything will pass in time.” I make light of my situation and hope I don’t go to hell for lying, but I don’t want her to worry. “I’m so happy you made it. It’s all Dmitry’s family here. Alena is here too. Did you see here?”

Alena morphs to my side. We hug.

“Alena, I love you so much,” I whisper in her ear.

“I love you too. You look incredible.”

“Do you remember my aunt?”

“Yes.” She turns to Aunt Emma and hugs her. We took a few road trips to see her over the past few years. The three of us could watch our favorite movies together and make homemade pizzas for dinner.

“So, Auntie, do you remember my mother saying anything about who my father might have been?”

“Your mother was very guarded about her past. Have you learned something?”

I shrug. “I don’t know if I’ll ever find out. But Mom most likely changed her name. I have a feeling she was in trouble.”

“She never liked answering questions. It was as if her past didn’t exist. She was very protective of you.”

“Did you know James Murphy? I remember they dated for some time.” I’m being coy to see if she’ll give me some tidbit of information.

“He was a nice man. I liked him. But I suspected he had things to hide as well. He had plenty of cash for a man his age.”

“What do you mean?”

“He loved to spoil your mother. Which reminds me.” She walks to a chair in the room and retrieves her purse. She pulls out a long rectangular box and hands it to me. “This is for you. They were your mother’s. I’m sure you remember her wearing this on fancy date nights.”

I open the box, and inside are Mom’s pearl necklace and pendant earrings.

“Wow, I forgot about these.”

“Well, you can’t wear them every day. However, you wore them to prom.”

I did. I remember going with a girlfriend from high school. I think I had anger over being alone in the world and held everyone at arm’s length except Emma. I loved her with all my heart for taking care of me. She’s sweet and rarely lifted her voice at me. She is the picture of patience. She never gets overly excited.

I take the pearls and look up at her.

“I’ll put them on after you get into your dress.”

“Thank you.” I hand back the pearls and the box to her for safekeeping.

“Well, it’s time to get you in your dress,” Alena interrupts.

“There she is,” an excited voice greets me as a door opens, and Anya breezes in. She’s in light blue as well and beaming. She’s wearing a stunning necklace of sapphires around her exquisite neck. “I hope I’m not imposing, but I wanted to welcome you to the family and make sure you have everything you need.”

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