Page 123 of Shadows of Obsession

"As you probably know, Ivan is dead and couldn't give us the real answer. Aleksandr, however, is forbidden to return here and I already have people hunting him in Chicago. I assume he knows about your connection with Maksim and sought revenge. Your conflict with the Irish was the perfect path," he states calmly, but there's slight irritation in his voice.

I think it bothers him that this betrayal slipped past him.

Ivan Rastovski was never officially part of the Russian mafia, but other lieutenants used his influence and resources to move shipments since he controlled the ports.

What I don't understand is how Ilya allowed that predator to associate with them.

"You knew what else Ivan was involved in, didn't you?" If he says yes, he better have an explanation ready.

"Of course. And before you accuse me of being involved, Roman, ask yourself why your twin brother is still alive when for more than twenty years he's been plotting to kill that worm," he says, and there's a weight in his voice that indicates he too was involved in this plot.

I know he won't reveal all his secrets, but my instinct tells me Ilya didn't willingly accept what Ivan was doing.

I hang up the phone, and all I want is to hold Luna in my arms. The thought that she could have ever been part of something similar to the torments Ivan's victims went through makes me see red.

She's safe. My whole family is safe.

Epilogue

?

Luna

It's Christmas Day, and everyone is in the house. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone, including Anton, Sergey, and Goran at the table with us because we didn't want to exclude them. They're part of our daily lives, and Victoria cares for them all like older brothers. It's funny watching her surrounded by all these men who look like they've stepped out of the Special Forces.

Even Julia and Maksim showed up, though Max has a stone face and the only time he relaxed was when he gave Victoria their gift.

Her own machine gun. Yep. That's what she got.

I shake my head while watching Niko, who's explaining for the fourth time why she can't have a car.

Anuska bustles around trying to put food on everyone's plates, while Goran inspects each gift before letting Victoria see it.

"What a family." Julia's voice comes from behind me.

Her hair is tied in a high ponytail, making the strands swing with each step. She's wearing cargo pants and a brown T-shirt that perfectly complements her olive skin. She has a natural beauty that no makeup could do justice to.

"Tell me about it," I say with a laugh.

"You’re lucky to have each other," she whispers, and I sense a trace of regret in her voice.

We've managed to spend some time together discussing plans for the human trafficking victims Max is trying to save, but I didn't want to intrude into her life. I know she's been through things she doesn't want to talk about.

"You know you and Max are part of this family now," I tell her, trying to figure out what's going through her head.

"I have two sisters in Mexico. Every Christmas I think of them. They're safe. That's all that matters, but with each year I'm not with them, I feel like I'm losing a piece of my soul," she whispers, and the pain in her voice feels so raw.

"Can't you bring them here? Now that Max has taken power?" I don't know all the details, but I haven't heard of any ongoing conflicts.

"It's not time yet. Aleksandr has disappeared and I won't risk their lives," she tells me, and her eyes go to Max who's in a conversation with Anton. "I wanted him to have this so badly. Before I got to Russia, I had a family, Luna. I had the warmth of a home. He didn't. You know the first gift anyone ever gave him was from me? How do you not receive any gifts until you're nineteen?" she says, and my soul aches listening to her.

I take her hand and squeeze it.

"I think you are the greatest gift of his life, Julia."

Because anyone who looks at them sees how the air changes around them when they're next to each other.

"And he's mine," she whispers.

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