Page 18 of Thorns of Lust
“Tatiana–”
“I said I’m fine,” I snapped and a pained expression flickered across her beautiful face.
Instantly, regret washed over me. I didn’t like hurting her. Nor my brothers. And that was all I’ve been doing lately.
“You’re not fine,” she said firmly. “You were there for me when I needed you. Even when I didn’t want you there witnessing my pain. So whether you like it or not, I am here and will be here to stay.”
“No, you’re not,” I hissed in a low tone. “You have your kids. Your family.”
I stared stubbornly at that spot on the floor straight ahead. The single faulty piece of marble that didn’t fit in with the rest of the tiles. It made no sense, but when I redecorated our bedroom, I insisted that they install that piece of tile, despite throwing off the entire bathroom. It gave it an extra something. Adrian disagreed. He said it took away something. Whatever.
“Tatiana, I know you’re thinking life is over.” It was fucking over. “I thought so too when I-I–” She gulped, swallowing her own emotions. “When I had that miscarriage. When Vasili dumped me. But it’s not the end of it. It’s hard in the beginning, but you keep pushing. Find things to live for and then when you least expect it, life throws you the most wonderful curveball. You helped me when I needed help. I fully intend to help you. That’s what family is for.”
That dark day rushed to my mind. I was terrified when I found Bella curled up on the floor of our dorm bathroom, blood staining her clothes. It scared the living daylights out of me. My first instinct was to call my brothers, but she refused it. So the two of us powered through. When I rushed her to the hospital, seeing her bleeding out in my car, I was terrified.
I was petrified of losing her. I was mad at myself for missing all the signs. She’d needed my help, but I didn’t see it until I found her bleeding out. Maybe she was returning the favor. Maybe my best friend was seeing something I couldn’t.
After all, she kept me at arm’s length. She wanted to grieve alone and I refused to give her space. She needed me and I was there for her - whether she liked it or not. I was never too good of a listener. If I ignored her, would she eventually go away?
“It’s okay to admit it, you know,” Isabella whispered softly. I turned my head and gave her a blank look. “That you’re hurting. That something inside of you cracked when Adrian died.” It was so much more than a crack. It all shattered. “It only means it can be repaired. Adrian is dead but you are very much alive. Your life didn’t end. You have to move on and live. Adrian would want you to live. And I know you can do it. You’re strong, Tatiana. Stronger than most women I know.”
She leaned over and pressed a kiss on my cheek. “Whenever you need me, I’m here.”
A little, golden box with a rose bow landed on my lap. Like it was a foreign object. A box wrapped the same way as Adrian’s first gift to me. I stared at it, unwilling to reach for it, afraid to open it. What if it was something Adrian ordered before–
“What’s this?” I croaked.
“It was just delivered,” she said, getting back to her feet. “I assumed you’d ordered it. I’ll let you open it in peace.”
She left the bathroom and my fingers slowly reached for the box. I turned it over in my hand, searching for a message. For an address. Something.
There was nothing.
I slowly pulled on the fancy bow, letting it unfold like a wilted rose. My fingers shook as I opened the box. The smooth velvet box sat inside the golden box. Pushing the little button, the box opened.
A diamond necklace sat in the box, but it wasn’t that which caught my eye. It was the rubies in the shape of a red rose with green emeralds for thorns in the setting, like an embedded pendant.
A single card laid under it and I pulled it out. Two words.Memento Mori.What the hell did that mean?
It had to be delivered to the wrong place. Shoving the note into the box, I closed it and tossed the velvet box onto the counter.
I made it back into the room twenty minutes later, Aurora and Isabella still struggling with the stupid star.
“Give it to me,” I grumbled, approaching them with an extended hand. My sisters-in-law acted like I’d just asked for last rites. Their eyes widened as they watched me like I grew a second head. “Just don’t let me fall.”
“Ummm, should we wait a bit?” Aurora suggested. “Maybe you can eat something and have some water.” When I narrowed my eyes on her, she continued quickly, “Sasha would fucking murder me if something happened to you. And Alexei wouldn’t be pleased either.”
A scoff left me. “As if Alexei would let anyone touch you.” I extended my hand further, tapping my foot impatiently. “Besides, I’m Russian. I can hold my liquor.”
The two shared a glance, then finally handed me the star. My steps hesitant, I climbed the ladder, one step at a time, one sister-in-law on each side of me, their hands hovering and ready to catch me.
“There. The star is on.”
“Amazing what a few inches can accomplish,” Aurora grumbled.
“Maybe we’re not done growing,” Bella joked.
I descended the ladder, then turned around to face my sisters-in-law. They were trying so damn hard, and I wasn't making it easy on them.
