Page 93 of Damaged Princess

The next day we head to the funeral. It's after the service and we're standing in a cluster much like many other groups. The room is filled with dangerous men. But I don't worry at all because I've got my guys at my side.

"Anastasia," Ivanov says, approaching with an entourage of muscle at his back. "It's been many years, but I would recognize you anywhere. You've always been the spitting image of your mother."

He's right. It has been years. I've blamed him for my mother's death for so long that it's difficult to separate the hate. I get that my father murdered her to hide his defection to Barrett, but I'm never going to be Ivanov's biggest fan.

He pulls me in for an awkward hug. Vik growls like a murdery lion.

Ivanov laughs it off. He looks at Vik. "Balls of steel, just like your blood." He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls us several feet away. "Speaking of Soren, have you seen the mercs? I know you had something to do with how they ended up all tangled up with my favorite enforcer."

Vik's jaw is tight as he eyes every place Ivanov touches me. I'm pretty sure he's planning to chop off every body part that has met my skin.

"Steele and Merrick are still recovering," Vik growls. "Come here, princess."

"It was nice to see you," I say, giving Ivanov a squeeze. I have no idea, but I think it's a bad plan to be rude to this guy. He makes my father seem like small potatoes.

I head to Vik as Wolfe and Rafe frame his sides.

"We've paid our respects," Vik growls, holding me close. "We'll be leaving now."

"So much anger," Ivanov says, waving off his guards who start to close in. "You know it really is a blessing that he's dead." Ivanov chuckles. It sends a shiver down my spine. It's a cold, dead sound. "No one seeks the dead. They find a peace they might not otherwise have known in life." His hands steeple in front of him and he grins. "I've always been a sucker for love. Perhaps that's why I tried to look after you all these years." He looks at me and I frown. I have no idea what the hell that's supposed to mean.

"You looked out for me?" I scoff.

"Your mother sadly didn't feel for me as I felt for her. She didn't trust that I'd burn down the world to keep her, and yes, even you safe." He pauses dramatically. "Your father received my message loud and clear. Do you truly believe that he never would have tried again? I protected you more than you know." Ivanov directs it all to me. To Vik he says, "Did you not question why such a betrayal was allowed to go unpunished?"

"Why didn't you kill him yourself?" Vik asks. "If you're insinuating you had some relationship with Anastasia's mother, then why didn't you kill Markov Androff when he killed his wife?"

My mind is still stuck on Ivanov's words.No one seeks the dead. They find a peace they might not otherwise have known in life…I barely hold back the gasp as my eyes widen.

"Much like I offered Keeley's mother, I also gave your mother the opportunity to trust that I would look after her. Unfortunately, your mother didn't believe me. There's more than you know at play, more pieces in constant motion that you could ever fathom," Ivanov says, shaking his head and clearing his throat.

"Keeley is your daughter?" I hiss. There's no holding back the words. They're out before I can stop them. God, the revelations just keep coming.

"Clever girl," Ivanov says, stepping forward and pinching my chin.

"You let your own flesh and blood be traded to Androff?" Vik growls.

"I owe you no answers." Ivanov releases me. He leans in close and whispers something to Vik that I don't catch.

Vik goes instantly rigid. "That's good to know," he says in a clipped tone. "We're done here."

"What the hell did he say to you?" Wolfe asks on our way to the car.

Vik shakes his head and doesn't say a word until we're all in the rental car.

"He said that when I see Soren I'm to tell him he's welcome. His life is Ivanov's gift and Soren's guarantee that he'll use it in protection of his daughter at all costs."

I figured that out when Ivanov was talking. But I still can't believe Keeley is Ivanov's daughter. And he knew my mother in some intimate way? My mind is blown.

Vik starts the car and glances around. "I'm going to knock that motherfucker out if I do see him."

"Damn," Rafe says, pulling me into his side. "I couldn't seem to believe it was so easy for them to kill him."

"Do you think Merrick and Steele know?" Wolfe asks. "You know they were half gone for Keeley when we saw them."

"No fucking clue," Vik grumbles.

"We know for a fact those two are in bad shape," Rafe adds. "We saw the medical reports."

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