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“We followed the money of that real estate company Turner bought for way under its market value. The broker for that deal works for a company that’s associated with, guess who.”
“Petrov? Really?”
“Not just that. The scholarships to the private school and special donor fellowships for a full ride at University of Florida, they all eventually lead to the charity arm of Petrov Shipping.”
I think about Ana’s father taking the proverbial punches from an angry son who accused him of heartless abandonment. He never hinted at this level of involvement in Nathaniel’s life.
“Wonder why he never took credit for it,” I mumble.
“It was just money to this guy. Don’t forget he left a young, pregnant woman to raise his kid alone. He wasn’t the father he should have been.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agree with my uncle who has, himself, been like a father to me for the last decade since I left Columbus. My dad is my dad, but having these men as models and mentors in my life makes the biggest difference.
I have a deeper understanding of why Ana is insisting on this peacemaking scheme between her brothers and their father. Nathaniel is Nikolay’s son and their half brother, relationships linked by blood yet severed by choice and circumstance. By enabling him the opportunity to reconcile with Nikolay and to meet Sergei, she’s ensuring Nathaniel sees all of them as people, not objects of his fixation.
Nathaniel was mired in the constant uncertainty of “what if’s” and driven by the need to avenge the mother he recently lost. There isn’t a prison in the world worse than the paradox of a vague but overwhelming fixation. Her kidnapper’s actions were monstrous, but he’s just a man.
This meeting will, hopefully, free them all from the mistakes of the past.
How has it only been a day since I got abducted by my half brother, reunited with Father, and witnessed firsthand Bryce’s far reach and unspeakable power? Money like my father’s is one thing, but the technology and resources at Bryce’s fingertips feel like a different kind of currency.
He saw everything while I was held in Nathaniel’s hotel suite. His team extracted me with military efficiency. And then Bryce’s AI technology made it all go away. Poof. There’s no evidence of me entering and exiting the building and therefore no trail of Bryce’s rescue.
When we evacuated the safehouse, Bryce left part of his team to remove any trace of our presence. A small army and a messed-up Petrov meeting covered up with one word. Again, poof. It boggles the mind, the implications of his connection to national security agencies.
We’re currently in Father’s private plane to transport us to Columbus. I’ve never been in this space with so many people.
Father and his doctor are in the back bedroom, where he’s resting. The medical equipment confirms my fears of his declining health. He wasn’t ready to talk about the details today, but I’ll get to the bottom of things soon. Avoidance never got us anywhere, so whatever this is, we’ll face it head-on.
Nathaniel is on a seat along the length of the plane, with two guards by his side and another four at the table in front of the sofa.
Bryce and I are at the front, a half partition providing a little privacy and reprieve.
“At least you’ve told Sergei over the phone. That’s more preparation than you had,” he says to comfort me, a large hand engulfing my icy fingers.
“He didn’t believe me at first. We joked that you’d run a paternity test soon enough.”
Bryce’s lips twitch slightly.
“Did you?”
“If you need proof, I have it. But that’s not what will fix this problem, is it?”
He’s right. “Not sure what they’ll get out of meeting today.”
“What do you expect to get out of it?”
The question has been haunting me, even before he asked it aloud.
“Here’s what I don’t need to get out of it. Nothing about this defines me as a person or determines how I feel about my family. Father must face his mistakes. Whatever these men need in order to find peace in themselves and between each other, I’ll help as much as possible. But nothing changes the fact that you’re my family. You and Sergei and the MacElroys who have taught me what it is to be there for each other.”
His hand reaches over to cradle my cheek, turning me to face him. “You’re my family too, Ana. And my world.”
We kiss gently and it feels like a peaceful moment prior to an upcoming storm.
Nonetheless, I’m restless. There are people, projects, and problems that demand my attention. And—
“Ana,” Bryce says with a nip at my ear. “I can practically see the wheels in your head spinning out. Your job and responsibilities will still be there tomorrow. In the meantime, breathe. Let your assistants do their job. Martin updated you on the status of the factory. Everything is under control, considering the circumstances.” He says exactly what I need to hear.
