AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“For fuck’s sake, James!” My growl resonates through the car. “Don’t speak about my wife like that.”
“Do you think I like speaking about my cousin like that?” His eyes are just as stormy as mine. “You don’t know how many times I wanted to tell Isabella everything when we were growing up.”
“I can imagine.”
“Do you think creating the perfect legacy is what they mean when they say Isabella’s the key?” James glances at me curiously.
“I was wondering the same thing.” My eyes narrow on the road ahead. “I just feel like…”
“We’re missing a huge chunk of the puzzle?” James concludes.
“Exactly.” I nod. “I think creating the perfect legacy is part of being the key, but there’s something else.” I glance pointedly at the journal. “Carry on reading.”
“Let’s stop first, I need a piss and to take a break from reading in the car.”
“We need gas.” It is as if, on a cue, a sign to a rest stop appears. “Five miles.”
Twenty minutes later, after filling up with gas and going to the bathroom, we’re sitting in the diner, having ordered lunch and coffee. I pick up the journal James had put on the table between us and leaf through it, scrolling more to the back of the book.
I’ve written Genevra and my brother notes in case we don’t make it to Russia, where Roman awaits us. I hate to have dragged my sister-in-law and her husband into this, but they insisted. They, too, didn’t want to be here. Living in the world we live in is hard enough, but when you know what I do, it becomes even more of a pressure cooker.
I have what we need to clear over eleven years of hate and heal wounds. But that means revealing the monster who orchestrated everything for their own gain. One that has no problems using whoever they can to achieve their goal. A monster who knows their secrets are about to be revealed and will do anything to stop that from happening.
All we have to do is make it to Russia, and Roman will help with everything else, ensuring all my loved ones are safe. It may even heal his heart, too. But in case I don’t get to write another entry in my journal ever again, I have a contingency plan to ensure the safety of my children, my family, and my friends.
If the monster catches us before we reach Russia, the truth will lie in wait to be told until Isabella is twenty-one, married, with a child on the way—a valuable child. I know what I made Marco do seems archaic and unethical, but I know that Ivan’s son will be the best choice for her.
Not even the monster of all monsters will dare harm her with the promise of that alliance. By the time Isabella’s first child is born, the truth will be out, and hopefully, the monster and their little helper will finally fall.
As for my beautiful boy, Konstantin, I fear for him the most should anything happen to me. But I have a promise I’m holding in my heart that Marco and Genevra will ensure he’s safe no matter what because he deserves the legacy that was stolen from him.
My eyes are wide with astonishment when I’m finished reading. “Fuck me, it wasn’t Marco and my father that betrothed Isabella and me.”
“Shit.” James’s expression mirrors mine. “It was Isabella’s mother’s.”
“This must’ve happened in the same year,” I point out. “Isabella was three when her mother died and three when we were betrothed.”
“Whoever’s behind the hacking and painted lady containers must be the monster that knows they are about to be exposed.” James voices my thoughts.
“We can rule out Marco and my father, as they’re basically being held hostage by the hackers.” My eyes widen. “Oh, fuck, they really are being held hostage.”
“Or dead!” James adds. “Have you heard from your mother?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Let’s get our food to go. You drive. I’ll make some calls.”
The weight of the revelation hangs in the air as we scramble to piece together the chilling puzzle. The past and present are colliding, and the urgency to uncover the truth and protect our loved ones intensifies with each passing moment.
“Do you think the part about Marco and Genevra protecting Konstantin is a bit odd?” James turns to me after we’ve been traveling for a few minutes.
“I was thinking the same thing.” Picking up my phone, I dial my mother. “Let’s find out if my mother knows anything.”
“Andrey!” My mother answers after the first three rings. “Thank God. Where are you?”
“On our way back to Boston.” I frown. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s your father.” My mother sounds distraught. “He’s been badly beaten and is in the ICU.” I glance at James and he looks at me curiously.
“And Marco?”
