Dad hugging me whenever we had to say goodbye.

I’m only twenty-three, and I’ve lost my father, and my mother has no memory of me. I have no other family besides Yuri.

I’m practically alone.

I feel alone.

And lost.

Before the tears come, I pull away from Demitri, but he takes one look at my face then yanks me back to him. It’s all it takes for my walls to crumble to dust at my feet.

Just like my life has.

Chapter 15

ARIANA

The past two days, I’ve mostly been living in the memories I have of my father.

The peacefulness of the island has helped, and Demitri hasn’t pushed anything. Instead, he’s been a silent force, always close by.

It’s as if he knows exactly what I need without me having to say a word.

It’s weird but in a good way.

But today, it’s hard getting out of bed. When the sorrow sweeps through me again, I pull the covers over my head.

I was wrong. In hindsight, I knew this was coming. I knew I’d lose Dad, I just didn’t want to face it.

And now he’s gone.

I need to find out when the funeral will be.

The thought pushes me to throw the covers back. Climbing out of bed, I go through my morning routine and then go look for Demitri.

I find him in the kitchen, where he’s leaning back against the counter, sipping on a cup of coffee.

“Morning,” I say, my voice sounding like I’ve lived a hundred years.

“Morning.” I feel his eyes on me as I pour myself a cup of coffee.

He clears his throat, but before he can say anything, I jump in. “Can you find out when my dad’s funeral will be?”

Slowly, I glance at Demitri, and I see the answer on his face before he says, “It’s tomorrow, but the whole Bratva will be there… as well as the person who wants you dead.”

Lowering my eyes, there’s a weird mixture of anger and grief swirling in my heart. It’s unfair. But I also knew I probably wouldn’t attend Dad’s funeral with me living in the States and him being in Russia. I don’t have the money to travel.

Still, it’s unfair.

Nodding, I take a sip of my coffee.

Demitri reaches for me, and taking hold of my chin, he forces me to look at him. His eyes search mine, then he asks, “How are you holding up?”

I just shrug because it’s not like things are going to get any better. “I’m okay,” I lie. I finish my coffee and rinse the cup out. Wanting to go for my morning walk, I head toward the sliding door, but as I pass the stairs, movement from the second floor catches my eye.

I glance up, and then my feet come to a sudden stop. My mouth dries instantly, and my heart stutters before it begins to beat like crazy.

A man, who I assume is Alexei, slowly comes down the stairs, his movements casual. He has white-blond hair like me and black eyes. Same build as Demitri… but… the danger coming off him in waves hits me so hard, I freeze like a deer before a freight train.