How many people are going to curse me out in other languages today? So far, we have two.
After he finally finished, he whispered, “I am sorry. It is not fair to you. This is all your father’s doings. But you could have warned me about the prisoners and the little girl.”
“Little person.”
“And is that her mother?”
“No. It is her hand maiden. Father found Yula delightful. He liked to dress her up in satin dresses and give her tons of dolls.”
“Well, Yula has taken all of the dolls’ heads off. And let me tell you, that has not brightened the room at all.”
“Yula will have to leave. I am bringing Ava and her grandmother with me.” I shook my head. “Do you think the castle will be cleaned up by then? I can send as many men as you need.”
“Oh this place will be empty of these crazy people by the end of the day. Already, I have burned up the animal masks. I sent half of his followers packing. My men gave them a little money, but I couldn’t sleep in this castle another night with all of these looney tunes in here. Now that I know the little girl is a midget, she will be out on her ass too. Enough with her cherry pie!”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Thank you, batya.”
“Oh, you will do more than thank me. You owe me a trip.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course.”
His voice brightened. “Where will you go with me?”
I shook my head. “Anywhere you want.”
“For a whole month.”
“Batya, that is too long.”
“I deserve it!”
“Okay. Whatever you want, batya.”
“Get here soon, Mikhail. Get here, before this castle drives me crazy.”
“I will.”
“Also, Igor’s lawyers want to read the will. All of his mistress are waiting around to see what they are getting. Do you know how difficult it has been to keep six women from clawing each other’s eyes out? This is why I am single.”
I shrugged. “Let the lawyers read the will, so the mistresses can get out of there. I do not want any of those mistresses at father’s funeral, only immediate family.”
Rolan exhaled on the other side. “I will let you know your father’s last words.”
“Okay.” I didn’t care. If my father wasn’t here anymore, what were words on a page? An ache hit my chest. I decided I didn’t want to talk about the will or any of this anymore.
“Goodbye, batya.”
“Goodbye, Mikhail.”
We hung up.
The limo barely moved a few feet.
The protestors didn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. All of them waved around signs that read “Smirnov, help us!”
Smirnov will do nothing.
I ran my fingers through my hair.
How can I help them?
This was the worst thing that could’ve happened today. I loved my country, but that wasn’t the reason why a headache came. If the protestors didn’t let up, then President Smirnov would definitely want the brotherhood to step in. Usually he called father and persuaded him to get in touch with Kazimir.
I checked my phone.
Sure enough the Kremlin’s number had been one of the missed calls.
Smirnov and Kazimir would have to learn how to talk to each other now. They were both grown men with big egos, but they would have to be adults.
I’m not my father. I won’t be a referee to either of you.
Through the window, I looked up at the sky.
Why did you have to die so soon, father?
It wasn’t his time. I hadn’t. . .truly figured out how to love him. How to talk to him. How to get through to him.
And all this time, I thought we had more years together to figure it out. That one day he would look at me, open his arms, and treat me like his son. That he would be the father that I always dreamt of.
Thank God, I have Rolan. He has been more of a father than you ever were.
With the protestors everywhere, it took almost an hour to get to the Belmont. At our arrival, I spotted a pink and gold Maserati next to several gray vans.
Awesome. How did Valentina find Maxwell?
Chapter 17
Misha
I should’ve known that Valentina would have people following Maxwell and me. As long as she didn’t bother Ava’s grandmother and stayed out of the way, then I would give her no problems for today.
The limo stopped in front of the Belmont hotel.
I didn’t wait for the driver to open the door and got out myself. With Valentina, one had to act fast and swift, before she killed someone.
Marching forward, I opened the buttons on my suit jacket and told the guards. “Take your guns out, just in case.”
They obeyed.
It wasn’t the best way to walk into the Belmont, but one never knew when Valentina’s evil little head would pop out. She’d killed Olesya and stuffed a children’s book up her ass, it wasn’t wise to second guess the little demon.