“And Mom didn’t want that.” It’s not a question; it’s a statement.

That’s why we were on the run for twelve years. The forged identities and the late-night escapes make sense now.

Mom didn’t want me to be the Russian mafia’s princess. She must’ve lived that role her entire life and couldn’t accept having her daughter go through that fate.

Her diligence and quick wit make sense, too. She knew their ways well enough to be able to escape them for twelve whole years.

“She didn’t, and Nikolai wasn’t happy.” Alex sighs. “After she disappeared without a trace, he began to pester Gareth about taking the other twin, which, of course, he refused. However, Nikolai’s intentions must’ve reached Mia because she kidnapped her other daughter from school. She planned to take you both out of the country and away from her father’s organization.”

“But they found us first.” My eyes well with tears and a hand presses on my thigh.

Asher.

I’d forgotten he was here. My lips pull in a small smile as I take in his silent support.

I didn’t know I needed him beside me until now.

Alex clears his throat, and I focus back on him. “Yes. I assume it was easier for her to run with one, but the two of you slowed her down.”

“Why would…” I suck in a breath. “Why would my grandfather order his only daughter killed?”

“That’s the problem—he didn’t. Nikolai would’ve never hurt Mia no matter how much he threatened to. She must’ve resisted, and her death was an accident—or at least that’s what I thought.”

I shift to the edge of the couch. “What do you mean?”

“After the Russians took your sister and you returned to live with Gareth, he didn’t stop looking into ways to save her. He even had a few spies on the inside. From what we learned, Ivan, Nikolai’s nephew and Mia’s cousin, didn’t like the fact that the Pakhan was handing his business to a girl. Well, and her future husband, but that’s beside the point. Since Mia ran away, he’s been plotting to take Nikolai down, eradicate all his descendants, and take over.”

“You…you think he killed Mom on purpose?”

“I’m almost sure he did. She was in his way and he needed her gone, so he disguised it as if she killed herself.” His eyes soften. “I’m sorry.”

I swallow back the tears, my chest splintering into pieces at the revelation. All Mom ever wanted was to save us from the monstrous life she lived, and she had to pay the price with her life.

“Then why didn’t he kill her daughter, too?” I ask.

“I assume because one of Nikolai’s most trusted men grabbed her first. As soon as she was with her grandfather, even Ivan wouldn’t have been able to hurt her.”

“So Reina is safe with Nikolai?” I whisper.

Alex pauses mid-press of his retractable pen. “I see, so you remember that, too.”

“You knew?” Asher’s snarl causes my limbs to shake more.

“Of course I do.” Alex goes back to clicking his pen. “Gareth was my partner. We shared everything.”

“So Dad knew, too.” My murmur is pained, barely audible.

I figured he’d realize Reina and I switched places, but deep down, I hoped I’d be able to fly under the radar. My hand finds Asher’s on my thigh and I grip it tight like it’s a safety line. I don’t dare look at him, silently hoping for his support. He threads his fingers through mine, and my lower lip trembles at the gesture.

“Yes,” Alex says. “He was happy to get you back.”

My head jerks up. “He…was?”

“Of course. He lived in guilt for letting you and your mother go all those years ago. He searched for you as diligently as Nikolai, but your mom was a professional at running.”

I smile a little before it falls off. “But he lost Reina.”

“Not really.” Alex leans forward in his chair. “Nikolai let him see her now and again when they gathered for business. Gareth also made sure she was living well, and she was. She loved Nikolai and he treated her well, like his princess.”

Oh.

I didn’t know that.

“Why didn’t I get to meet her?” I ask.

“Nikolai’s condition was that if you two got together again, it’d only be under the bratva’s rules. Meaning, you could only reunite with her if Gareth gave you up, too. He wasn’t ready for that.”

I tighten my hands around each other. “Then something happened, right?”

“Well, yes.” Alex clicks his pen. “Your father died in an accident, which I still think had Ivan’s hands all over it. That little fucker always hated his guts.”

“So Reina stayed on her own?”

“She had Nikolai and an insider Gareth put with her. He’s a hitman of some secret organization who kills for the bratva. I’ve been in contact with him since Gareth’s death.” Alex pauses, as if trying to lessen the blow of what he’s about to say next. “Nikolai got sick and died. I knew Ivan would try to kill Reina—Rai—as soon as he could to secure his position. I tried to have the insider get her out, but she wouldn’t agree. I didn’t know she was planning on meeting you or that you were still searching for her.” Alex straightens, becoming tenfold bigger. “What happened that night, Reina?”

“We met…” I trail off. “I think I planned to escape with her.”

Asher’s hand tightens on my thigh and I wince as I keep my head down. He was right all along; I did plan to escape.

But it was bigger than Blackwood and any reason I had to hate him.

Or maybe it has everything to do with him after all.

“She said something about having business to finish and that she’d find me…I think.”

How do I even remember that?

Alex gives a sharp nod. “She has Nikolai’s ledger, which holds all the names, numbers, and dirt on the people he did business with. He announced before his death that the owner of that ledger is his sole heir. Ivan can’t get the others’ blessing to be Pakhan without that book. That’s why he’s hunting her down.”

“So she’s alive?” I nearly choke on my own breath.

“I believe so, yes.” He rubs his chin. “I got a text from my guy that she was safe a day after your attack.”

“Nothing after?”

“Unfortunately, no. But this guy wouldn’t make any contact if he thought it would put Rai in danger. Besides, Ivan is flipping the city upside down to find her, so she must be on the run. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got out of the country.”

A breath leaves me, but it’s not complete relief. Reina is still in danger. If this Ivan finds her, he’ll take that ledger and skin her alive.

They torture people in the mafia.

They kill them in cold blood like they did to Mom.

“I’m hiring that security for you, Reina.” Alex’s tone becomes non-negotiable. “If Ivan thinks using you against Rai will bring her forward, he won’t hesitate to beat you like the other time. Just because they’re quiet doesn’t mean they forgot.”

“I agree,” Asher says.