Page 129 of Midnight Wedding

Arsen

Six Months Later

I slot the pry bar under the floorboard and yank. The fucker cracks and nearly breaks, but it comes off and clatters away. Sweat dribbles down my back and I toss the wood into the scrap pile before moving to the next.

The radio plays classic rock and a bottle of beer sweats on top of the cooler. It’s a little past noon and Lena’s off trying to put Roman down for his nap. I rip up another piece of flooring, toss it aside, and pause to take a drink.

I remember getting whipped with a belt in the corner of this room. I was twelve years old. I still have the scars from it.

But lately, the memories don’t bother me very much.

They’re still painful. I don’tenjoythinking about my abuse. But it doesn’t define me anymore. The darkness is still there—but now that darkness ismine. I own it and control it. The bad old days fade like paint left in the sun.

“Making good progress.” I look over as Sona steps into the room. She frowns, moving gingerly. “Might’ve been nice if you kept some flooring though.”

“Didn’t realize I’d have guests.”

She stares at me, arms crossed over her chest. I think she’s annoyed for a second. Thiswasher house once, even if it’s mine now. Then her face softens and she smiles. I walk over and give her a quick peck on the cheek.

“Want a beer?”

“No, that’s okay. Unlike you, I still have work.” She leans against the wall and surveys the destroyed room. “I like it better this way.”

“Yeah? Should I leave it? Wouldn’t mind getting a break.”

“Aram would’ve lost his mind knowing you ripped his office to shreds.”

“Good.” I kick the pile of scrap floorboards. “It’s just a bunch of wood.”

“Just wood,” she agrees and brushes her fingers along the doorway’s molding. “Anyway, listen, word came down from the Russians. The deal’s been greenlit. Apparently, your half-brother is interested in becoming closer friends.”

“That’s great news.”

“Six months ago, I would’ve predicted that the Brotherhood would revolt if we did business with the Russians.”

“And now what do you say?”

She walks over to the cooler and lifts up my beer. “Hail to thepatron.” She toasts me and takes a sip then wrinkles her nose. “God, light beer? What’s wrong with you, boy?”

“Didn’t have a mother figure to teach me how to act right.” I grin at her, and for a second, I think I’ve crossed a line.

But she laughs and puts the beer back down. “It’s your family now,” she remarks, heading back to the door. “It took work, but nobody disputes your control.”

“I had some competent help.”

“Yes, well, that brother of yours has been a vicious little killer, hasn’t he?”

My smile fades as I look toward the windows. “Didn’t know Tigran had it in him.”

“Don’t look so concerned. This is a cause for celebration. We’re going to get rich and the Brotherhood’s going to get stronger. All your decisions and sacrifices have paid off. Tigran’s bloody work is done.”

“You’re right.” I nod at her, even if her comment about Tigran is still bothering me. That’s a problem I can deal with in the future. “By the way, did you stop in and see Lena?”

“You think I’d miss the chance to hold your baby? Cutest kid in the world.”

And your grandchild. But that’s still unspoken. I don’t know if we’ll ever acknowledge it. That’s a wound that’ll never fully heal. Though maybe it’ll scar just enough to keep going. My relationship with my biological mother has been getting better every day.

I’m optimistic. Sona’s right—the family finally fell in line behind me. There was some struggle, but something changed around the time Roman was born. It’s like a new baby breathed some life into this place.

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