Page 45 of Vendetta Vows

"What is this place?" she whispers, unable to contain her awe.

"The Dragunov estate," I tell Aurora, forcing warmth into my voice despite the ice in my veins. "Where I grew up."

I step out of the car, my shoes scattering the hated gravel from under me, as I walk over to Aurora's side and open her door.

I extend my hand to help her out. Her fingers tremble slightly as they slip into mine.

The massive oak doors creak open. Daria, the head housekeeper, emerges. Her silver hair is neatly pinned back as always. The sight of her brings an unexpected wave of comfort in spite of my own hesitation to be back here after nineteen long years.

Some things never change, even when the world burns around you.

"Ruslan Vitalyevich, good afternoon." She greets me warmly in Russian.

Her eyes drift curiously to Aurora's blood-spattered clothes, and then back to my face without so much as a blink. Her expression remains perfectly neutral and she keeps her questions locked behind pressed lips.

She's worked in my family's employ for long enough to know that you don't ask questions about these kinds of things.

"Daria Zakharovna," I reply, squeezing Aurora's hand reassuringly. "This is my guest Aurora Castellanos. She'll be staying with us for a while."

Aurora shifts closer to me, and I catch the faint scent of the coconut in her hair. The urge to pull her against me, to shield her from questioning gazes, even from Daria, surges through my body.

But I resist.

"Please show Aurora to one of the more comfortable guest rooms," I tell Daria. "Bring her a fresh change of clothing, and have the kitchen prepare something for her to eat."

Daria nods, her expression revealing nothing. "Of course, Ruslan Vitalyevich. Anything else?"

"Have you heard anything about the girls?" I switch to Russian.

"Yes, Tamara Denisovna has informed me that they are safe at home with her."

I clench my jaw at Daria's words. Of course Tamara chose to defy me.

But outwardly, I nod, choosing to focus on the fact that my nieces are safe for now.

"Welcome home, Ruslan Vitalyevich." Daria dips her head. "These walls have missed your presence."

Home,I think with disdain as I stare at the familiar visage of the hated mansion that I swore I'd never return to. The weight of nineteen years of absence presses down on my shoulders like a coffin lid.

"Thank you, Daria," I switch back to English. "Please, show Ms. Castellanos to her room. I'll come find her shortly."

"Of course, Ruslan Vitalyevich," Daria says softly, before she leads Aurora away.

I dial Artyom as I watch Aurora disappear into the house with Daria.

He answers on the second ring.

"I need a cleanup crew at Aurora's apartment. Now. Before neighbors start asking questions."

"What happened?"

"Some piece of shit tried to kill her. I got there first." I pause, crushing the urge to elaborate. "The body's still warm. Definitely related to my brother and nephew's death."

Artyom doesn't miss a beat. "Anything else?"

I run through a mental checklist, hating how natural all of this feels.

"I need it done quickly. Tell me when you have an identity on who this fucker might be, or who his boss was."

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