تسجيل الدخول“I couldn’t remember anything until now.,” Pepper explained. “My brain closed down after I was found.”“How long did this go on?” Raven asked with tears running down her cheeks.Yuri noticed them and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him.Pepper shrugged. “I don’t remember. I try not to think about that time in my life.”Mikial pulled her up to her feet then backed up and sat down in a chair. He pulled Pepper into his lap and just held her. She laid her head on his wide chest.Mikial’s hand came up and pressed her closer to him. He kissed the top of her head and just held her for a moment. “You are safe now,” he promised.Pepper wanted to believe him as she replied, “But you can’t promise me that.”“We’re working on finding him,” Yuri assured her. “We know who this shooter is and we will find him.”Pepper nodded then turned her head and stared at the photos of the people involved. From her angle, she noticed something odd. That was when it finally hit her. “Oh, my god
Pepper shut her eyes as the memories hit her. She was supposed to be in her room but she had sneaked out and hid behind the sofa, hoping to catch sight of who her mother was talking to. Usually, when he or anyone came around, her mother would ask her to stay in her room. Her mother had told her that day was going to be a new start for both of them. Today was supposed to be a special day. Her mother had wonderful news to share.Rocking back and forth, she was hyperventilating as she began to remember everything. Her arms tightened around her waist as memory after memory assaulted her senses. She peered up at Mikial.“What are you remembering?” he whispered.“He was there the day my mom got hurt.”“Who? Who was there?” Raven asked.“I don’t know his name, I never knew his n-name,” she whispered brokenly. She rocked back and forth. “Mom never told me who he was but I remember waking up at night hearing their voices. Most of the time they were hushed voices but once in a while, they soun
Mikial nodded and led Pepper out of the room. They crossed the hall and entered the other apartment on that floor. This was where Nikoli stayed when he was in town and where Misha and Sergi had stayed a few weeks ago when they came to see Raven and Nicky.The apartment had the same layout as Yuri’s. Living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, an office, two bathrooms and a study.Mikial leaned down and picked her up into his arms. Then he walked down the hall and entered one of the bedrooms.Laying her on the bed he was getting up when she pulled him back down on top of her. “Please don’t leave. Stay with me.”“Sweetheart, I will be right here. But for now, I think you need to sleep.”
Pepper didn’t find any clues between her painting and the photographs. After a while, it drove her nuts so she went to get another cup of coffee.From a distance, she glanced back at the painting and the photos, still looking for a common link. She didn’t know why but she had a feeling there was something here everyone, including her, was missing. She felt a knot in her shoulder and raised her hands to the area.Her fingers couldn’t quite reach so Mikial stepped up and began rubbing her neck.Pepper moaned. “God, that feels good. I’ll give you a week to finish.”Mikial chuckled and leaned closer. “As much as I like these groans I think I prefer the other ones you make. The ones you make when I’m deep inside you,” he whispered in her ear.“Me too,” Pepper whispered back. “I love the feel of you inside me.”Taking a step away he said, “Don’t tempt me sweetheart. It wouldn’t take much to drag you down the hall.”“Now you’re teasing me.” Pepper reached for him. Mikial took another step a
“Who is putting money into the trust?” Pepper asked. “There should be no activity at all. Not withdrawals or deposits.”“That would depend on if your mother’s paintings are still being sold somewhere,” Yuri said.Raven made a call, “Nicky, we need to know if there is any paperwork regarding a new attorney for Jessie Carter. Someone has been taking Cullen’s place all this time.”“I know,” Nicky replied. “I just uncovered some video from the bank. I’m sending it to Yuri. I don’t know who he is yet, but I’ll find out and let you know.”Raven glanced over at Yuri. “Nicky is sending you some video. It shows someone who’s been using the trust.”Yuri checked his phone and swore. He watched the video for a moment then turned it so everyone could see it. It plainly showed a man walking to the counter and cashing a check. It wasn’t until he turned around that they could see his face. When they recognized him…everyone swore.“Who is this guy?” Pepper asked as she listened to the grumbles from e
“It has to be about something more than just to hurt you,” Yuri told Pepper then he turned to observe Raven.She looked pale and shaken. When Raven saw Yuri staring at her she turned and ran for the bathroom.He followed her and went in.Raven crouched beside the toilet after emptying her stomach. She heard the door open and was hoping it was Pepper. But when he knelt beside her, she knew it was Yuri.“How long has this been going on?” he asked as he handed her a wet washcloth.“Not long,” she murmured as she tried to move away from him.“Please don’t,” he whispered. “Don’t turn away from me.”
Nikoli stared at Raven. “You have watched over my son like no one else could,” he stated with reverence in his voice. “You have protected him against the world and for that, I will always be grateful. You may not actually be siblings, but you have
Raven went on with the terrible story, “Your real mother died giving birth to you. Andria stole you when you were hours old. Your father has been looking for you this whole time.”Nicky went back to the sofa
Yuri followed her and gasped her shoulders to turn her around to face him. “Why can’t you tell me?”“Because I don’t want to, ok?” she shouted. “I really need to talk to him bef
“The questions we are asking are for a purpose,” Nikoli told Raven. “A long time ago, an evil woman betrayed me in the worst way humanly possible. She took the life of the woman I loved and then she stole my son. My people have been searching unde







