登入Talli knew her father always told her to remain independent and not to answer to anyone but herself. Now, she had no choice in the matter and she didn’t like it, didn’t like it at all.So for now, she would play the game their way. She also had a feeling she knew what Russell was really after and if it was what she thought, she knew she had to keep that secret hidden from the men in this room. In the back of her mind, she had a feeling that was the reason her father died and if it was, then she would get the revenge she needed, not them but her.After a few minutes, they left and went down through the elevator to the parking area.On the way to the shop, Talli asked, “Can we stop by my mother’s house? I want to collect her ashes.”Barshan nodded but didn’t say anything. A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of her mother’s house.Talli made no move toward the door for a long moment, then she reached for the door handle and pushed it open. With Barshan following, she let herself
Talli shrugged. “He didn’t tell me his name but the man returned just before my father died. I came back to the store from lunch one day and they were in the office yelling again. I couldn’t tell what they were saying but it was loud and not good. Days later my father was dead.”Reaching for a stack of papers in front of him, Yuri searched for something then looking at her he asked, “Do the names George Windguard or Dexter Pavel mean anything to you?”Talli sat back in her chair and all the color drained from her face. “I know the name Dexter Pavel. Why? Who are they?”“They are aliases Russell Jerome has used in the past,” Yuri informed her.Talli raked her fingers through her hair. “One of those names might not be an alias.” She paused and stared at them all. “You might know one of them too.”Demi glanced at Yuri then turned to Talli and asked, “Which one?”“Dexter Pavel.”“Who is he?” Yuri asked.“He claims to be a distant cousin to Rizvan Dreususs,” Talli informed them. “I don’t t
“Maybe we can help you get the answers you need,” Barshan suggested.“Perhaps.” Talli ssemed to hesitated then asked him, “Did you see the ashes scattered on her clothing in the bedroom?” she sobbed briefly. “He couldn’t even give me that much of her.”“What are you saying?” Barshan frowned.“After he destroyed everything she was, he threw her ashes all over the mess he made.” She raised her hand to her eyes and wiped away her tears. “He left me with nothing but my memories of her.” Getting to her feet she whispered, “I think I need to be alone right now.” Turning, she went back to the bedroom and closed her door.Barshan stared at the closed door. This woman was different than most he’d known. She was in trouble, yes. But something about her was so graceful, so strong, yet there was a look in those beautiful green eyes that made him just want to hold her and never let her go.Barshan just sat there with his hands curled into fists. As he thought of the wrongs done to her, his rage ha
There were too many unanswered questions left unasked. Talli never knew what actually killed her mother. Her illness came from nowhere and that just wasn’t like her mother, who’d never been sick a day in her life until then. The fact Russell insisted she stay away from her mother at the end of her life still bothered her… and it bothered Talli even now. She wanted to know what he’d been hiding all this time.So far into her own thoughts, she missed the fact that Barshan joined her at the window seat. When he slipped in behind her and wrapped her into his arms, she didn’t pull away from him. Instead, she leaned into his embrace and began weeping softly. The man was a mystery to her. She knew he was with the Russian mob, but he had been so kind to her and tender. She did need him right now. She felt so alone in the world. Her sobs came from something deep inside her that was hurting so bad she couldn’t keep it inside any longer.Barshan held her in his embrace and just let her cry. “Are
Talli lowered her gaze to the floor and wouldn’t look at either man.Yuri glanced over at Barshan then back to Talli. “What makes you think that?”“I knew my mother and the last few weeks she was alive she was hiding something. Something big,” Talli informed them. “She wouldn’t tell me but I knew. She was my mother and I knew her better than she thought I did. She was afraid of him and it was killing me to see her living in that kind of fear and pain.” Talli took a sip of her drink. “Then when she got sick, he wouldn’t even let me see her. She died while I was out of town and he had her cremated before I could get back here to stop it.”“Why would he do that?” Barshan asked.“I think it w
A few minutes later, Ivan and Barshan joined her.Barshan knelt in front of her again and reached for her hand.“It’s all gone,” she whispered. “He’s destroyed everything I ever had.”Ivan checked the closet and asked, “Did he get into your safe?”Talli shook her head. “I don’t think so. It looks like he tried but he couldn’t get inside.”“Maybe you should get whatever is inside and come home with me for the night,” Barshan suggested. “You can’t stay here and at least in my home I can protect you.” Looking around he added, “We can get your sketches and other stuff tomorrow.”
“He’s bringing too much busy work down on all of you,” Raven pointed out. “Think about it, if he was after just Mikial, he would have just done his business. By bringing heat down on all of you, he wanted to show you he could do that to all
Mikial shook his head then announced, “That was very strange.”“What did he have to say?” Yuri asked.“At first, he asked me the same question he’s been asking me for weeks, have I considered his request. When I told him my answer hadn’t changed, he threatened me.”Yuri grimaced and he glanced at t
“Like he’s going to tell us anything,” Barshan said. “So far, he’s only been toying with us. Shooting out the glass to spook us. Cowardly crap.”“I agree.” Sazon nodded. &
Pepper sighed. “It’s bad enough he never wanted me but to do this to her is too much.”Yuri patted her arm. “He won’t get away with it, believe me.”







