When I reached the edge of the property, I noticed I had a tail.
“Shoo, Babushka.” I waved at the cat.
She continued to stand behind me. When I took a few steps forward, she also took a few steps forwards.
And even when I stepped off the estate, Babushka continued to follow me. It wasn’t until I reached the bus stop that I tried to scare her off.
Babushka watched my efforts with irritation.
“I’m going away, Babushka,” I tried to plead, my reality settling in. “You can’t come with me. No one can.”
She continued to stay with me.
“I’m serious, Babushka. Shoo!”
If Babushka had eyebrows, she would’ve risen them. Instead she continued to lick her paw and watch me with faint disinterest, like she was annoyed the bus was running late.
When the bus formed in the distance, I kneeled. Babushka pushed herself against me, purring happily.
I wrapped my arms around her and she offered no resistance. The fat tabby went happily into my arms, resting her head against my chest and vibrating.
I buried my face into her fur and let a tear slide out.
But now was not the time to cry.
When the bus driver asked how many tickets, I almost said three.
One for me, one for Babushka...and one for the baby.
32
Konstantin Tarkhanov
I stood in the darkness, watching her figure become smaller and smaller as she left the property.
“Boss?” Olezka had summoned my calls.
“I want your best men on her detail,” I said.
“Yes, sir.”
When my torpedo left, I was by myself again but not alone. The beast living inside of me was more than enough company.
Tatiana was Titus. Anton had indirectly killed his sister. Dmitri was broken with grief.
My family had been split down the middle, the love and loyalty that bounded us being tested under suspicion and anguish.
And now Elena had left me.
The woman I had been in love with since I had read her paper on botany had seen what I had to offer and declined. She had left her family, left the people who had grown to love her.
She left me.
Deep in my soul, a decision had been made. My empire had been threatened, my family had been broken. The woman I loved had broken my heart.
Someone would suffer for these crimes. Everybody would suffer for these crimes.
I stepped away from the window, smiling faintly.
I had come to the States to be a king of New York and that was what I intended to do.
No matter what the personal cost.
Let the mask fall, let my inner beast take control. I was Konstantin Tarkhanov, son of the Tarkhanov Empire and Pakhan of Staten Island. My reign would be long, unforgettable, glorious.
And bloody.
Epilogue
Elena Falcone
3 years later…
My boss peered over my shoulder. “Good work, Elena.”
I nodded in thanks, itching to have him leave. Dr Melrose wasn’t the worst boss in the world; he was just nosey. He liked to know everything that was happening in the pharmacy, from the customers to the staff. Sadly, I fell into the staff category, so I couldn’t tell him to fuck off without risking my job.
“I see you applied to leave early today,” he noted.
It had already been approved. Dr Vielle wasn’t nearly as nosey as her colleague and didn’t care what we did as long as we didn’t cause her any trouble.
“I am.”
Dr Melrose leaned against the counter. “Any trouble at home?”
“No. Just have an appointment.” I gestured to where he was leaning. “Excuse me.” He moved long enough for me to grab a handful of flyers.
Dr Melrose opened his mouth again, but I yelled, “Hart!”
A second later, an old frail woman came bustling to the counter. She smiled in greeting, gesturing to the medications like she was trying to prove she was their right owner.
I passed her prescriptions, telling her about our sales and wishing her a good day.
The pharmacy wasn’t busy today—one reason why Dr Vielle had given me permission to leave early, but it also meant I didn’t have an easy getaway from Dr Melrose. It would take at least thirty minutes of intrusive questions before he grew bored and moved onto the next unsuspecting person.
“If there are problems at home, my wife and I are always happy to help…”
I’m sure you are, I wanted to hiss, but kept my retort behind my teeth.
Dr Melrose didn’t take the hint. “It must be hard doing it all on your own. My wife and I have plenty of time…”
“I’m fine,” I said shortly, my irritation getting the better of me. A glance at the clock