Series: Series by Ker Dukey
Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 107407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
“Vol broke your heart,” I remind her. “He married someone else.”
“Isn’t that what passion is? If there wasn’t passion, he wouldn’t have been able to break my heart.” She tugs me forward, and we begin walking again. “Their marriage is over, and he’s moving here.”
Oh great. I’m pretty sure Yuri is laughing up from hell at this point.
“And Brett?” I query.
Sighing, she says, “I love him, but I owe it to myself to get closure before moving forward. Marriage is a big commitment. You should know, you do it every decade.”
She raises a brow. I nod. My madmen wanted me to have their surname like our kids and a ring on my finger, so every ten years I divorce one, and marry the other. The clerk’s office who files that paperwork must be really confused.
“You’re a wise woman.” I stroke down her hair, proud of the amazing woman she’s grown into. We did good with our kids. Dion only just turned twenty, but he’s already immersed in the businesses with his fathers. He’s happy and content.
“I take after you.” She nudges me and a smile spreads across my face.
Roza approaches the restaurant door. Just as she reaches for the handle, the door suddenly swings open, and she stumbles forward, her balance wavering, and in an instant, unseen hands catch her, steadying her before she can fall. A chilling sensation washes over me like ice pouring down my spine, when the man holding onto her comes into view. He’s aged but I’d remember those damn eyes anywhere.
“Well, what are the odds? I remember you. It’s Roza, right?” he says, with more familiarity than he should have. How the hell does he recognize her?
Chuckling, she rights herself, pulling from his grip. “Yes, sorry. You have me at a disadvantage.” Her eyes search his face. “Do I know you?”
“We met a long time ago. I’m Benny,” he tells her, his gaze lingering on her face too long.
I peer at him over Roza’s shoulder and the devil stares back at me.
“Excuse us.” I push Roza past him and shudder when the door closes behind him.
“There was something creepy about him, right?” Roza asks. “And kinda hot?”
No, she was right the first time. Creepy.
I watch him out of the window until he disappears from sight. There’s something very wrong with him. I pull my phone from my purse and type a text to Viktor. We don’t speak often but keep each other in the loop usually.
Just seen your Benjamin. Here in the US.
Once we’re sitting at the table, Roza gets lost in talking about her interior design company. Viktor finally texts back.
Benny is gone.
I know. I just saw him. What happened? I’m sorry.
“I’ve been asked to design Eddie Reeves' new house,” Roza says excitedly.
My mouth drops open and I reach over and squeeze her in a hug. “Sweetheart that’s huge. He’s so hot right now.” I wink and she rolls her eyes. Eddie Reeves is a championship boxer whose career is gaining momentum and garnishing celebrity status.
“Don’t try to sound hip, Mom.” She groans.
“I am hip,” I protest.
“Neither of us are hip. We’re too old to be hip.” She chuckles, snagging a piece of my bacon, and shoving it into her mouth as another text comes through.
You misunderstand, Alyona. Stay away from him. He is not Benny anymore.
Maybe he’s had to change his name. That’s a theme among us all at some point.
“Everything okay?” Roza asks, dipping her eyes to my phone.
“Fine. When is Vol coming over?”
Stabbing at a piece of fruit she moves it around her plate. “This weekend. Then, hopefully we can start planning the wedding.”
If she says so. I can’t help but think there isn’t going to be a wedding…not to Brett anyway.
“I appreciate you always supporting me, Mom.”
My heart swells and I reach over and squeeze her hand. “Always, baby girl.”
Who is he then?
I type back after paying the bill and pushing out the restaurant into the brisk morning air.
Roza kisses my cheeks and waves goodbye, taking off in the opposite direction. I watch until she reaches her car before I turn for mine, checking my phone for Viktor’s reply.
The monster.
THE END … FOR NOW