Page 46 of Tangled Roses

When we get to the rooms she will now call home, her expression is blank and I hate that she is distancing herself from me. For her own self–preservation, pulling away from me.

I leave her alone as per her request and as I walk away, every step I take is heavier than the last as it creates distance between us.

Suddenly, business doesn’t seem as appealing as it did before and so with a deep sigh, I adjust my mood and head to my den where I’ll call Titus and fill him in. Then I will head back to the office and immerse myself in the real reason I’m here and try to forget all about the woman who is unwittingly the mastermind of my destruction.

I reach my den and waste no time in calling my brother, who remains silent when I relay the details of my meeting with Marsha.

“What are your thoughts?” He asks when I finish and I sigh.

“Whatever the mystery is concerning Gabrielle lies in the mind of Boris Fedorov. Marsha assured us he wasn’t the father, but knowing that man, it wouldn’t surprise me to discover he is. It’s obvious Marsha visits Russia a lot and Russia visits her too. When I asked about Nikolai, she assured me he was just a customer of hers who demanded her personal services when he was in the United States. She often flew to meet him wherever he went because he is a private man who has a close circle of people he can trust.”

“That doesn’t explain her desire to purchase Thorn House and her involvement with Veronica Scott-Stanley.”

Titus is exasperated. I can tell by the tone of his voice and I share his concern. We are going around in circles and are going backwards, not forward.

“I questioned her about her visit to London and her desire to buy Veronica Scott-Stanley’s house and she told me she wanted it for sentimental reasons and it was the perfect location for parties. I don’t believe a word that woman speaks, but I do believe her genuine fear for her daughter, so the only thing left to do was to ask her to leave, and hope that Luka can keep close surveillance on her. So far, her story checks out with Nikolai. The recordings tell us that, and it appears he is only using her for sex.”

Titus sighs heavily. “Now we must wait for his meeting with Roden to reveal the real reason he is here and despite what we learned today, it’s as if we are no further forward in discovering who killed our father.”

“What are your thoughts?”

I’m curious because knowing my brother, he will have thought long and hard about this and he replies with an irritated edge to his voice. “I am still figuring that out. Keep me informed and I’ll do some more digging from here. Ana is looking into The Rose Foundation and we must discover what Barinov is up to with Roden. There are many pieces to this puzzle and the picture is unclear, but we will discover every single piece if it takes me the rest of my life.”

“I agree.”

I exhale sharply. “I must go. I have many meetings this afternoon, but the picture is a more positive one after my attendance at the party last night.”

“I heard.” He sighs. “At least pa’s involvement was a business one. Fucking degenerates.”

“If all it takes is four meetings a year with those degenerates, as you call them to keep the waters calm, I’ll do it gladly, but I’ll do it the same way our father did and leave before the evening turns sour.”

“You weren’t tempted, then?”

Titus sounds amused and I snap. “Of course I wasn’t tempted. Fucking whores against the wall for fun isn’t my idea of a good time. Sometimes I wonder how these men are still in power.”

“We don’t owe them our loyalty, but it helps with our business interests. They need us as much as we need them and now the power has shifted and they know it. Good job, Arman, keep in touch.”

He cuts the call and I wonder what’s running through his mind. Titus keeps his thoughts to himself. He always has, and if I’m considered cold, he is an iceberg.

I momentarily think of Ellie and have a strong urge to be with her now, but I push it aside and focus my mind on business instead. It will always be business with me and I will work out what to do with her when I have my mind back where it should be.

CHAPTER 27

ELLIE

When Arman left, it was as if I could breathe again. For the past hour, I’ve done nothing but sit on the white couch overlooking the skyline and think about what happened today.

Of all the things that happened, one thing stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

I met my mother.

I hate her.

For so many years, I imagined our first meeting. I always knew it would happen. It was inevitable.

I never expected what happened though.

She pretended I was dead.