Page 75 of Tangled Roses

Adele smiles, but it’s as cool as the ocean splashing on an iceberg.

“This woman–” She points to a pretty blonde. “This is Grace, Arman’s mother and Andrei’s wife.”

I try to disguise my shock as she points to the other woman with a wicked smile. “And this is Veronica, his father’s mistress.”

I stare in horror at the photograph and Adele says airily, “Yes, it was an interesting time and I believe they continued their triangle until quite recently when Andrei died and Veronica suffered a terrible accident.”

“Why are you showing me this?”

I fix her with a blank expression and she leans forward and says softly, “Because Marsha’s baby is of considerable importance to her father and he is desperate to be reunited.”

The room spins and I need oxygen fast because what the actual hell? My mind is racing and my legs are shaking, but somehow I keep it all behind the cold wall I have erected between us and merely shrug.

“I wish I could help, but I can’t. Humor me though, why is he so interested all of a sudden? I mean, he paid this woman to get rid of the baby. It’s a little too late to play happy families now.”

“Not for him, but it could be.” She says enigmatically and then turns the photograph around and shrugs.

“The search continues. I’ll show you back to the party, Ellie.”

As we leave the room, I swear my mind is racing and as we reach the happy laughter of the party that’s in full swing, only one thing concerns me. Andrei Romanov can’t be my father because if my real father is searching for me now, he must be alive, whereas Arman’s father definitely isn’t and I can’t wait to let him know.

CHAPTER 46

ARMAN

We’ve been set up. As soon as Adele spirited Ellie away, I realized that. Charles, by asking for my opinion on his struggles with balancing business and politics, made it impossible for me to ignore him.

I was helpless when I saw Adele lead Ellie around the corner and it took all of my self control not to race after them.

They were gone for thirty minutes and I hated every single second of it.

When Ellie walks toward me, I can tell by her expression that something happened, but I wasn’t prepared for the excited relief that shone in her eyes.

Adele makes her excuses and leaves us alone and Ellie wastes no time in pulling me away from the crowds and whispers, “Please, can we go?”

I don’t hesitate or even attempt to excuse ourselves and head back the way we came.

I’m surprised when Ellie slips her hand into mine and says in a low voice. “Your father can’t be mine.”

“Why not?”

We carry on walking and she says happily, “Adele knows my real father, and he is looking for me.”

I swear my heart rate increases to its limit, but I maintain my composure because what Adele says may not be fact and I must manage our expectations on this.

We reach the helicopter and as we take our seats, I sense the relief in Ellie’s expression and as the door closes, she grips my hand tightly and the relief on her face is contagious.

I hold back until I know the facts but something obviously happened back there that could help and as we take off and head back to the city, I pray with all my heart we find the answers we need so we can get on with our lives.

As we enter the living area of my penthouse, my phone rings and I note Doctor Monroe’s name beside the call.

I steal a glance at Ellie, who is following me and hold up my hand, jerking my thumb toward the couch.

“Doctor.”

Her eyes widen when she realizes who I’m speaking to and as he speaks, I swear every nerve ending in my body stands to attention.

“I see. Thank you.”