Page 35 of Pretty Evil
We head into the church and the mood darkens as soon as I see the casket laid on a stand before the altar. Mama starts to weep and brushes the ever-present tears away with the back of her hand.
She steps forward and takes my hand and whispers, “Go to your father and pay your last respects.”
I kiss her cheek and hate how heavy my heart is inside me and as my feet drag me to the coffin, I steel myself to look inside.
When I see my father lying there, defeated in death, the pain is immeasurable. He could be sleeping. He looks so peaceful, and I wonder what ran through his mind when his heart gave out.
“I love you, pa, rest in peace.” I bow down and pay my respects, holding my hands in prayer over his body, praying for his soul and eternal peace. Then I move away and light a candle for him that I place beside the ones already burning brightly.
As I walk away, a darkness descends upon my soul because he is gone. He was the person the entire family orbited around, and our loss is great.
Mama smiles sadly as I pass and whispers, “Go and rest, Alexei. Your brothers will be arriving throughout the day. Bring your guest to meet me in one hour’s time.”
“You don’t have to…”
She holds up her hand. “I insist.”
She turns away and heads to the casket and Ana says softly, “She needs a distraction. Your companion will prove a convenient one.”
I sigh and as I make to leave, she reaches out and touches my arm. “This woman.”
“Serena.” I say her name, loving how it curls around my heart.
“You like her?” Ana stares at me with a hopeful expression and I roll my eyes. “I like her, but that’s where it ends. We are not together, we are strangers. She is good company that will disappear when she reaches her destination.”
I turn to leave, and she whispers, “Then I will pray for you too, Alexei. There are too many Romanovs who prefer to live alone. The only couple who were happy together now find themselves in that same position. Try harder, brother. Find someone who makes you as happy as pa did mama.”
She turns away, but her words stay with me. She is right about one thing. The Romanovs are solitary creatures. We let nobody in and if they try, they are rejected. It’s easier that way. No regrets and no emotion, just business.
That’s all we need. Power, money, and wealth. Not love. Not emotion and definitely not someone else to worry about because it hurts too much when they leave.
CHAPTER18
SERENA
As soon as my attendants leave, I take a deep breath and really look around. The house is amazing and far too grand for guests. It’s a work of art in its own right and I appreciate every single exquisite touch. It’s obviously not just a vision from a mood board. There are so many personal touches that make me wonder about Alexei’s mother. I canfeelher here. Everywhere I turn because the small family photographs dotted around the space reveal a family who are very close and enjoy one another’s company.
I find myself lingering on the ones of Alexei. He is so handsome and so commanding, even through the camera lens.
I am curious about this family. His brothers are much the same as him and he wasn’t kidding when he told me his mother had her hands full. There is one small girl with them. Beautiful and happy. Her eyes sparkle as she is surrounded by her brothers, and it warms my heart. I understand what that’s like. To be the center of a family. Surrounded by love and protection—sometimes too much, but like me, I’m guessing she wouldn’t want it any other way.
A sudden movement startles me and as I turn, my heart flutters when I see Alexei leaning against the doorjamb watching me.
He shifts off and prowls toward me and takes the silver frame from my hand and smiles.
“My sister Anastasia. We call her Ana. It’s a lot less of a mouthful.”
He points to the boys beside him. “That’s Mikhail. He’s a cruel bastard and has never been any different.”
I shiver as the eyes that stare out from the frame at me appear to know all my secrets and it appears that Mikhail was born to the life he lives now. There is no emotion in those eyes and just a grave expression, daring anyone to challenge him, something they would regret, I’m sure.
He points to another image. “This is Valentin. He doesn’t say much and is a stranger most of the time. Don’t expect polite conversation from any of them. They don’t know how.”
“Your family is much like mine, Alexei.”
I say, experiencing a sudden homesickness for my own. “They don’t wear emotion well, but I can tell there is a deep love for you all in these photographs.”
I point to the one of two older people and note the pain intensify in his eyes. “My mother and father. They were devoted to one another. I am worried for her now he has gone.”