Uncle Igor had lived in that code. He’d been vory e zakone—a thief of law.
In 1941, Hitler invaded the Soviet Union. Stalin dangled freedom to prisoners that would join and fight Hitler. Many of the criminals enlisted. When the war was over, Stalin sent them right back to prison. Then a recession hit, people were paid in vodka. Stalin died. Somehow, those betrayed were released. A new breed of criminal came, eating away at the soviet machine.
My uncle was one of those deceived prisoners, and he was also a hero to me and others.
But his life scared me too. The aging and dying. The lack of hair and muscle. The regret and dread in his eyes. The sadness sagging his wrinkles. The cold loneliness moving around him, icing the castle, freezing the stone walls.
He will die like all my other uncles. Either someone will kill him, or he will kill himself.
Before he died, my Uncle Dmitriy told me that his dead daughter haunted his dreams. She’d been killed at ten years old by an enemy. It drove him mad after that. In his last years, he experienced a crisis of conscience. He still killed, but the murders were philanthropic. He took the lives of the bad to equalize the population of good. In the end, he died old and alone. The neighbors had complained of the smell and called the police. He was found covered in his own piss and with tons of dead bodies stacked in his basement.
I won’t be like my uncles.
I would rather die an early death than leave the earth that way. Let twenty men barrel through my room and fill me up with bullets. Let it be that I was outsmarted and outwitted. Let it be that I went down with a gun in my hand and another’s skull in the other.
But I couldn’t die alone. Not this way. Not in a castle full of people who don’t care for me. Not with servants and men who are forced to give me loyalty versus ones who truly care.
“I want your permission to talk to Valentina,” Uncle Igor said.
“You don’t need my permission for that.”
“Yes, but many know it’s not smart to upset her, especially when you’re concerned.”
“Then, I would recommend having a nice conversation.”
Uncle Igor didn’t look pleased. In his day, he didn’t ask. He ordered. Even more, he’d wiped my ass and changed my diapers when he was making the orders. And now, I had grown up, towering over him physically, and had more power too.
This will happen to me one day. My niece or…son…or daughter…he or she will tell me I can’t do something, and I’ll have to accept it.
Uncle Igor snorted. “Your mind is not with me, lev. It’s with the mouse.”
“No, it’s on legacy.”
He snorted again. “Legacy? What is legacy but broken promises and shattered dreams?”
“Your son, Misha is strong in Europe,” I said.
“But nowhere else. He has millions of fake money and believes he’s running the world.”
“Cryptocurrency is very real, Uncle, and Misha dominates it.”
“Still, I want more from my legacy.” He faced me. “Talk to Valentina first. Ask her about who the father is. And then when I talk to her, she’ll be prepared.”
I don’t know about that.
I nodded but made no commitment. There was more going on right now than a discussion on grandchildren and baby fathers.
“Do you need my help, these next days?” my uncle asked.
“Just continue to listen.”
He fanned his face as sweat dripped on the sides. “I hate when we must kill our own, but one must consider that it is more than Sasha coming after you.”
“I agree.”
“Who do you trust?” he asked.
“Not many.”
“Luka?”
“I believe so.”
“How has he been?”
“The same as always.”
“That could be an indicator. Was he not off balance with Sasha’s betrayal?”
“He’s been Luka, never showing emotion, but always there and ready.”
“I don’t want Luka to have anything to do with this, but he’s always been your shadow. Sometimes men do not like to be another’s shadow.”
I nodded.
“And your mouse…” Uncle Igor appeared uncomfortable with talking about her, but he continued anyway, “your mouse will either kill or heal you. Get control of your emotions, when it comes to her.”
I didn’t know why I asked, but I did. “Do you like her?”
“Does it matter?” he asked.
“No, but I want to know your thoughts.”
“To get your attention, she must be the most amazing woman of this world. You’ve never brought anyone here.”
“These are extenuating circumstances.”
“You’re nervous about how you feel about her. You don’t want my thoughts, you want me to tell you everything with her will be okay. You’re scared. When’s the last time you’ve been so scared?”
I didn’t respond.
“On the day your mother died, she said to make sure you found love. I laughed. Now, I know she was right to let that be her last thoughts. And what else could I do but laugh when your mother, such a beautiful woman, left the world on her terms, covered in silk and diamonds, sipping vodka in between bloody coughs?” Uncle Igor sighed. “Your mother’s here. Do you feel her?”
I breathed the steam in. “Yes. That’s why I always come here, after a rough situation.”
“Then, what do you think your mother would say about Emily?”
“They would’ve been friends.”
“If that’s true, then your mouse is crafty.”
“Yes.”
“Hard to control? Hard to guess her next move?”
“Yes and yes.”
“Your mother’s happy.”
“She probably is.”
“I’m hungry.” Uncle Igor rose. “Let’s eat and see how your mouse does tonight.”
I followed him, putting on my robe and leaving in the opposite direction. He didn’t glance back, but I was sure he knew where I was heading.
I only had a few minutes to see her, but those moments would be enough.
Tonight, she would be in my bed. Did she know? Did she understand that all her nights would be mine from now on?
It was another realization I’d just decided on. What was the point of rising in this world without enjoying the moment with someone as intriguing as her?
It took me no time to get to her room. Two young female servants giggled as I passed them in my robe.
I made it to the dark hallway where Uncle Igor decided to host my guests. He’d told me later that I would get the suite on his level. I’d declined for the first time I’d ever visited. If Emily was on the first level, I would be there too.
Luka stood in front of the door. Worry covered his face.
I put my hand on the knob and turned to him. “What?”
He leaned in closer and kept his voice down. “I should be with you.”
“You say this to me as I stand next to you in a robe?”
Luka didn’t enjoy the humor. “There are enemies here.”
“How do you know?”
“How could it not be?”
“I haven’t died yet.”
“Make sure I’m with you or it’ll be guaranteed.”