I notice Timur and Pavel shifting uncomfortably on their feet.
Finally, Pavel speaks up. “It wasn’t possible. Father deserved to pay his respects.”
I hit my chest several times. “I deserved to pay my respects! He was the one who ordered her death.”
The tension in the room rises to dangerous levels, but I don’t care. I’m ready to have it out with all four of them.
“There you go again, accusing Father of murdering her!” Vlad growls. “We all know you are the reason she died. You. You are bad luck, Anton.”
His words actually hurt because, in a sense, he’s right. Father had the people I loved killed because of the damn inheritance I now control.
The only thing that brings any sense of comfort is the secret I hold close to my heart. I know my father died a slow and torturous death because I was there.
Timur startles me when I feel his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry you were not allowed to mourn with the family.”
I feel an ache in my chest, remembering that day. I was forced to grieve for my mother alone in the rain after everyone else had left. Although his words cannot take the painful memory away, it does affect me.
I nod in acknowledgment.
I wish I could feel closer to my brothers, but I feel nothing. My father purposely kept me separated from them, so I do not share the brotherly bonds that they do.
I glare at Andrev, waiting for his apology after the insult he threw at me earlier. My hatred for him only grows with each passing second. “You are not allowed to ever call me that again.”
Andrev folds his arms across his chest and glowers at me in silence.
Timur bumps his shoulder. “It was low, Andrev. Apologize.”
He shakes his head, narrowing his eyes in defiance.
“Then I have nothing more to say,” I tell them. “You may all leave my house.”
I see Vlad tense on hearing my little reminder that the mansion now belongs to me.
“Damn it, Andrev. Apologize to him. We need that money,” Pavel whines.
Andrev growls. “I despise you, Anton.”
“The feeling is mutual, maggot.”
He looks at the other three and scowls at them angrily.
“Do it,” Pavel whines.
Andrev’s upper lip curls in a snarl. “I am sorry for calling you what you are, but I promise not to do it again.”
Timur groans, but I hear Vlad chuckle under his breath.
What I wouldn’t give to use my cat o’ nines right now and erase both of their snide expressions.
“Enough!” Timur cries. “Stop acting like a child and apologize to Anton. If not for us, then in memory of our dear mother.”
The mood in the room changes at once. Despite our differences, we are unified in our love for our mother.
Andrev looks at me again and lets out a tortured sigh. “For Mother’s sake alone, I apologize to you, and I will not say it again.”
I glare at him. “See that you don’t.”
“Now that your ego has been appeased, answer the question,” Vlad demands. “Are you going to continue the stipends?”
I incline my head and smile. “Yes—and no.”
“What?” Andrev shrieks.
I see I finally have their attention.
“I will not continue to take your manhood away as has been done in the past. You will work hard for your money like every good Russian must.”
When Vlad starts to protest, I put my hand up.
“However, I will not abandon your families. I have decided to lower your stipends to a reasonable amount to support them as a courtesy to you.”
“A courtesy?” Andrev bellows.
I raise an eyebrow. “What else would you call it when I willingly give your family charity at your request?”
I find it amusing to watch the veins pop out of Andrev’s forehead as he starts fuming again.
“That is our money! Our money!” Vlad shouts.
They all nod in agreement.
“Feel free to take it up with Grandfather,” I joke angrily. “But he was quite specific in his will, and none of the assets have been willed to you.”
“You’re such a fucking asshole!” Vlad growls.
All four brothers begin burning with rage. They look like they are about to explode, so I add gasoline to the fire.
“Of course, I am under no obligation to give anyone a stipend.” I look directly at Vlad. “You are in control of your future.”
I take pleasure in using his own words against him. I enjoy that little twist of the knife.
“You’re such a hypocrite,” Andrev snarls. “Here you judge us, acting all righteous by telling us we must work for our money, when you sit on your ass, swimming in it.”
“You are wrong, Andrev. Grandfather knew that the person who inherited it would become a slave to that responsibility. What you see as a tremendous gift is actually a cruel punishment.”
Andrev clasps his hands together dramatically, looking around at his brothers. “Let’s all feel sorry for Anton, shall we?”
Vlad snarls. “If this burden is too big for you, then why are you keeping it all for yourself? Why not split it up five ways and be done with it?”
The others shout their agreement.
So, I tell them the truth. “You would not be able to handle it.”
“I’m willing to make that sacrifice,” Andrev states.
I look him in the eyes when I tell him, “I would never be so cruel. It would destroy your family.”
“Oh, Anton, the savior of us all!” Vlad cries sarcastically.
I sigh in frustration.
They are fools. Grandfather knew it, and he made me the king of fools. I look toward the heavens, unamused.
“Surely, Grandfather never meant for Anton to keep it all,” Pavel whimpers to Timur.
Of all my brothers, Timur is the only one who seems to be listening. Rolling back his shoulders, he turns to face me. “I accept the generosity of your monthly gift, Anton.”
I nod to him. “Peace be with you and your family, Timur.”
Not wanting to lose his stipend, Pavel blurts, “Thank you, Anton.”
“You’re welcome, Pavel.”
Vlad and Andrev stare at each other. While I don’t care if I ever see either of them again, I’d hate for their wives and children to suffer because of their pride.
However, my two older brothers need to practice a little humility.
I’m actually surprised when Vlad goes first. “While I resent you, I will not turn down your money.”
Rather than wishing his family well, I tell him with all sincerity, “I pray that God provides your wife with extraordinary forbearance in the years ahead. The poor woman needs it.”
He scowls. “Fuck you, Anton!”
I raise my eyebrows and wait.
Through gritted teeth, he tells me. “My family thanks you for the gift.”
I find his response acceptable and nod.
Everyone turns to stare at Andrev.
He shakes his head, unable to accept I am solely in charge of the Durov estate, even though he knows Grandfather chose me.
I find his inner struggle entertaining to watch.
Andrev looks at the other three, growling in disgust. “Is that really it? All of you are willing to lap up his scraps like mangy dogs?”
They say nothing.