Andrev turns his anger back on me. “Well, I am not going to prostrate myself before the likes of you. Not for any amount of money.”
I smile. “Fine.”
His eyes widen in surprise.
“I’m only offering it as a courtesy to your children. Unfortunately, I can’t control the fact that their father is a prideful half-wit.”
Vlad grips Andrev’s arm to calm him. “Get it over with, Andrev,” he mutters. “It means nothing.”
But it’s obvious it means something to Andrev. He’s much too proud.
Knowing he needs this lesson in humility, I refuse to back down. “We’re finished here. You can see yourselves out.”
Everyone looks at Andrev in concern. They know he depends on the stipend and his family will suffer needlessly without it.
Timur speaks up. “Do what’s right for your children, Andrev.”
“Yes,” Pavel pleads.
Andrev sets his jaw, meeting my gaze with a look of defiance. It takes him several minutes to force himself to say it. “For my family’s sake, I accept your…” He spits out the word like it’s poison. “…charity.”
“So be it,” I answer, turning my back on them. I close my eyes, fighting the increasing pain from my injuries.
When I hear the four of them start for the door, I announce, “The locks will be changed after today. You will not be entering my home unannounced again.”
I take satisfaction when I hear Andrev curse.
Afterward, rather than sit down, I go outside to stare at the pole.
I do not want to play this new role with my brothers.
It seems cruel that I’m being forced to act as their protector again. As a child, I was the family whipping boy and took all their punishments for them. Now, I have been given the unsavory task as keeper of the Durov estate.
I shake my head and look upward, calling out to my mother.
“There is no need to cry anymore, Mamulya. I willingly accept my fate and promise to protect them all.”
That evening, I gather the staff so we can mourn the death of the two men who gave their lives. While we drink vodka and share stories about them, I look at my staff and make a silent vow not to let another one die needlessly.
Rescue
Needing time alone with my thoughts, I slip on a knitted cap to cover my head, dress down, and put on my shades. I want to blend in with the crowd as I walk the streets of Moscow.
I walk aimlessly until I look up at Sparrow Hills and feel drawn to it.
Taking the metro to Vorobyevy Gory station, I get out and hike up the hill to the top. From there, I have a panoramic view of central Moscow from the Luzhniki Stadium, made famous during the 1980 Summer Olympics, to the iconic skyscrapers known as the Seven Sisters. The Moskva River runs at the base of the hill, and Moscow State University stands behind me.
It’s peaceful here at this time of year because the Russian winter is too harsh for most foreigners. However, today there is no breeze in the air, and it feels almost warm to me.
I close my eyes, taking in the rays of the sun as I listen to Tatianna’s trilling laughter in my mind.
I know why I was drawn here. I needed to feel close to her.
Although the memory hurts me, I can still hear the joy in her voice when she told me her plans to attend Moscow State University…
“Mark my words, Anton. I will graduate with honors.”
I graze my hand against her cheek. “I have no doubt, Tatianna. You have a brilliant mind.”
She blushes a light shade of pink when I touch her, the chemistry between us palpable. “Did you know that the university was founded in 1755 by a decree of Empress Elizabeth and was founded on St. Tatiana Day?”
I grin. “No, I did not.”
“I am destined to go here.” She glances back at the building and states, “After I get my Master’s Degree in Linguistics, I plan to travel throughout Russia so I can preserve the minor languages of our Motherland.”
Tatianna looks at me earnestly. “Did you know there are 120 native languages spoken here?”
I shake my head, genuinely surprised.
“When the older generations pass on, we will lose those languages which are unique to their region and culture.” Tatianna’s eyes fill with tears. “Think of all the wisdom and history that will be lost if something isn’t done.”
“True.”
I am proud of the intense love she has for our people.
“Before we lose our older generation, I want to record their stories in their native languages and interpret them for future generations.”
“That is a worthy endeavor. I’m impressed.”
She smiles, suddenly embarrassed. “I just get worked up because nothing is being done.”
I admire her passion and vision. “It’s rare to have such a clear purpose. Never apologize for it.”
She bites her bottom lip and smiles shyly. The come-hither look in her eyes does neither of us any good when her older brother Titov walks up. “Are you about done here? Because I’m heading home.”
I don’t appreciate the interruption and let out an irritated huff as I turn to face him. “We’ve been here a total of twenty minutes. I have no problem making sure Tatianna gets home safely.”
“It doesn’t matter. I have a problem with it.”
Looking at Tatianna, he barks. “We’re leaving. Now!”
I get that he’s Tatianna’s brother but, lately, this “big brother act” has become intolerable. Ever since Titov started running with the Bratva, he’s been acting like a completely different person.
We used to be best friends even though he’s several years older that me. We had fun as kids, and got into all kinds of mischief together. Lately, though, I hardly recognize the guy.
“Anton, will you join us for lunch?” Tatianna asks sweetly. “My mother is making chebureki.”
Titov growls, letting me know I’m not welcome.
“Some other time, Tatianna,” I promise.
She glances at her brother in irritation, then looks back at me, mouthing the words, I’m sorry.
I smirk. I’m quite capable of dealing with her overbearing brother, but I won’t have to for much longer. Tatianna’s eighteenth birthday is coming up and I have big plans.
On her birthday, I intend to treat her like the princess she is and claim her as mine.
And there’s not a damn thing Titov can do about it.
I let out a ragged sigh as I stare at the striking architecture of Moscow State University. Tatianna never got the chance to attend this place…
How could the three of us know how close we were to losing everything that day?
Tatianna had such vitality and passion. It never should have been snuffed out.
I start back down the hill, my soul heavy with loss. I enter the train in a daze, unaware of the people around me. My heart aches with the same intensity as the day I lost her, and I put my hand to my chest, finding it difficult to breathe.
I get off at the next stop so I can collect myself before the tears start to fall.
As I stand there, taking deep breaths, I look across the tracks to the train stop on the other side. I see a young woman sitting alone, reading a book.
A train thunders by between us, shaking the platform as the air fills with the loud clickety-clack of the wheels on the track.