Stewart's P.O.V. I know Anushka has to have that flash drive in her house. I already had someone who works for her look in the office, and it wasn't there. It has to be in her home, but the person I sent there couldn't find it. When she took over, I had left it hidden inside the desk in my office. It contains all the evidence needed to prove that she's Christov's daughter. No one can find out that she exists, or I'll be dead. I know Christov loved Gloria, and if Anushka tells him how I treated them, he will make me suffer. My only regret is not getting rid of the proof that Anushka is Christov's. Gloria made the mistake of keeping a diary on her laptop that outlined her time with Christov and how she was pregnant when we met. I took a swab from Anushka's mouth when she was a baby and had her DNA tested to see if she was mine. When the results came back, they showed that I wasn't her father. That's when I decided I would make her mother's life hell for tricking me. Gloria's diary a
Anushka's P.O.V. I watch Christov with Dakota, and I can forget that he's a mob boss for a minute. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this man being my father. How did Stewart find out, and why did he never say anything? I also have a hitman coming after me. "Anushka, you have five half brothers. I'm going to meet with them tonight to tell them about you. You will inherit 25% of my business when Dakota has her fifth birthday." I stop him before he can go on. "I don't want any part of your business. I'm doing fine, so leave things as they were before you knew about me." I'm positive I want no ties to the Russian mob. That's an extra headache we don't need to deal with. "I insist. You don't have to be involved in the business. You can just sit back and let your inheritance grow." I shake my head. "I don't want any affiliation with it or the attention it will bring to my family and me. I don't mind you spending time with us, but as a father and grandfather, no business involv
Kozar's P.O.V. When the text comes over that Dad wants an urgent meeting with me and my brothers, I want to refuse. I don't like some of the businesses he's involved in. I only associate myself with the clean businesses. I went to college and graduated at the top of my class with a business degree. My brothers thought it was a waste of time, but I'm not like them. I don't even look like them. I take after my mother. Instead of blonde hair and blue eyes, I have black hair and dark brown eyes. They are all tall and somewhat muscular, but I'm built like a football player. At least that's what dad says. I'm six foot six and huge compared to the rest of them. Everyone thinks I'm an enforcer when really I'm a giant nerd. I'm quieter than the rest of them and prefer to keep to myself. I'm also the only one who doesn't live on the family compound. I live in Manhattan. Everyone else is already gathered in Dad's office when I get to the family home. I stand next to the door, ready to leave
Anushka's P.O.V. I can't believe that Kozar is my half-brother. Everyone is looking at us in confusion. "How exactly do you two know each other?" Jordan asks. "We went to the same college. He was a year ahead of me and my mentor for two years. We lost contact when he graduated, and I started seeing Harrison." I don't even want to say that bastard's name. "You guys didn't date, did you?" Christov asks, joining us in the living room. Kozar and I laugh. "No, we were just really good friends," Kozar replies. I always wondered what happened to him. After his graduation it was like he fell off the face of the Earth. "Can Tyler and Sarah come out now?" Dakota asks. "Yes. You can get them." I tell her. She runs to her room and returns with Courtney and the two kids. Dakota is holding their hands. "This is Mommy's nurse, Courtney, and my friends Tyler and Sarah. This is Grandpa Chrissy and Uncle Kozy." She introduces. "It's nice to meet you both. I'm going to start cooking
Zakhar's P.O.V. Looking out my bedroom window, I watch my dad and Kozar leave. I know they're going to see this woman who claims to be Dad's daughter. I don't believe it. Why would she show up now out of the blue? I pull out my phone to call Dimitri. If there's anything to find on her, he'll be the one to find it. "Hello?" he answers. "Dimitri, it's Zakhar. I need you to find everything you can on a woman named Anushka Wilkins." I tell him. "Are you looking for anything specific?" he asks. "No. Just give me everything as soon as possible." I disconnect the call and sigh. For my dad's sake, I hope this woman is being honest. I don't care about the money from the business despite what everyone thinks. I'm worried about someone getting close to the family only to bring us down. We have some clean businesses, but we also have some that aren't. I run my hands through my pale blonde hair and sigh. Most people assume that our family deals in human trafficking, drugs, and prostitut
Anushka's P.O.V. "Dinner's ready," Courtney announces. Jordan pushes me into the dining room, and everyone takes their seats. Tyler and Sarah hang on to Bobby while Dakota acts like the hostess. I like that I know the truth about who my dad is and that I have brothers. However, it concerns me that Dakota is inadvertently being placed within a family of crime. "Uncle Zakky, after we eat, do you want to see my room? It's not done yet, but it's really neat." Zakhar smiles at Dakota. My little girl can win over even the hardest of hearts, but there are some people I wish would stay away. I don't want people to find out who our family is because it could put targets on our backs. Courtney begins serving bowls of salad, lasagna, and garlic bread. "I would love to. How are you feeling, Anushka? Dad told us what happened." I finish chewing a bite of salad before I answer. "I'm actually doing pretty well. The doctor left right before you came, and he said I'm doing better than expecte
Christov's P.O.V. "Is everything okay?" Kozar asks when I put my phone down after talking to Victor. I look at Anushka and smile slightly. "That was Victor. It appears that the man Stewart hired stopped by the house, trying to make a deal with Victor. Your brother has taken him to the negotiations' room." I look at Kozar and Zakhar. "What room is that?" Dakota asks. How do I say it so the others understand without telling my granddaughter what we do in that room? "It's the room where we show people the error of their ways," I explain. I can tell Anushka and Jordan know what I'm saying, but the little one isn't done questioning me. "Is it like time out? Sometimes, the mean kids in my school have to sit in time out." I can't get over how smart she is. "Yes, it's just like a time-out room," I reply. Dakota smiles and nods. "Are there guns in that room?" I can tell that Anushka being shot had a big impact on her, and I understand why she doesn't want guns around. I can't blame
Anushka's P.O.V. I feel like I can breathe a little easier once Christov and Zakhar leave. It's just a bit overwhelming to know that I'm related to them, and they killed Stewart, and now this hitman. I don't look at Kozar in the same way. Courtney gives me a pain pill and unhooks my IV. Dr. Martinez said I no longer need the fluids, so I only get IV antibiotics twice daily. "How do you think your other brothers will be?" I ask Kozar as Jordan pushes me into the living room. Courtney, Bobby, Gavin, and the kids join us. "I don't know. The only one I'd really be cautious of is Yurkov. I thought Zakhar may not take it well, but he proved me wrong. I agree with Dad that you would be safe on the compound for a visit. It's a huge place with a lot of security. Everyone lives there except for me." He explains. "Why don't you live there, Uncle Kozy?" Dakota asks, crawling onto his lap. "I like living in the city, and I live next door to you." I smile at him when Dakota hugs him. K