Ruthless Stranger by Maggie Cole

Epilogue

Maksim

One Month Later

Aspen's eyes glisten."I can't believe my dad knew who I was again. He even remembered your name after I introduced you. It was a half hour later."

"Yes. He seems to be happy, too?"

She puts her hand on my cheek. "Yes. I can never thank you enough. The difference in only three weeks is incredible. The new home is really helping him."

I kiss her then say, "No more thank-yous. It's your father. And I enjoy our visits. Especially the look on your face when he asks if you want a fried bologna sandwich."

Aspen groans but wears a huge grin. And her happiness is my top priority.

The car stops. I point out the window. "Anna's here."

We get out of the car and exchange greetings with Anna. Her face lights up. "Are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm so excited," Aspen admits.

I lead Aspen and Anna into the building and up to the roof. It's not built out yet, but the purpose is to look at the space and view.

"What do you think, my krasotka?"

Aspen looks around the rooftop. "I think it's perfect."

"You do?"

Her eyes shine. "Yes. This is incredible! Anna, how did you think of this?"

Anna smiles. "When I was designing it, I thought it was an amazing view. I couldn't stop thinking about it. If my wedding hadn't been in the winter, I would have done it. It's awesome and a unique location."

"Absolutely." Aspen turns to me. "And we can do this here?"

I chuckle. "If this is what you want, this is what you will have." Anna designed a rooftop garden we will soon be implementing on a building we just finished. The view overlooks Lake Michigan, and the night view is just as impressive. Glass surrounds the roof, providing shelter from the wind. Anna already has a design she showed Aspen based on what they discussed.

Aspen looks around. "This is perfect."

Anna claps. "Awesome. I can work with the wedding planner to coordinate everything."

My krasotka beams. "Thanks."

Anna hugs Aspen. "I've gotta run. But I'll call you later."

"Great. Thank you again."

"No problem."

I kiss Anna on the cheek and hug her. "Thank you."

She winks. "Of course." She leaves.

I lead Aspen to the edge of the roof. I stand behind her and put my arms around her waist. I point to a section in the far north corner. "See those buildings? Past the green billboard?"

"Yes."

"My father helped build them."

She looks up in surprise. "Your dad was in construction?"

"Among other things. Every time we passed those buildings, he proudly reminded us he built them."

She leans back into my chest, gazing at the rundown structures. "I'm glad you have some good memories of your childhood."

"I was twenty-two when everything changed. My childhood was full of good memories. We struggled for money, but our home was full of love. Boris and Dmitri were older, so they have better memories. Sergey, well, his are mixed," I admit, feeling guilty about my brother having his childhood ripped away.

Aspen hooks her hands on my thighs. She tilts her head and continues to take in the view.

I put my hands over hers. "This always reminds me of our first night in Vegas."

"Mmm." She tilts her head up. "It was a pretty good night, huh?"

I wiggle my eyebrows. "One of the best." I lean down and kiss her.

She spins and slides her hands into my hair, kissing me back.

My phone rings. I groan. "Sorry. It's Boris. He's at the job site." We only had Sam do one day of cleanup so we weren't in violation of our city contract. Then we moved him to the north lot Sergey suggested. We started the project to keep our men working. Today, they are back on the old city lot, cleaning it out.

"Go ahead." Aspen smiles, lighting up my world.

I keep her pulled close to me. "Boris."

His voice is agitated. "We have a problem."

"What is it?"

"Maksim..."

"Boris, what's wrong?"

"You need to get over here."

"I'm on my way. Tell me what is going on."

"There're bodies."

"Bodies?" I take Aspen's hand and walk toward the stairs.

"Everywhere. All over the city lot. They had to stop digging. The detectives need to talk to all of us. I explained we just bought the property."

"Shit. This is going to hold up our development. How long are the police estimating it will take to remove the remains?"

The line goes silent.

"Are you still there?"

"Maksim, they're Russian bodies. Their bones are branded."

My blood turns cold. I stop mid-step.

"Maksim—"

"Boris, I'm on my way. Stay off the phone." I hang up.

"What's wrong?" Aspen asks.

Once a year, Boris pays his debt.

"He always has me brand their bones while they are still alive." Boris's voice after one of his annual "debt payoffs" with Zamir fills my mind.

"They dug up bodies on the city lot. I think it's Zamir's graveyard. We need to go."

Horror fills Aspen's face. "Maksim—"

"I don't know the details yet. Let's try not to jump to conclusions." I put my hand on her back and lead her through the building. When we get in the car, I pull her onto my lap, holding her close.

I finally have everything I've ever wanted in my life. I cannot lose any of my brothers.

We pull up to the job site and Boris slides into the car. Out of all of us, Boris is the calm one. He never looks worried. But right now, he is agitated.

"I need to know," I say.

He glances at Aspen then me. "These bodies have been planted. Zamir is trying to set me up."

"We always cover our tracks so nothing is ever traceable."

Boris swallows hard. "What if it is?"

The hairs on my arms stand up. "Why would it be?"

"I don't know, Maksim. If he's trying to set us up, don't you think they would be traceable?"

The ruthless beast in me claws at my gut, wanting to kill Zamir. It's no different from the feeling I've had whenever I think of Zamir. But this time, killing Zamir may not solve our problems.

I reach forward and hold my brother's cheeks. "We don't assume anything. Let's take this a step at a time. Now is not the time to lose your ability to stay calm and use your head."

Boris takes a deep breath and nods, but I've never seen the worry in his eyes like right now.

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