Köhler (Book 9 of the Köhler Series)

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Both Xerxes and Luca wanted to track down Dimitri and his son. Even though Vi said she didn't know where the two were, they both knew she was lying to protect her family. In the end, they didn't just figure out that the Nigerians were involved in Talia's disappearance because Maddie was friends with the Novikov's. Also, Emmanuel wants to steal their mafia by marrying her off to Alexei. He failed horribly when she ran away for reasons only she knew, but that was the least of their worries. The biggest surprise for them was finding out that Alexei's mother was Dimitri's first wife. This could explain why he punished Talia for what Adele had done.

"Do you think he knows that Ma killed his mother and not Mitri?"

"Not that it matters but no. Dimitri made it a point to keep that part a secret when he returned her body to her family. They didn't care about her death, and I don't think either of them knew about Alexei. The bitch having a child is new to all of us. He was either born before their marriage or a secret child. Meaning Alexei could be Dimitri's son or even worse. Dominick is her son; Mitri never told who his mother was." Luca spoke, causing Xerxes to look up at his father as his wheels turned.

"I don't think Alexei wants to kill Talia, Dad. Hear me out. If he did, wouldn't we have a body by now? It's been over a year, and I'm sure she is still alive. Novikov wants Maddie's body, but we burn it. He has to know that but also wants to hurt Dominick... I think you may be right. Dom and Alexei share the same mother; it's the only reason he would take Talia. He thinks taking his wife like his dad took his mother from him will harm Dom."

"I'm not following X. Wouldn't that would be killing Lia."

"No, that would mean taking her as his own. This whole fucking time, he's been holding Talia to make her fall in love with him. The shit was never about Maddie. Alexei probably never knew she and Maddie were sisters or didn't care." Xerxes shrugged as his father's eyes widened, texting Dimitri once more. Finally, he got a response that he and Dom were on the way.

"So, you do have it in you. Just a little different than your dad's."

"Pops, I have no idea what the hell you are talking about...."

"Reading people. Luca used to do it all the time. Sit back and watch, then tell us shit that we would never tell another soul. On the other hand, you look at patterns and study the evidence in front of you. Nice, but maybe if you had revealed this a long time ago, it would have been quite helpful." Rodney spoke with Luca nodding his head still in thought. Xerxes just hummed because if never looked at it how his father-in-law just did.

"Tell me, Don, what should we do then?"

"Are you actually asking me or you're being sarcastic?" X asked. He had to ask this question because his father never asked him what to do. It was always Luca telling him what to so he was sitting there waiting for his father's plan when the man was waiting for him to tell his plan.

"You said you wanted me to treat you as Don. Now I am asking my Don what is his plan?"

"Since the Novikovs don't want war. I think that much is clear; we should reach out and offer an olive branch. I could be wrong, but it's been a year and four months, dad... I think he has reached his goal. I say make Dom sign divorce papers and give him his prize...."

"HAVE YOU LOST YOUR FUCKING MIND XERXES?!" Luca stood yelling. It was a strong possibility he had, but it was the only solution he could come up with unless his father had a better one.

"Well, do you have a better one?"

"Ha! He got you there. Didn't he, Luc... I, for one, agree with my son-in-law. If you want your daughter back home, give them what they want. It's a big possibility, as Xerxes said, she's already in love with her capture, and we know why. Or it could all be a game. The only way we can find out is to risk it. You want her home, don't you? Plus, she's not happy with Dom; maybe she can be with him, and I feel Xerxes has something up his sleeve that he is not sharing with the class. But the decision is up to you and Dee."