Zephyr's Promise

Epilogue

Fucking Thursday's. This is what I get for not sitting on my ass and coming up with plans. The secluded bubble of happiness I have been living in didn't last long. Two days. That's all I got with her before I had to rush off to Moscow.
Papa broke the news to Ivan. Retaliation was his first instinct. As such someone had to stop him from causing anymore damage. After finding him. Then knocking him out I locked and chained him to his bed. Thursday's are my days to check on my psychopathic uncle. Why Papa refuses to dispose of him I understand. Though I don't agree. If he hadn't asked me personally not to I would have already buried the man.

"When I get out of here you will pay for this." He grumbles. The once youthful skin around his eyes is now tight. In only mere weeks he has aged enough for a lifetime.

"I am so scared." Mockingly I shove him back into his bed.

The worst of it is over. Forcing Ivan to use the bathroom while he's sedated is always a struggle. The man is almost as tall and built as myself. Moving a mountain of a man is the last thing I wish to be doing.

"I should've encouraged your mother to get that abortion when I had the chance." Grimacing, I secure him back to the bedposts. Arms and legs. The bastard is sneaky and I don't doubt he could find a way out if he isn't fully trapped.

"I wish someone would have told  grandmother the same about you." This is not the first time Ivan has spewed his bullshit. Won't be the last either.

When I'm finished gagging his mouth I leave him and feel relief. His daughter Lenya asked that we make sure he can only make minimal noise. His raging through the nights has been a disturbance to the house staff. The only person unaffected by him is his wife Lesta. Self medicating has done wonders for her. These days she seems like she is on a different planet. Void of any real thought or emotion. Completely unfeeling
Lenya steadily has been keeping the family of three together. At least with appearances. Shopping off her father's credit cards. Forcing her mother to make public mafia appearances. She's doing everything she can to ward off any suspicions.
Soon the Brotherhood will know Ivan's out of commission. Preparations for his disappearance are being made now. Just another reason why I haven't spent nearly as much time with Nile as I want.
When Ivan's medical condition is announced he will have to be sent underground. The risk of him exposing our plot is too great. The Brotherhood is already fragile h. enough. With the emerging future Pahkan we have to play this right. No more secret meetings or revoults. Our enemies will already be ready to pounce once they hear the news.
Viktor is a Petrov. Since none of Papa's descendants wants or is viable for the throne he has every right to it. Petrov blood flows through him. Right now that is the most important thing. A Petrov has to be on the throne. Many will doubt him. They will claim he isn't the strongest or wise enough. Other families with decent rankings will push their sons to challenge him. These aren't merely possibilities either. They will happen. Having Ivan running around Moscow disparaging our family name will not help.
Enemies constantly lurk. In the shadows they wait for any opportunity to strike. Lately it has been quiet between the different organizations. The summer came and went with no mumblings from the underground. Maybe we are being given a break because of all the issues currently. Really, I know it's simply the calm before the storm.

"Big cousin." Lenya's thick accent stops me in my tracks.

"Little one." I respond with an amused smirk.

Like she used to when she was younger she hugs me with all of her strength. Which she has plenty of. Being a girl never stopped her from doing what the boys do. Among us she is the best hunter of all of Papa's grandchildren. She never wanted to be othered simply because of her gender. If anything she claims being a woman only made her stronger.