Page 8 of Scarred Redemption

“Not nearly hard enough.” I shook a few more hands, enduring the lies and pretense while watching so many of those in attendance scuttle away like rats.

All in fear of my retribution.

Let the entire city be terrified.

I set my sights on the woman currently placing a rose on Isabel’s casket and a stuffed animal on Mina’s. All while I bristled from the action.

“Mina’s teacher knows more than she’s willing to share.” I made the statement with no inflection.

He nodded. “Perhaps, or maybe she was simply nervous and did the right thing in contacting you as you asked.”

“The right thing? What exactly does that mean? I would rather be dead. Don’t you find it interesting that she called in sick right after the murders?” I knew where she lived. While wallowing in self-pity, I’d learned everything I could about the private woman including how much money she had in her bank accounts. The only unsettling aspect about her life recently had been that she’d found the need to install a security system at her house.

I’d found no indication she’d been threatened, but there were subtle methods that didn’t involve leaving a footprint, so it was entirely possible. Maybe her fear had been the reason she’d called me on the day of the birthday party. Maybe.

I’d stopped short of breaking into her home to finalize my investigation, but her car had been there the last few days so maybe she hadn’t been lying about taking time off.

“Yes, but you can’t think that way, Pakhan, and I’m going to make a strong suggestion you will not like. Leave her alone, at least for a few more days. Until you’re better settled. She’s had no visitors. I made certain of that.”

I laughed bitterly. “Settled? You mean so that maybe I’m able to control my murderous rage?”

“Yes, something like that.”

He hadn’t been the only person to suggest I refrain from handling business. I’d made an appearance at my office and even that had been too much for me.

Too many condolences.

Too many people walking the other way for fear of setting me off.

They’d had every right to worry. I was a ticking timebomb.

“With all due respect, and while I understand your need for revenge, we all do, you acted without receiving all the necessary information regarding the hit on your family.”

I studied him for a few seconds, defying my typical response as even I knew he was attempting to keep me from going off the deep end. “You’re convinced there is someone else involved.”

“I am. And no, I have nothing concrete. But think about how every single attack was handled. With more precision than I’ve ever equated with biker gangs.”

“Only it would seem they aren’t gangs any longer, but men driven by the same desire as us for the almighty dollar.”

“Which adds credence to my concerns. Someone is watching closely.”

That much I knew to be true. Which I suspected was one reason only those closest to the family and a few stragglers had attended the funeral.

Those in my wider circle were terrified of the aftermath. They should be. I had my eye on every fucking person I knew.

With a deep, painful exhale, I turned my head, catching sight of a woman who’d only recently arrived. Even from a distance, I could see enough of her features to realize she had to be Isabel’s estranged sister.

“Who is that?” Sergei asked.

“I believe it’s Genevieve Parker, Isabel’s twin sister.” I studied her and from a distance, she appeared very much like her sister, only her hair was darker. Yet the physical characteristics were the same. She obviously sensed she was being watched and lifted her head toward me. Her eyes were covered in dark sunglasses, but she didn’t appear as if she was suffering from the loss.

No one was with her, just a lone figure standing yards away. Yet I could tell by seeing her body stiffen that she was well aware of who I was.

With such animosity between them, what had brought her here? For whatever reason, I was as angry with her as I was with everyone else.

She’d lived while her sister had died, no doubt suffering when she did. I couldn’t think about the ugliness of it or I’d be tempted to order my men to set off explosions at every enemy location throughout the city. Her presence troubled me more than it should, although in seeking answers, I couldn’t rule out talking to anyone.

Whether she liked it or not.