Chapter 4 - Sins of the Father
Nina held the photographs up with severely trembling hands.
She felt incredibly violated and entirely sick to her stomach.
"What the hell is this, Alex?" she demanded loudly.
Alex turned away from the steel door, his dark eyes instantly locking onto the scattered photos.
He sighed heavily and walked slowly toward the kitchen island.
"I was going to tell you eventually," he said, keeping his voice carefully neutral.
"You have been stalking me for three years?" she yelled, stepping backward.
"I have been protecting you for three years," he corrected her firmly.
He reached out to touch her arm, but she slapped his hand away.
"Do not touch me!" she warned.
"Nina, your late father was not a boring corporate accountant," Alex confessed quietly.
The mention of her father made her chest ache with sudden grief.
"My father died of a heart attack when I was in college," she argued.
"He was murdered," Alex stated bluntly.
Nina gasped, her knees nearly buckling beneath her.
"He was the chief money launderer for my family, and he stole from the Romanos to pay my father's debts," Alex explained.
"When the Romanos found out, they poisoned him and made it look like a natural heart attack."
Tears immediately flooded Nina's vision as the lies of her entire life crumbled around her.
"I hired you at my firm to keep you safely under my watch," he whispered softly.
"I never wanted you to get pulled into this violent life."
Nina backed into the counter, sobbing into her hands.
Everything she knew about her family, her career, and her best friend was a complete fabrication.
Before Alex could comfort her, a loud, rhythmic knock echoed from the heavy steel door.
Alex instantly drew his weapon and pushed Nina behind the kitchen island.
"Stay completely silent," he commanded.
He slowly approached the door and checked the digital security monitor.
His broad shoulders tensed in visible surprise.
He cautiously unlocked the heavy deadbolt and pulled the door open.
Nina peeked over the granite countertop, expecting to see a team of Russian assassins.
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Instead, she saw a familiar face standing in the doorway.
Sariah was holding a loaded gun pointed directly at Alex's chest.
