Legacy

Legacy
Tatiana

I needed a couple of days to get my mind out of a fog after I killed Oleg.

Angelo and the others don’t think it’s safe for me to leave yet while Yakov is still out there, so we stay at the Saints’ safehouse. I was hoping to reclaim my life, but maybe taking these days to rest first is what I actually need.

I don’t think I’m in the right frame of mind to make important decisions; especially important decisions that can affect the rest of my life.

I feel so indecisive. Moving back to Russia would mean leaving Angelo behind, and that is out of the question for me.

But up until a couple of months ago, Russia was the only place I ever called home. If I stay in the United States, what will I do here? Do I really want to be part of the mafia world? 

I don’t think Angelo will ever give up on that part of himself, and I wouldn’t dare ask him to for me. But do I want to be involved? Would I be ready to let go of him to leave it all behind? Or am I willing to accept the mafia life as part of him? 

It is something I was born into after all. 

My mind is swirling with possibilities, but no matter how hard I think about it, I can’t come to a decision.

As if sensing my despair, when the night falls, Angelo comes to me while I’m sipping tea and reading a book in the living room. 

“Hey, I hate to bother you, but there’s someone here who wants to speak with you,” he informs me.

I frown. “Who?”

He steps aside, revealing Guskov, who seems to have recovered from the fight. Most of us have recovered, physically. The wounds and injuries we sustained are healing. 

The dark circles under Guskov's eyes are gone, and he even has a smile on his face as he steps into the room, nodding at me.

“Good evening, Miss. Good to see you in one piece,” he tells me, and I gesture for him to take a seat on the couch in front of me.

Angelo doesn’t join us, but he also doesn’t leave, leaning against the Bannister and crossing his arms in front of his chest while he watches us in silence.

“I can say the same about you,” I reply, offering him a small smile and setting my book aside. “To what do I owe the honor of your visit? Is everything okay?”

Guskov proved to be a great ally during the mission, and he was also an old friend to both of my fathers, so I feel a special connection to him.  

“Well, I came to check on you, but also…” He adjusts himself on the couch, shifting uncomfortably before clearing his throat. “I have something important to talk to you about.” His voice is firm and serious, and I brace myself for what he’s about to say. I have no idea what could be so important. Could it be related to Yakov? But if it is, he wouldn’t talk directly to me. He would get the others involved too. Right?

“Okay…” I trail off, encouraging him to continue. I straighten my posture, swallowing hard and glancing at Angelo, who nods at me in reassurance.

If I were to guess, he already knows what this is about and is giving me the space to handle it by myself, which I appreciate.

“As you know, the Romina Empire suffered great loss during the mission, and many were not actually on Oleg’s side. Now that he’s dead, and his son is missing, we had a meeting to discuss and vote for the future, and the consensus is that it’s yours if you want it.”

My ears ring, and I stare at Guskov, numb and unsure I heard him correctly. I couldn't have. I clench my teeth so I don’t drop my jaw and show how shocked I am as I replay his words in my head.

They voted for me to take over?

“It is rightfully yours anyway, since it is Petr’s legacy,” he adds as if I need some incentive to consider his offer. “Although it was stained for decades by Oleg.”

He is not wrong about that, but what do I know about leading a mob?

I glance at Angelo, who is still watching me carefully, his dark eyes stuck on me as he awaits my answer.

“What about Yakov?” I manage to mutter.

Guskov rolls his eyes, leans back against the couch and crosses his legs. His tone and body language are nonchalant. 

“Even if it was his right to inherit it, the motherfucker doesn’t have what it takes to lead us,” he explains with a shrug. “He’d get us all killed before we could even understand what hit us. He’s just a playboy who got used to having everything he wanted because his father made him believe he could.”

I can’t argue with that. Yakov is nothing but a repulsive, cruel, spoiled brat. 

“But do you think I have what it takes? I know nothing about leading an empire,” I argue, not confident enough to accept such responsibility. 

“You are your father’s daughter. Both Petr and Lev. I don’t doubt your ability to lead us the way they did.” I shake the tears that pool in my eyes with his words. “I know this is a lot to take in and consider, but I want you to know that you won’t be alone. I will help you get through everything, and you have more allies than you can possibly imagine. Most of us are still loyal to Petr. Even after all these years,” he states firmly, holding my gaze.

There’s so much honesty and intensity in them that I don’t think he is lying. I can feel his loyalty, and he has proven it to me by agreeing to work with the Saints to take Oleg down and for reaching out to me, even after Lev was murdered.

Silence surrounds us as I consider what to do.

After a moment, Angelo clears his throat by the door, speaking for the first time in a while.

“I know this is your decision to make, and I don’t want to influence you, but I just feel like I should tell you that I’ll stand by whatever you choose. You just need to think about all that it entails. And if this is really what you want, I’ll be by your side, no matter what.”

I nod at him and stare at my lap, fidgeting nervously.  

Would my father want this for me? If I had had the chance to live with him and be raised by him, would he teach me how to rule his empire one day? Would he want that for me? Would he support me if I wanted it?

I would be lying if I said that I know all that it entails, but I also can’t pretend it doesn’t feel somewhat…right. Of course, I have a lot to learn, especially how to toughen up, because this is no easy thing. I’ve grown up seeing Lev work for the Rominas, even from afar, and I heard stories too. I also got to see the Saints in action, and even got in the middle of it several times.

Is this the life I want?

It won’t be peaceful, that’s for sure. 

Will I be able to build a true relationship with Angelo if I accept it? 

And if I don’t, what is it going to be like for us? He won’t back away from the Saints. They are his family, and I would never ask him to turn his back on them to stay with me.

But we also never got the chance to discuss any of this. He just said he’ll support me no matter what.

But will he, really?