Page 84 of Intolerable Bishop

Both my boys are home. Are you here for the night? We shook our heads, and her face fell. Okay.

Why was Lawrence here?

Mom looked away. Business stuff. It’s fine. Nothing that either of you needs to worry about.

It looked intense for it to be nothing to worry about, and why was Dad not here if it had to do with business?

She shrugged. You know Lawrence, he doesn’t do anything without trying to throw his weight around. I promise it will be fine.

How are we going to take over one day when you and Dad keep us in the dark all the time?

Mom licked her lips as we sat down across from her. Reaching out, she picked up the pitcher of fruity water she loved to drink and poured herself a glass. She took a long sip before setting the glass aside.

I can’t believe how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was bringing the two of you home from the hospital, and now here you are, all grown up. Mom blinked away tears as she signed. I’m sorry, but some things I still can’t discuss.

I wanted to argue about Lawrence and our right to know, but we had another mystery to solve tonight. Fine, I’ll drop it, but we do have a question for you. Please don’t lie to us. As I signed the last word, my mom looked at me and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. I glanced at Blake.

We found something while we were in Canada. Something that belongs to you. Pulling out my phone, I opened it to the photos folder and the image I’d taken of her old company logo. She’d revamped it about five years ago to the one that everyone now knew, but there was still a framed version of this one in our living room. A picture of a famous politician and the home she’d designed for his family.

Mom swallowed as she looked at it. I knew my mom was going to force me to ask the questions. You built Ren’s house in Canada. This is one of your designs. I recognized some of your signature details almost from the moment I walked inside. I went looking for your symbol in the basement when everyone was asleep. Mom leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. You’re going to make me tell you what I think, aren’t you? When she didn’t move, I continued. Alright, I’ll tell you. You knew Ren’s mother. Which means you’ve known all along that she is a Mikhailov.

Mom stood from her desk and walked to the window that looked out to the front driveway. Leaning against the window frame, she chewed on a nail. I’d never seen her look so nervous before.

Blake stood and walked over to her, laying a hand on her shoulder before he began to sign. Mom, tell us the truth. What do you know? Do you know who is after Ren? We were shot at and almost died. Ren almost died. If we are going to keep her safe, and if you want to keep us safe, then we have to know who we’re facing.

Mom ran her hands through her hair and made a frustrated sound before slapping her hand on the wall.

None of you should be having to deal with any of this. You should be studying, out on dates, and planning what you want to take in college. Gunfights, dealing drugs and laundering money, the threat of Lawrence, and all that he brings. I hate this for you boys. I hate it for all of you, including Ren.

I got up and went to stand beside Blake. Mom, who is after Ren?

She shrugged. I didn’t know Ren was who she was at first. Even last Thanksgiving, I had no idea. But I received a text after Ren’s attack that tipped me off to the truth of her identity.

Why didn’t you say anything?

It’s complicated. Mom sighed. I knew Yulianna. We met for the first time when we were young girls and then again at different celebrations all over the world. We became friends, but even among friends, secrets in this world run deep. The last time I’d seen Ren was when she was six weeks old. Yulianna sent me a picture and a note saying she would like to make me Ren’s guardian if anything ever happened to her.

Mom walked around me and grabbed a book from her shelf. She opened it and pulled out a photo. Baby Ren and her mother were smiling at the camera. Mom then passed us a small square of paper. I quickly read it over and handed it to Blake.

Ella

Meet Lilya Ren Ivankov. She is six weeks and two days old.

I would be honored if you agreed to be her godmother if something happened to me.

Please don’t say no. I’ll send the paperwork soon.

Yulianna

So, it’s true, Ren’s real name is Lilya. Wait…you’re her godmother? Mom shook her head.

No, the paperwork never came. We only spoke a handful of times after that letter, and she never mentioned it again, but yes, Ren’s name is Lilya.

Ivankov… that’s Christov? Is he Ren’s biological father? Mom shrugged at my question.

As far as I know, yes. When I saw Yulianna next, she was already in Canada. She called me and asked me to keep her whereabouts secret. She also needed a favor. She knew that I was an architect, and although new, she trusted me to design her home with extras. Ren would’ve been four. The project took longer than I expected, but Yulianna and Neil moved into the house two years later.

So, you did design all of the safety features like the gun racks and panic room? I knew it was true, but I still had to ask.