The Devil's Crown-Part One: All The Pretty Things Trilogy Spin-Off

by Monica James

  My wet clothes are strewn on the grass by the silver bucket, and Lia’s chair is knocked over. Lia is nowhere to be seen.

  Reaching for a knife out of the top drawer, I open the back door and scope out my surroundings, but it’s too late.

  “You gonna cook us dinner, старик? Drop it.”

  The unmistakable feel of the cool metal pressed to my temple has me doing what this lowlife says. The knife clatters to the ground while I search the yard for Lia.

  “Where is she?” I order calmly, turning my cheek to look at who holds me at gunpoint. I don’t recognize him, but he’s barely out of diapers. How dare he hold a gun to my head?

  “Why? She your girlfriend?” he mocks in broken English, laughing.

  “Take whatever you want. Just don’t hurt the woman.”

  He scoffs, moving the gun from my temple to the middle of my forehead. “I don’t need your permission. We will take what we want, and what we want is you.”

  I am unmoved by his threat. “Get in line, мудак. Hurry up then.”

  I’ll go anywhere with them and figure it out once I am away from here and Lia. However, when I hear a muffled scream, it’s evident I’m too late.

  Lia is dragged out from behind the house by a boy who holds her against his chest, forearm pressed over her throat. She struggles against him, but he’s young and strong. Just who are these assholes?

  “Are you okay?” I ask her in Russian, thankful I can’t see any cuts or bruises on her. “I’m so sorry to drag you into this. Forgive me.” The sight breaks my heart.

  “There is nothing to forgive, my son.” She is furious these brats are here, disrespecting her in her own home.

  “Let her go,” I demand, eyeing the asshole who has a tight hold on her.

  He laughs, tightening the hold around her neck.

  “We have no interest in her,” reveals the boy with the gun trained on me. “But you, we have a lot of interest in you.”

  “Stop talking then, идиот. Let’s go.”

  The boy doesn’t appreciate me belittling him, and as punishment, he pistol whips me.

  Grunting under the impact, I rein in my temper because I can kill him later. Now, I just need them away from Lia. But Lia must have clued onto what happened because before I can stop her, she manages to twist out of her attacker’s hold and stomps on his foot.

  He whines, jumping on the spot, while she blindly races away from him.

  “Turn around and run left!” I scream out to her, but it’s too late.

  When the boy next to me aims his gun at her, I shoulder him with force, and he tumbles to the ground. A wave of relief falls over me, but it’s short-lived when a deafening boom shatters the world around me.

  Frantically scanning the yard, what I see has me rubbing my eyes in disbelief. But no matter how many times I look away, the image of Lia’s twisted, bloody body will forever be burned in my mind. With fire burning through my veins, I pick up the discarded gun near me, charge over to the stunned мудак who shot Lia and shoot him straight between the eyes.

  He drops to the grass with a thud, dead even before he hit the ground. But it’s not enough. I kick him in the ribs, in the stomach, wanting to expunge his measly existence from this universe.

  “мудак!” I cry over and over, wishing to resuscitate him so I can kill him again.

  “You motherfucker!” screams the boy who still stands. “You killed my brother!”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll be joining him soon enough.” Blinded by my rage, I’m switched off to everything around me, which would have cost me my life if not for someone who just saved my ass.

  Another gunshot rings out, echoing in the usual peaceful neighborhood. Frantically turning over my shoulder, I see the boy drop to his knees as he clutches the gaping wound across his chest. It does nothing to ease the need to rip someone apart.

  Spinning to look at who inflicted the gunshot wound, I do a double take, certain I’m hallucinating. But I’m not. Standing feet away is Renata, holding a smoking gun in her trembling hand.

  When we lock eyes, she seems to realize what she’s just done and tears well in her eyes. “He was going to hurt you,” she says numbly, as if trying to justify her actions.

  But there is no need. She did the right thing.

  “Yes, малышка, he was. It’s okay. Shh.” I walk over to her slowly, not wanting to startle her more than she already is. I extend my hand, a silent command she give me the gun. On closer inspection, I see that it’s my gun.

  She gives it to me, eyes glued to the carnage before her.

  Tucking it into the small of my back, I walk back over to the boy who is minutes away from bleeding out. “Who sent you?” I order, peering down at him as he gasps for air.

  When he doesn’t reply, I stomp down onto his kneecap, breaking it.

  His howls feed my depravity, and I drop to a squat. “I can end this for you. Just tell me—”

  The offer to end his suffering is enough to loosen his tongue. “No one sent us,” he pants, eyes wide. “We live down the road, and we heard you come here. Word on the street is that Serg has a quarter-million-dollar bounty on your head.”

  Scoffing at their stupidity, I am insulted my half-brother thinks so little of me with that stingy reward.

  This fool and his brother are or, rather, were wannabe gangsters. Every kid knows who Serg is, just as they knew who I was. He is renown among the younger generation; their king who sells his product to anyone as long as they have enough money.

  He is an amateur and utterly disgusting. And now two kids are paying with their lives for worshiping a bogus god.

  “We were going to take you to Serg. We don’t know where he is, but we were going to write a letter—”

  I don’t allow him to finish. I’ve heard more than enough. This waste of space is breathing air when Lia lies dead.

  Retrieving the gun from the small of my back, I place the muzzle to his temple, and just as he begs for mercy, I pull the trigger. He and his brother are where they belong—in hell, where my kin will soon join them.

  Covered in blood and matter, I come to a slow stand, spitting on the boy I just killed. His vigilante, naïve ways killed an innocent person who didn’t deserve to die. Raising my bloodied fists to the heavens, I scream in downright fury, wanting to kill the God Sister Arabella has so much faith in.

  It doesn’t make me feel any better, but nothing ever will.

  Turning around, I walk toward Lia’s body with nothing but regret and guilt in my heart. Another innocent person is dead because of me. Death and pain are all that follow me.

  I’m mildly aware of Renata staring at me, but I can’t deal with her now. Now, I have to bury the dead.

  “Wait for me in the SUV,” I order, exhausted beyond words. She knows better than to fight me this time.

  “Wh-what happens now?”

  “Now”—I sigh, eyes never leaving Lia—“we leave. We can’t stay here any longer.”

  If these two idiots were able to find me, then it’s only a matter of time before someone else does. Serg won’t need to hunt me down when he has his own personal flock more than happy to do the job for him. And with that sort of money as bounty, it’ll only encourage more and more budding vigilantes.

  It was fun while it lasted, but playtime is over.

  Renata doesn’t say a word.

  She watched nervously as I packed my belongings into two bags. I ordered her to wait in the SUV, which thankfully didn’t end in an argument as I stuffed my money, passport, and other possessions from the safe into the duffel.

  Once I was packed, I locked the door on my once home, unsure when I would return.

  I am once again on the run with no fixed address. And like last time, there is only one place I can go.

  When the orphanage comes into view, Renata shuffles in her seat. I understand she’s apprehensive about this. Her life is once again about to change. But I couldn’t leave her behind. Not only does sh
e have the information I need, but she also saved my ass back at Lia’s.

  She said she followed me. She found an old bike I’d forgotten about behind my house and rode around until she saw my vehicle. Only one road led from my house, so it didn’t take her long. She found my gun in the dresser.

  She is resilient and smart. Normally, I would punish her for disobeying me, but if she hadn’t defied me, then I would probably be dead.

  Lia is buried under her favorite tree. I did the best I could, but it will never be enough. The two assholes, I cut into pieces and fed them to Lia’s pigs. They may as well be useful for something. Pavel will retrieve their car come nightfall.

  Renata watched me do all this, which is why she hasn’t said a word. She’s seen who I really am. And no surprise, the sight isn’t a pretty one.

  I park my SUV around the back, thankful it’s away from prying eyes. The walls are high, and no one is able to get back here unless they have the code to the gate. Nevertheless, I ensure the coast is clear before I gesture for Renata to exit the car.

  I grab our things and wait for her to take everything in. She takes in every corner, working her bottom lip nervously. She escaped one prison only to be locked in another. But it’s only temporary. Once she tells me where that meeting is to take place, she is free to go.

  Sister Yali greets us at the back door. She doesn’t waste a moment. “I’ll show the girl to her room. Mother Superior wishes to see you in her office.”

  Renata shakes her head, but I gently console her. “It’s okay. You’re safe here.”

  Sister Yali purses her lips. She doesn’t conceal her disapproval of me as she takes Renata’s bag. I hold on to mine however. I may have showered the blood off me, but she knows who I am. She knows what I did.

  Renata eventually follows Sister Yali while I make my way to Mother Superior’s office.

  I called her, asking for sanctuary once again. She didn’t ask questions and told me to come immediately. But I know I owe her some sort of explanation. I will not put this orphanage at risk. But I’m only here for a couple of weeks. As for Renata, I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to tell Mother Superior.

  I knock on her door even though it’s open. She peers up at me from her desk, gesturing for me to enter.

  She can smell the guilt all over me but doesn’t say a word. Taking a seat, I drop my bags by my feet and clasp my hands together between my splayed legs. “Thank you for granting me sanctuary. Again. It’s not for long. I—”

  But she waves me off. “You can stay for as long as you’d like.” She addresses me in Russian, which is never a good sign. “But how long can you live this life, Aleksei? I’m not naïve. I know something terrible must have happened for you to be back here.”

  Lowering my eyes, I can’t face her. I’m ashamed for coming here. “Yes, Mother Superior. Something so heinous occurred, I can’t even look at you.”

  “Did an innocent suffer?” she asks, not realizing the half of it.

  “Yes,” I reply softly, eyes still downcast.

  “Was it your fault?”

  After a pregnant pause, I answer. “Yes.”

  Silence.

  She knew I was wicked, but I don’t think she ever realized how much so.

  “Aleksei, I don’t believe you’d hurt an innocent with intent. They were hurt as an indirect result of you?”

  It doesn’t make a difference. It all leads to Lia being dead.

  “It doesn’t matter. I may not have ended her li—”

  “Of course, it matters,” she interrupts. “You’re a good man.”

  I scoff because she has no idea what I’ve done. In my past, I’ve directly hurt many innocents. “Thank you, but I don’t want your praise. The girl, Renata. May she stay here too? It’s only for a couple of weeks. After then, I’ll ensure her safe passage back to America.”

  “Yes. She is welcome. As are you. Always.”

  Lifting my eyes, I bow in servitude. “Thank you, Mother Superior. We must ensure we keep doors and gates locked at all times. Security measures are imperative now more than ever. I’m sorry to drag you into my mess time and time again.”

  “You haven’t dragged me into anything. It’s my choice to have you here. Just as it was the first time I met you.”

  I remember the time well.

  I needed a place to put my dirty money into, and no one asks questions when that place is an orphanage. But after a while, after being here and meeting Mother Superior, it became more than that. I could relate to every child in here, and even after all the despicable things I’d done, I always held a small shred of my humanity because of this place.

  Mother Superior’s life is this orphanage. She rarely ventures outside of these walls. She doesn’t watch TV and only reads the paper occasionally. She doesn’t know who the real Aleksei Popov is in a world that is not hers. But in her world, even though I am flawed, she loves me, nonetheless.

  Coming to a stand, I pick up the duffel, my dirty money having no place in her home. “I will stay in the basement,” I say as I know there are no rooms free.

  She wants to argue because the basement is full of old furniture and supplies, but she knows it’s an argument she won’t win. “Renata may stay in Sister Julia’s room. She’s visiting her sick mother and won’t be back for a few weeks.”

  “Thank you again, Mother Superior.” Thanking her seems so mediocre in light of what she’s doing for me. But she doesn’t expect anything from me.

  Leaving her to her paperwork, I make my way to the basement. Renata is in good hands with Sister Yali. Besides, I need some time alone. Once I clear my head, I will find Irina and let her know I’ll be staying here for the next few weeks.

  I plan to spend as much time with her as possible, hoping the urge to hurt herself will disappear.

  Passing by reception to get the key for the basement, I tug on the front door twice, ensuring it’s locked. The security here is top-notch—it has to be because of the curious children—but I’m paranoid. Once I have the key, I make my way toward the back of the orphanage.

  It’s the oldest part of the building, and although it saw some renovations, most of the original foundation stands. The plan is once I get enough money together, I’ll knock it down and build more rooms for the kids. That isn’t too far off now, thanks to Santo.

  I have no idea how I’m going to pull this off, but I’ll wait until he calls with the information. I have enough shit to deal with at the moment.

  After I unlock the old iron door, I peer down the wooden spiral staircase. This basement encompasses every stereotype you can think of—dark, dank, and full of cobwebs. As I’m halfway down, I reach into my pocket for my cell and switch on the light.

  Once I descend the bottom step, I stop and take a look around my lodgings for the next couple of weeks as I switch on the lights. It’s quite a large space, which is why it’s filled with junk. Christmas decorations, boxes upon boxes of paperwork, old books, broken toys…this place is the junkyard where things go to die.

  Pushing aside a statue of the Virgin Mary, which is missing an arm, I walk to the far corner of the room where there is a single bed. There are boxes piled high on top of it, so dumping my bags onto the floor, I stack them onto a table close by.

  The bed has no linens or a pillow, but I’m sure I can find something down here as a substitute. Or maybe divine intervention is at play.

  “Hello? Alek? It’s me…Sister Arabella,” she adds in case I’ve forgotten her voice. But how could I forget something so angelic wrapped in pure sin.

  “Down here, Sister,” I call out to her, toeing my duffel under the bed.

  Her soft footsteps announce her arrival, but when she falters, it’s clear she’s seen the true state of this place. I turn to face her, admiring the graceful way she moves. It’s probably a good thing I’m down here as I would never pollute her beauty by luring her down to this dungeon.

  “Wow,” she says, looking around the basement. “You’r
e going to need a tetanus shot to stay down here.”

  “It’s fine,” I reply with a smile. “There’s even a bathroom down here.”

  She has a pillow and some linens pressed to her chest. When she notices me looking at it, she shakes her head as if remembering why she’s here.

  “Mother Superior asked me to bring these down to you. But I think I should have brought down some cleaning supplies instead.”

  Unable to stop my chuckle, I extend my hand. “Thank you. And it’s okay. I’ve slept in worse places. Trust me.”

  She doesn’t reply as she passes me the supplies.

  Dirt and god knows what else cover the mattress, so I swipe my hand over it, coughing when plumes of dust fill the air.

  “Oh no, Alek—”

  But I gently grip Sister Arabella’s wrist as she tries to stop me from making the bed.

  The moment we touch, my body responds how it usually does when she’s around. But after today, I don’t deserve any gratification, so I let her go.

  She seems disappointed by my action. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot,” she reveals. “I really am sorry for what I did.”

  She speaks of eavesdropping on my deepest, darkest secrets. But she has nothing to apologize for. I’ve done far worse.

  “You have nothing to be sorry for, Sister Arabella.”

  “Ella,” she says, while I arch a brow, confused.

  “Call me Ella,” she clarifies with a small smile.

  The name suits her perfectly, but for me to call her by her name feels too…personal. I’m trying to keep this as platonic as I can—especially since I’ll be sleeping under the same roof as her—but she is clearly extending an olive branch. It would be rude of me to refuse.

  “Okay then…Ella.”

  A timid smile spreads across those beautiful lips.

  “How long is your exchange here?”

  The question is innocent enough, but she suddenly seems nervous. It has me realizing I know nothing about her, which isn’t like me.

  “Mother Superior said I can stay for as long as I like.”

  “You don’t have anyone back in Savannah missing you?” I ask as I commence making the bed.