Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“That’s the story they’re going with,” Dad says, nodding, “but we both know it’s crap. Do you think the Sokolovs …”
“I doubt it, Dad, honestly. They seemed like brothers trying to take care of their sister to me, but it was only a short meeting.”
“I’ve never known a better judge of character than you.”
“It makes no tactical sense, either. Why risk hurting their sister?”
“So what are you thinking?” he asks, gesturing down the corridor.
“The rival Bratva is the obvious choice. They must’ve pretended to back off. Then, when they realized that the Sokolov brothers were going to be on the East Coast, maybe they saw their chance.”
Dad nods as he drops onto one of the armchairs in the living room. “I’ve been thinking the same. I’ve put some feelers out. Nothing to do in the meantime but wait for our detectives to do their work.”
“If some bastards have risked Ania’s life,” I say as I curl my hand into a tight fist, “it’s a serious lapse in judgment, Dad.”
He looks at me closely, making me wonder if this is how I make other people feel when I look at them. There’s a definite sense of discomfort being probed this closely. I think he knows there’s more going on, but he decides to let it drop.
“If it’s another Bratva, we may be forced to work with the Sokolovs.”
“Hmm.”
“Word on the channels is that Dimitri Sokolov only agreed to serve under his father because he forced Konstantin to stop human trafficking.”
“He should’ve put a bullet in his head.”
“His own father?” Dad says, frowning.
I smirk. “Don’t worry. You’re safe.”
But it’s false confidence, and we both know it. Dad leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “This wasn’t how I imagined this going.”
“We underestimated the Sokolovs,” I tell him.
Dad looks at me sharply. That’s the thing with people like my father. They’re not used to people challenging them. That’s why he needs me around, to keep him humble. “You’re right.”
“It doesn’t matter now. What’s happened has happened. All we can do is keep pushing forward.”
“This new optimistic side of yours is catching me off guard, I must admit.”
“Optimistic, me?” I force out a laugh. “Let me know when the detectives discover the source of the car bomb. If it’s this rival Bratva, let’s hope they have no rules about women and children. Let’s hope they’re not morally gray and downright evil.”
“Why?” Dad says.
“Because then I can do any damn thing I want to the pricks, and I don’t have to feel bad about it.”
CHAPTER 20
ANIA
The doctor gives me some medication and sleeping pills. At first, I think I’m going to be too filled with adrenaline for the pills to work, but then it’s like the sheets are swallowing me. I fall into a studio of light with ballet shoes fitting snugly, dancing around as a little girl laughs. I try to turn toward the laughter, but no matter how much I spin, I can’t see the girl. I can only hear her.
As soon as I whisper, “Hello,” I wake, covered in sweat, my heart pounding hard.
A surprisingly soft voice comes from beside me. “It’s okay.”
I turn slowly, feeling sluggish. Aiden sits on a chair next to the bed, a glass of water in his hand.
“Here …” He leans forward, bringing the glass to my lips and tipping it softly. “Slowly.”
I slowly sip, letting the cool water filter down my throat. He places the glass down.
“When you’re ready, you can shower and have something light to eat. How are you feeling?”
I force myself to sit up. “Tired, but not hurt. My ears have stopped ringing.”
“That’s a good sign.”
“Do you know anything yet?” I ask.
Aiden shakes his head. “You don’t need to worry about—” Then he stops, perhaps reading my expression. “No, you deserve to know. The Kozlovs are a relatively small Bratva on the East Coast. They’re the ones your brothers liaised with to rescue you. It was a mistake. Apparently, the Kozlovs see this as a chance to make a name for themselves.”
“So now what?” I ask as the sleepiness and the dream slowly leave me.
“Now, we make them regret their mistake,” he snarls. “Now, we teach them a lesson.”
“Wait, who’s we?”
“Well …” A smirk touches his lips, but then he gets rid of it as though he’s guilty. “Your brothers aren’t exactly happy about what happened, either.”
That pierces the haze I’ve fallen into. I lean forward slightly, letting a smile touch my lips. I swear this is the most magical part about whatever’s happening here if anything is happening. It’s the fact that, no matter what, we can smile. Somehow. “You’re working with my brothers?”
“Is this the part where you say I told you so?” he mutters.
“Well, do you still think they’re bad people?”
“I don’t know enough about them,” he replies. “When I met them earlier, my instincts told me they were two men who cared about their little sister. Since then, their actions have proven that. They’ve moved more of their men into the city. They’re ready to go to war for you.”