Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 465(@200wpm)___ 372(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Popov has the nerve to chuckle on the phone. “Go. Get your family out of there.”
“We’ll talk about reparations and what I owe you.”
Popov clears his throat. “Oh, we will.”
Polina’s brother Nikko smirks as a car pulls up to the curb.
“This is ours, sir,” one of Popov’s men explains. “This way, please.”
“Semyon, Rodion, you come with me to evacuate the others.” I turn to Mikhail Romanov. “Is your mother here in Moscow?”
“Yes. I’ll have her brought to your home.”
“You know where it is?”
Mikhail’s lips hint at smiling. “Kopolov, within the past twenty-four hours, you’ve become my most intimate acquaintance.”
Jesus. Of course. I’d expect nothing less.
The evacuation is seamless. Irma bitches and moans and, thankfully, doesn’t know about her son’s betrayal and the brutal punishment that awaits him. I take Matvei aside. I feel for the man. “I’m sorry,” I tell him. “But you know what has to happen.”
Matvei’s eyes blaze into mine. “My allegiance is with you. His betrayal cuts deeper than death. All I ask is that it not be me who carries out the execution.”
I nod. “Keep your mother under control, and I’ll grant you that.”
I fill Grandfather in briefly. When I’m done, he puts a heavy hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done well, son. Keep forging forward. You know what has to happen.” His voice doesn’t waver. “You know what you want. Call Vadka and bring him in.”
Grandfather knows that while I’ve held the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, my best friend has been my rock. I swallow and nod. I’m ready for all of this to be over.
I text Vadka.
Need you back at the house. I’ll fill you in before you get there.
His response comes swiftly
See you soon, brother.
When my family’s been evacuated, everyone on the way back to the house, I get into the car Popov provides, Semyon and Rodion with me.
Rodion fumes and rages the entire way. I let him. It’s almost cathartic.
“Of all the fucking ways to betray us. Jesus, Rafail, I hope to god you let me take a turn.”
I lean back in my seat and blow out a breath. “Yeah. We all will.”
“How long has he been working with Soloto? Do we have any idea?”
I shake my head. “I don’t know.”
I should be more concerned with the betrayal. I should be planning Gleb’s execution and how I’ll make an example of him to every other man of the Kopolov Bratva who’s pledged allegiance to my family. But all I can think about is… Polina. She isn’t technically mine, and I know that. But I’ve fallen deeply, madly in love with the woman, and I meant what I said. I’ll fight the Romanovs if I have to. I’ll fight them to the death.
It isn’t just about control anymore. My need for her transcends that.
“I lied to her,” I tell Semyon, shaking my head. “I had her believe we’d been married.”
“And it was the only lie you told her.” He stares at me, his eyes hard. “You did what you thought was right. You believed her to be someone else, someone who betrayed your family and threatened our safety. You did believe she belonged to you, by all intents and purposes, Rafail.”
I nod and blow out a breath. I did, I know, but will she see it that way?
“I’d have done the same,” Rodion says. “You know I would. Take her as mine. Teach her who’s the man of the house. Tied her to my bed and—”
“Enough.”
Rodion’s eyes dance as he shuts up. He still means every word.
Good. I raised him right.
“What’s your plan?” Semyon asks as we pull up to the house.
I blow out a breath and straighten my shoulders. “Tell the truth. Be as transparent as I possibly can. Fight to work with the Romanovs so we can forge a partnership that benefits us both.” I lower my voice. “But I meant what I said about not letting her go without a fight.”
Semyon straightens. “Damn right.”
Rodion pats his holster. “We fight with you.”
A car pulls up as we do, and in short time, a regal but older woman with silver hair pinned in a bun, dressed in slim-fitting jeans and a pale-pink sweater, exits the car.
It’s the woman I saw the first time I laid eyes on Polina.
I extend my hand to her. “Rafail Kopolov. Welcome to my home, Mrs. Romanova.”
She takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “Ekaterina Romanova.” She sighs, and her eyes grow sad. “I believe I owe you all an explanation.”
Chapter 30
POLINA
Little Zoya does her best to bring ease to the tension in the room. “May I bring some tea and refreshments?” she asks Rafail, who begrudgingly allows her with a nod. She’s at home in the kitchen and wants to play the part of hostess.
He has his work cut out for him, and I know this. We also have unresolved conflict we need to deal with. Still, I don’t know what to do first. I look around the room, half-bewildered, as Rafail issues commands and makes calls as my brothers’ cars pull up to the curb.