Alisa sat back, studying him. “So it’s true. You only got me here to deliver me to a bunch of strangers.”
Marc’s expression shuttered, and in that moment, I knew it to be confirmation. He glanced around the café again, then leaned in closer.
“Listen to me very carefully,” he threatened in a whisper. “You need to come home with me right this instant. You have no idea the people you’re dealing with, or what they’ll do if you don’t.”
“The people I’m dealing with?” Alisa repeated. “No, Papa. That’s your problem.”
“Don’t act insolent,” Marc snapped. “This isn’t a game, Alisa. There are forces at play here you can’t possibly understand.”
“Then help me understand,” she pleaded. “Please, Papa. Don’t do this to me. I beg you!”
His face softened slightly, and for a moment, I thought he might actually tell her the truth and accept the help she offered to find a way out of this mess. But then his eyes hardened again.
“Come home with me now,” he repeated. “Or I can’t guarantee your safety.”
“Is that a threat?” Alisa asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“It’s a reality,” Marc replied. “You think your new husband can protect you? He has no idea what he’s up against. When they find out he’s taken what belongs to them—”
That was enough. I was done hearing Marc threaten Alisa and scare her the way he did. He had, right in front of my eyes, failed spectacularly as a father, and I was done giving him his chance.
I stood up and made my way to their table. Marc didn’t notice me until I was standing right beside them, for he was too busy intimidating his only daughter.
“Hello, Marc,” I asked, sliding into the seat next to Alisa.
Marc’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in recognition. “Dante Lebedev. What the hell are you doing here? How dare you kidnap my daughter?”
“Marc,” I said pleasantly and placed a protective arm around Alisa’s shoulders. “I understand how this looks, but I promise I didn’t kidnap her.”
“Don’t you dare lie to me!” Marc’s face turned red with anger. “You’ve been keeping her and—”
“What else is a husband to do?” I cut him a charming smile. “A man and wife do live together now, don’t they?”
Marc’s eyes blasted open. “Man and… wife?”
“Yes.” I smiled and pulled Alisa closer, showing Marc my teeth. “We’ve been married a couple of months now. You see, back in the day, Alisa and I were a thing. Must have skipped your attention, but when I saw her that day, I had to get her out of there and fix what I’d done wrong.”
This was a part of the game, the ploy, or so I thought. But as I said the words, a sense of knowing settled like peace in my bones. As if, at last, I wasn’t putting on an act. Beside me, I felt Alisa stiffen momentarily, before relaxing again.
Had I, in some way, admitted something she’d wondered too?
But before I could dwell on that, Marc leaned forward. “You have no idea what a mistake you’ve made! Put an end to this madness now.”
“On the contrary,” I replied, keeping my voice light even as I felt rage building in my chest. “I know exactly what I’ve done. I married your daughter and kept her safe.”
Marc’s face flushed with anger. “I’m taking Alisa home today!”
I leaned forward, dropping the pleasant facade. “You are not taking her anywhere because then, I’ll be chargingyouwith kidnapping. My wife stays with me.”
“I’m the god damn federal prosecutor,” he roared, then lowered his voice. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? You think because you’re a Lebedev, you’re untouchable? There are bigger fish than you, boy.
“Is that right?” I asked. “I think you underestimate me.”
“You have no idea who you’re dealing with,” Marco’s voice shook with rage. “When Arko finds out—”
He caught himself, but it was too late. The name hung in the air between us, and I felt ice water replace the blood in my veins.
Arko Pavlov was the leader of the Pavlov Bratva. He belonged to one of the most ruthless and connected crime families on the East Coast. His reputation made even my coldest cousins look like choirboys in comparison.
