He jerks his chin toward Teresa. “She deserves to know the truth.”
“She deserves better than a coward who drags her into his mess,” I retort, my voice steady and cold. I glance at her, still pale from whatever sent her to the bathroom. My protective heat flares, the kind I can’t control when it comes to her.
Her gaze drops to her brother’s bound wrists. “Vlad. Take off the cuffs. Please.”
I study her for a long moment. Jack’s a shithead, a liability, but he’s still her blood, and she’s not ready to watch him break in front of me. Finally, I nod to Dmitri. The cuffs click open.
Jack stands, rubbing his wrists, and glares at me.
“Listen carefully,” I tell him. “If you try any bullshit, you’re dead on the spot. I’ve killed men for far less than the accusation you just made.”
His throat bobs. He believes me.
“Jack.” Teresa’s voice cracks on his name. “Tell him you’re sorry. Tell him you’ll stay away from Volkov and whatever broker you’re dealing with.”
Jack shifts from foot to foot. “Look, man?—”
“Don’t call me ‘man.’” I step closer. The idiot tries to hold my gaze but fails after three seconds, pupils darting sideways like a cornered rat. “You brought armed freelancers to a gala. You let them touch her. That alone should buy you a toe tag.”
Jack’s bravado evaporates. “I didn’t know those guys! I swear!”
Dmitri’s laugh is short, amused. “You’re telling us it was just a coincidence that those thugs were waiting outside?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you!”
Teresa’s hand finds my sleeve. “Vlad, please. He’s my only family.”
My only family.Funny how three words can rewire strategy. I glance down at her, those wide brown eyes shining desperation back at me.
I exhale slowly and lift my chin toward Dmitri. “Fine. We keep eyes on him from now on.”
Dmitri pockets the cuffs, expression professionally blank, but I know he’s already arranging contingency plans in his head.
Teresa’s shoulders sag, relief and latent exhaustion overtaking her. She touches her brother’s cheek, whispering something I can’t hear. Jack just nods, guilt and fear flushing his face.
I step into his personal space again and drop my voice. “You stay away from her unless she invites you. You stay clear of Volkov’s orbit. And if any more freelancers try to put hands on her, I will not offer leniency twice. Understood?”
Jack’s eyes flash again. “They weren’t?—”
“Understood?” The word explodes from me in a deep bellow.
“Understood.”
I look past him out the window. “Leave. Now.”
He takes one last look at Teresa, then bolts.
Teresa turns to me. She’s still pale, but her undying strength sparks behind the fatigue. “Thank you.” Her voice is small, but the gratitude rings genuine. “I know he’s a mess but...” She shrugs.
“But he’s your mess,” I finish. “I understand loyalty. Come. This place makes me sick.”
The three of us walk toward the SUV. Frost has already settled on the windshield. Dmitri starts the engine, heat roaring. Inside, warmth wraps around us while Teresa buckles in beside me. She holds an envelope pressed to her lap as if it might jump up and bite someone.
“We’ll have our tech team audit those photographs,” I say. “Metadata, chain of custody. If anything matches flight-records or bank transfers, I’ll show you.”
She exhales sharply but doesn’t say a word. Does she still trust me?
Dmitri makes a left out of the lot, tires crunching the icy snow. Newark’s rail yards blur past, sodium lamps turning snowdrifts a vivid orange color. Teresa leans her head back and closes her eyes. I watch her breathe in and out, slow, measured breaths.
