“They already know we're coming for them,” Valentin growls. “They made that clear when they went for my wife with that fucking spy.”
My stomach drops when I realize that this is my fault. Valentin went after the Zakharovs because of everything they’ve done to me, even if he won’t go into the full history. And now Leonid's hurt, and the brothers are at each other's throats.
“Wait,” I cut through their argument, feeling guilty as hell. “Valentin went after the Zakharovs because of me, and I feel like you shouldn’t be mad at him for it.”
“This isn't your fault, Gela,” Trifon says, his voice softening slightly. “Stay out of it.”
“No, but it is about me,” I insist. “Viktor Zakharov threatened me at the gala. He said...” I swallow hard, remembering his words.
“He threatened to burn me and break my bones if I continued staying with you all, the Yuris. And today, I found out my new client, Alex from SkyMark, is working for the Zakharovs. I overheard them talking.”
“You didn't tell us about the Gala part,” Iosif’s eyes widen when he looks at Valentin.
“I was getting to it,” Valentin mutters.
“Well, let her tell it,” Miron says, gesturing for me to continue.
I take a deep breath and tell them everything, from the attack in my office, the strange phone call, the threats at the gala, to me ending up locked in the bathroom today. As I speak, I see each brother look angrier and angrier.
“Look,” I sigh. “I don’t know what they’re planning, but I’m pretty sure they’re planning something. They won’t go through this much trouble setting up a fake client for nothing, right?”
“Considering what you just told me, it’s clear to me now that they’ve definitely got something up their sleeves.” Trifon gives me a nod.
I sigh with relief. “So you understand why Valentin got mad?” I try to defend Valentin.
I see a look of surprise on Valentin’s face, and my heart clenches with regret. Have I given him such little respect that he thought I wouldn’t stand up for him when he’s clearly done nothing wrong?
“I understand why Valentin got mad.” Trifon shakes his head. “But he didn’t have to go guns blazing in there, without a plan.”
“Alright then.” Valentin sounds annoyed. “Make a plan then, because I swear if those bastards come near Gela again, I’ll shoot their fucking heads off.”
“Valentin,” Trifon raises his voice. “Calm down. Let me think.”
“We’ve thought long enough, brother,” Valentin fights back. “We need to take action now.”
Soon, all the brothers are arguing, throwing off ideas. Some demand caution, others want war. I watch this whole thing unfold, feeling like the cause of the controversy in the first place, and a deep, surging need rises in me to help them fix it.
My brain begins scrambling, in circles, over and over, until I realize there’s only one thing to do.
“Gentlemen!” I shout to be heard over the voices, but no one hears me.
“Guys?”
“Listen up, WILL YOU?”
That makes them all stop and stare.
I smile at them. “I know how we can find out what they might be planning.”
“What do you mean?” Trifon asks cautiously.
“I mean, Alex doesn't know that I know he's working for the Zakharovs,” I explain, my heart racing at my own boldness. “I could keep meeting with him, feed him fake information, maybe even find out what they're planning.”
“You aren’t going ten feet near him,” Valentin says immediately.
“Hear me out, please,” I press on. “They clearly want something from me. Information, access to you, a cut from my income, I don't really know. But if I play along, we might find out what they're after before they make their move.”
“It's too dangerous,” Valentin insists.
