“Your brothers are here,” Lev murmured, “They’ve been trying to speak with you, but…”
“Thank you,” I whisper, “screaming and hitting them would be a terrible reunion moment.”
“Oh, you did hit me,” said Ilia, resting his arms on the back of the couch. “I forgive you.”
“Bozhe moy, oh, my god! I’m sorry,” I said, hugging him with one arm. It’s awkward, but I’m not letting go of Lucca’s hand.
“Tati…” Roman is next, kissing me on the cheek. “You were thesniper?”His tone is disbelieving.
“She was,” came a weak voice. “She took down eight guards, three through a solid stone wall before they found her position. They set up a rocket launcher and she still wouldn’t leave until she took down the last guard so we could get through the gates. She barely escaped being blown to hell.”
Lucca’s eyes are open, and he’s smiling for me. “Oh, I was so scared,” I whispered, kissing him frantically, “you were so pale.”
“I heard you,” he said. “Keep holding my hand.”
I’m crying, Mariya’s crying, Kon looks a little misty and Meiying looks disgusted with all of us.
“Moya sestra, my sister, you are a warrior!” Ilia says, hugging me again.
“We have much to talk about,” Roman says, looking between me and Lucca. “But it can wait.”
“What the fuck! Did I miss all the fun?”
I look up to see a man who looks strikingly similar to Lucca. He’s leaning against the door of our room in an impressively well-equipped, private hospital near Geneva.
“Shh!” I whisper, hurrying over to him, “He’s sleeping.”
He raises a haughty brow. “And you are?”
“Tatiana Aslanova,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Are you Dario or Giovanni? I’m guessing Dario.”
“You would be correct,” he acknowledged. “Your brothers were the reason for that rather impressive rescue mission?”
“It was a three-pronged assault to take down the syndicates that wanted to destroy the Aslanov Bratva,” I clarified. I know I sound snotty as hell, but I’m soangryat Lucca’s brothers.
“Oh, I know,” he agreed pleasantly, “we were busy removing the Don of the Costa Mafia as part of your ‘three-pronged assault.’ Were you the one who executed his heir at the college?”
“Your brother handled that. And rather impressively, I might add. His knife-work is amazing,” I agreed. “He also planned the attack against the Rostova compound and took two bullets bringing down thePakhan.”
“Wait- Lucca planned it?” Dario frowns, “I thought Alexi Turgenev handled this mission.”
“You would be incorrect.” It’s Roman, who puts an arm around me. “Alexi and Maksim Morozov have done nothing but sing your brother’s praises. He put together the plan during the flight over from Ireland. I am Roman Aslanov,” he said, putting his hand out. “I see you’ve met my sister Tatiana already?”
“Dario Toscano, and yes. She’s been very protective of my brother,” he said, giving me a sassy grin.
“Lucca nearly died to save us,” Roman said gravely, “we owe him a great debt.”
“This is… amazing,” Dario said, shaking his head. “Wonderful news. My brother has spectacularly redeemed himself.”
“Speaking of that…” I took out my phone. “May I have your number?”
“Sure?” he said, typing it into my contacts.
“I’m sending you a file,” I said coldly, pulling up the app. “Lucca will not appreciate the fact that I gave this to you. But I think it’s important that you know who your brother truly is. After looking through my research, you might wonder why your Consigliere was so eager to throw Lucca under the bus.” Dario’s so carefree, even now, like disowning his brother wasn’t an issue. I hope the records I put together from Dante’s - that thieving prick - records shame him and Giovanni the way they deserve to be.
He looked down at his phone with a frown. “Are you talking about-”
“Not here,” I cut in, aware that my brother is watching this exchange, mystified, “take some time later when you can go over the information. I think Lucca deserves some groveling from both of you.”
