My hand shakes in anger as I read the veiled threat in the text. Fucking Cassio. The fucking nerve to declare an act of war like bombing my club, and then ask for negotiations just a few weeks later.
But I haven’t been able to catch the leak yet, and I’ve been through everyone’s fucking backgrounds, data, and history. If I don’t go, it’s likely that another one of my properties will be targeted before I solve the issue, and this time it might be one that’s more heavily populated. My entire Bratva is being fucked between a rock and a hard place.
I frown, texting my head of security to compile a team before checking the time once again. I have only forty minutes before the proposed meeting time. Andrei texts back immediately, making arrangements for the unfortunate confrontation.
There’s an unspoken rule in this world not to make a violent scene in a public place, so this meeting will likely only contain verbal warfare and crafted insults, but it’s always good to come prepared with a hit team in case things go... poorly.
Unfortunately, my girl will have to wait.
My body thrums with disappointment as I strap on my weapons.
Strollinginto the bright lobby of the Pacifica Hotel, I take care to wrap my features into an empty, cold expression, void of all the unease that fills me. The meeting is somewhat standard, and the bright, crowded building sets the perfect expectation for a cordial interaction. Still, despite knowing all of that, I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.
I try to focus on the calming weight of my guns. The little harness strapped to my calf, the knives hidden within. Like usual, taking methodical stock of my weaponry clears my mind. With Andrei hovering behind me, I walk up to the hostess at the hotel restaurant and ask for our reservation.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t have any reservations here under those names.”
I freeze, snapping my full attention to the nervous woman in front of me. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m positive. I just double-checked.”
I glance at my watch. 1:07 PM. A snake of apprehension curls around my spine, hissing in dismay. I look over to Andrei, who’s already on his phone. When his eyes meet mine, I just know I’m not going to like what he’s going to tell me.
“The men just did a sweep. Not a single one of them in sight. They aren’t here.”
“Well, if they had us comehere, then where the fuck arethey?” I growl under my breath, scaring the poor hostess into a rushed jog back to her booth.
And then my phone vibrates.
Cassandra
“You should really be using your turn signal, you know, they can pull you over for that shit,” I tease Ivan, earning a shake of his head and a soft tsk.
“I don’t need driving help from a 22-year-old. Besides, the cops wouldn’t dare pull us over in this city.” He curves down the road at a much higher speed than I would attempt, passing more cars than trees.
“If you say so,” I mutter, refocusing my attention on the study materials balanced in my lap.
“You should’ve seen Mikhail’s driving that night we came for you. I was half sure I’d die in that car.” He jokes, the lightest smile playing across his usually solemn face.
I look up at him, remembering the way he raced into my house, inserting himself into my own dangerous situation without a care for himself.
“Thank you, by the way. For helping me out that night. I owe you.”
“Nah, you don’t owe me anything. As far as I’m concerned, Mikhail has claimed you, and that makes you family.”
His words startle me for a moment. The wordfamilyhas always had such a negative connotation in my life. Growing up, “family” was an obligation that I was never in control of. Something that forcibly coerced me and tied me down. But the way Ivan uses it, like a chosen honor, makes my eyes water in alarm.
“The Bratva has been a lot of things, Cassandra. And I am sure it will be many more things after we’re gone. But for Mikhail, for me…it always comes back to that choice. It doesn’t matter who you came from. Onlyyouget to decide who your community is, and once we claim you, we will always have your back.”
The words hit me deep. What he’s so freely offering me right now is something I’ve never had. Something I never thought Icouldhave. The idea that somehow, I stumbled across it in a filthy alley on 5thin the dead of night makes me feel like every piece was worth it.
“You’re my family too, Ivan,” I say softly. He spares me a glance, picking up on the emotion painted in my features, and gives me a small nod.
We’re silent for a few minutes, peacefully enjoying the drive, when I notice Ivan’s entire posture shift in his seat. I look around for the source, but nothing seems out of sorts.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him.
He checks the side mirror a few more times before responding.
