After a few minutes of slowing my breaths, using all of the strategies I’ve been practicing in my pathetic little closet for the past month, my heart starts to release its manic throb. Discomfort licks down each of my nerve endings, but I don’t slip into one of my useless dissociative episodes. I don’t freak out.
I don’t lose control.
A wave of pride, unfit to be felt in a place like this, overwhelms my senses. I still want to get the hell out of here, still feel the aches of fear deep inside, but I’m in control.
Unfortunately, I don’t get long to enjoy the moment.
My head jerks at the clack of footsteps nearing. My palms slicken in cold terror.
Then the door cracks open to reveal a tall figure looming in the bright gap, and the first thing that hits me is a cold blast of confusion as I watch the familiar blonde man step into the room.
Those specific features—the pale hair, the mossy-green eyes—all so close to matching those of the other man tied up on the floor. Yet, in the unforgiving shock of light, I can see the subtle differences setting him apart from his twin.
Of course, Ivan reacts first, a low warning growl rippling from his chest.
“Lev, what the fuck have you gotten yourself into?”
A cruel laugh peels from Lev’s traitorous mouth.
“Oh, brother. You never were able to see the big picture. Always just mindlessly following Mikhail around like an adopted mutt, fresh from the pound.”
It hits me fast and sudden.
He was the leak.
The shock chokes my next breath. I remember Mikhail telling me that the man they caught on footage had the Bratva sigil tattooed on his wrist. The very same one that curls around Lev’s arm in front of me, black outlines dancing in the low light.
No wonder Mikhail never got close to uncovering the rat. He would’ve never suspected someone from his inner circle would turn on him, much less the man he grew up with. My heart aches for his betrayal, knowing how hard it’ll hit Mikhail. He considered Lev a brother.
“You deserted your own family, and for what? What did Cassio offer you?” Ivan spits, parroting my own thoughts.
“Family?” Lev repeats, voice hysterical. “You don’t even remember the meaning of the word, Ivan. Our real family was killed because of the Solokovs. Our mother would be rolling in her fucking grave if she could see you now, following his every order. Your allegiance to him makes me sick!”
“Mikhail is not the totality of his father’s actions! He is as much a brother to me as you are.” I watch in anguish as Ivan’s tortured gaze lowers to the floor. “Or at least, as much of a brother as you were.”
“Well, it appears I was right. You know, I was hoping that some part of you might be able to be reasoned with, but it would seem the Solokov Bratva has already poisoned your blood.”
Lev wanders toward Ivan, and my heart stutters as he squats down to his level.
“Consider this a mercy, brother. Cancer is best dealt with swiftly.”
A gasp wrenches from my mouth when Lev straightens up, only to land a powerful kick to Ivan’s stomach. He sputters, doubling over in silent pain.
“Consider our bonds severed,” Lev spits, before kicking Ivan again, even harder this time. Lev continues his vicious assault, beating Ivan down to a battered pulp.
Other than a few pained gasps of air, Ivan doesn’t make a sound.
“Leave him alone!” I scream out, desperate for the attack to end. The outburst causes Lev’s attention to flicker over to me, and my heart sinks as he starts to make his way closer.
“Ah. The syndicate whore finally speaks.” He squats down to my level, just as I watched him do before he beat the shit out of Ivan.
I fight with every muscle in my face to look brave, to not show the fear leaking through me.
“Don’t you worry, Cassio’s got quite the special surprise for you in store. Your man is on his way over as we speak, unarmed and prepared to die in order to save you. Unfortunately, loverboy doesn’t realize we’re only keeping you around to slit your throat in front of his fucking face.” He grabs my chin, and I bare my teeth in anger. “He’ll watch you bleed out at his feet, and then he’ll join you.”
Mikhail
The tip of my tongue worries my back molars as I palm the wheel, rounding the winding mountain road. The location Cassio sent me is in the middle of fucking nowhere. The trees grow wild out here, every bush pouring onto the pavement in a wild anarchy of roots and vines. I’d hardly believe I was still in New York if I hadn’t looked up the coordinates beforehand.
