Levka waved a hand, but the man didn’t leave the doorway. Levka glared at him and firmly said, “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Another ten seconds before Gleb conceded and left. Levka knew he was fucking up. Fedor Utkins was currently his boss, and making him wait could cause problems. But Levka could only focus on Luerna. She was a weakness, and it became evident in moments like this. But his empire held little importance compared to her.
Levka called an unsaved number. Luerna’s driver answered the phone in a hush, feared tone, and Levka didn’t waste time. “Where is she?”
“At home, sir. She isn’t allowed to leave.”
Levka ran a hand through his hair. Did Rurik find out about them? They were careless in their affection over the last few days, but Levka had paid the staff and knew where every camera was hidden. Rurik would have no proof, but would he need it? Could his jealousy be spurred by simple possibilities?
If Luerna was in danger, Levka could enact plan C. He bought a tank last year, a stupid and costly weapon he hid from his father. It had two missiles, one for the front gate and one for the front door. It was a last-ditch effort, the worst of all his plans, but when there was no more choice, he needed the power to rescue her.
“Have you seen her?”
“No, sir.”
Levka watched the screen. She left the kitchen. He hadn’t been able to put cameras anywhere else. Though she seemed okay aside from a slight stiffness, his gut told him something was wrong.
“Call me if you have any more information.” Levka tossed the phone. His leg bounced with anxiety. Something was wrong, but without proof, he couldn’t throw away his plans for a theory. He put too much effort into their escape plan. Four months was all he needed, but he wouldn’t make it if he couldn’t contact her.
Adrik’s warning replayed in his head.‘If you are going to get rid of Rurik, you better be ready to replace him. Until then, Luerna stays where she is.’
Levka had responded with bitterness.“That’s the problem with you and your father. You see her as sacrificial.”
‘Our family is connected. As an only child, you wouldn’t be able to understand that. She makes sacrifices as we all do. I want my sister to be happy, don’t mistake me. But her happiness does not come before this family, and neither does mine. We are powerful because of what we give up, not because of what we have.’
‘That’s fucked up.’
‘That’s the mafia. Perhaps you’re in the wrong business.’
Levka hated him for saying it, even though he knew he was right. For the next four months, he would connect with three prominent families and have enough sway in Russia to rig elections. He couldn’t give the Morozovs the kind of power Rurik possessed, but he could give in other ways. It would stop Yakov from coming after him and hopefully allow him to pursue Luerna in public after Rurik gets disbarred from his position.
Levka got up from his chair, leaving the room. The only move he could concentrate on was finding a way to talk to her. He’d visit her at church. It was a risk, but one he had to take before he fucked up everything.
Luerna sat in the pew with Irina on her lap, barely hearing the sermon as tears built in the back of her eyes. The idea that a possible baby was developing in her womb destroyed any happiness, any hope for a better future, and any belief that things would get better. She wanted to burn her body, stab her gut, claw out any chance for life to start.
She looked up at the cross, asking God why He did this to her. Why couldn’t He leave her alone? Was she paying for her father’s sins? Was that how God worked?
Irina whispered in her ear, “I have to go potty.”
Luerna got up quietly, holding her daughter in her arms. Rurik glanced at her as if insulted by her departure in the middle of a sermon. But he turned his attention back to the preacher.
Luerna used to love the church when she was a child. It was magical here. She felt God in everything, but now she didn’t know if she believed He existed anymore.
She helped her daughter use the bathroom, speaking sweetly and encouragingly, and the little girl had many things to say. Luerna was startled when Levka was waiting against the bathroom sink.
Luerna initially ignored him, picking up her daughter to wash her hands. “Mama, it’s your friend.”
“Shh…Mama doesn’t have any friends,” Luerna whispered, drying her hands.
Levka didn’t like that. Her distance was a fucking black hole between them. He couldn’t feel anything from her. She was so good at being numb; her spirit was where emotions go to die. It sucked up everything in the room, and even Levka struggled to keep hold of his temper. “What’s going on, Luerna?”
“Nothing.”
Luerna went to step around him, and he gripped her arm. “Are you alright? Talk to me.”
Luerna took her phone from her purse and handed it to Irina before sitting her on the edge of the counter.
“That’s a new phone,” Levka noted. “What happened to your other one?”
