“No, it was just a number,” I sigh.
“Weird. I wonder why. I dropped my damn phone this morning and had to have the tech guys copy all my stuff to a new phone. Maybe they messed up somewhere.”
“Why did you call, Simon?” I ask.
“Right, I need your help. I’d like to tell you it won’t take long, but I’d probably be lying,” he sighs.
“For what?”
“One of our clients needs an urgent delivery. I wanted to drive it out there myself, but figured I probably shouldn’t do it alone,” he says.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll come with you.”
“Can you meet me at the warehouse? The order isn’t even packed yet,” he says.
“On my way.”
Before I walk out of the house, I pause at the open front door, wondering if I should go and check on her before I leave. But there isn’t much point. I can’t take back the truth.
I pull the door closed behind me and walk toward my car. I left a handwritten note for her on the kitchen counter. I just said I had to go out. I didn’t want her worrying when she couldn’t find me.
Guilt sits heavy in the pit of my stomach. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now, learning what she learnt about her family. Having your world turned like that… It’s daunting. I should have been softer with her. I never even intended to tell her. Especially not like that.
Chapter 8 - Stefania
I can’t sleep.
His words are running through my mind. Over and over again. That look in his eyes. It was so raw, so real, so intense. Every time I close my eyes, I see his face flooded with that deep, painful emotion. Such intense anger. When Marlen told me what my brothers did, it was the first time I’ve ever seen such raw emotion in him.
I feel for him, but at the same time, I can’t bring myself to accept that my family would do something like he said they did. It’s too cruel.
It doesn’t make sense.
But Marlen was so certain. So hurt by it. His conviction in seeking revenge makes me question everything. He wouldn’t do this if he weren’t sure.
Right?
I toss again, roll onto my side, then sit up to punch the pillow into a different shape because everything is so uncomfortable. Last night the bed was perfect. It was soft, cozy, and warm. Tonight it’s lumpy, and the pillow is too hard or too soft—I’m not sure which.
Groaning, I roll onto my stomach, pressing my face into the pillow and letting out a short, sharp scream.
I wish I could call my brothers and ask them what happened. What if Marlen was telling the truth, though? It changes everything I know about my family. About the Abashins, too. It just changeseverythingI know abouteverything.
Am I so naive that I didn’t see what was happening right in front of me?
We are Bratva after all. This is a cruel and harsh world we live in. People do crazy things to survive, and my family isn’t just surviving—they are thriving.
In order to get that much power, that high a ranking… people would have to do some questionable things… right? So, is it really that hard to believe they would do what Marlen said they did?
They wouldn’t. They’re good people.
I toss again, rolling onto my side and pulling my legs up against my chest. Surely, they wouldn’t do that to Talia’s brother. Talia is family to us. Even though we don’t get on with Bardil, it doesn’t mean that we would purposefully do damage toherfamily.
Ugh, this is so frustrating. I can’t think straight. I can’t clear the confusion.
Should I try talking to Marlen again?
No. He was so… he was too angry. I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t think it’s possible to reason with him about this anyway. He’s got his story, and he’s sticking to it by the looks of things.
