Talia is waiting for us as we step off the elevator on the top floor of Jaroslav’s building.
“They’re all waiting in the boardroom,” she says, then pulls Stef into a hug. “I’m so happy to see you,” she whispers, then steps back and gestures for us to follow.
I take a deep breathe, nodding to Stef. She smiles tightly. “It’s going to go well,” she whispers.
I wish I believed that.
I have to believe that.
Talia walks into the boardroom ahead of us. I hear her saying, “They’re here.”
We step in, and everyone is staring toward the door. At us.
“Hi,” I say tightly. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“Take a seat,” Jaroslav growls. His eyes are locked onto his sister. “Stefania, it’s good to see you alive and well.”
Stefania ignores his stern glare and walks around the table to hug him.
She leans close and whispers something in his ear. I can guess what she’s saying by the expression on his face. She’s asking him to be open to whatever I have to say. She’s asking him to show mercy of some sort for the man who kidnapped his sister.
My eyes shift to Diomid. His arms are folded across his chest, and he’s watching my every move. Around the table, all of the Abashin brothers are watching me in a similar way. Matvei, Timofey, and Oleg. On the other side are the Shevchenko brothers. Jaroslav, Georgy, Evengil, and Zakhar.
The table is packed.
Talia stands to the side, next to Angelika. Stef quickly goes around the room saying hello to her brothers and finally her sister, who hugs her the tightest. She then returns to my side and takes the seat next to mine.
“Shall we begin?” Jaroslav huffs.
“I’m here to try and explain what happened and let you know that while I understand that I am responsible for my brother’s actions, being the leader of our family, I had no knowledge of what he was doing until recently.”
“Do you think that is a good excuse for your actions?” Jaroslav snarls.
“My actions?” I ask, confused.
“You kidnapped my sister,” he snaps at me.
I sigh, “Yes, I did. But she came to no harm through me, and I’ve come to apologize for…”
“Apologizing doesn’t make things right, Marlen,” Jaroslav interrupts me.
“Jaro, please, let him speak,” Stef says.
“Who’s going to apologize to the women at that auction?” Zakhar says loudly across the table.
“And who’s going to be responsible for making Bardil pay for what he’s done?” Matvei adds.
“Guys, I understand that we’re all angry. I’m angry at my brother, too. More than any of you, believe me. But I’m here to try and settle things, not to start a fight,” I say, holding my hands up, sensing how badly the situation is going already.
Diomid stands up, placing both hands on the table as he leans toward me. “Your brother was happy to host a party whereinnocent women were getting sold to monstrous men. Sent to their death,” he mutters darkly.
“Diomid, please, that isn’t helping,” Talia huffs.
“The truth isn’t helpful?” he snaps.
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it,” Talia sighs, glancing at Stef with a strained expression. I glance at Stef, too. She’s sitting in silence with her brows knitted together and hands clasped tightly in her lap.
I reach beneath the table and place my hand over hers to ease her anxiety.
