Chairs slide over the chic custom carpets that were hand-selected by Luna. She has an eye for things that are expensive yet tasteful, and she’s enjoyed playing a bigger role in the family over the last year. I catch myself wondering how Isla would fit in before I slam that mental door closed and throw the dead bolt.
“I must thank you for agreeing to meet with us,” Sidorov says first, still trying to big-dick Priest by speaking first.
And the humility is an act.
Priest just stares into his soul in response. “I’m sure you heard about what happened at our restaurant.”
“A gas leak, so I’m told,” Sidorov drawls, folding his tattooed hands on the table. “So very unfortunate.”
“It was. The Andriani family is doing everything in our power to make sure something like this never happens again.”
Sidorov nods. “I understand you removed the problem. This was wise.”
There’s a reason everyone is speaking in riddles. We don’t trust the Bratva any more than they trust us at this point, and neither of us is taking any chances that there is somehow arecording device planted somewhere by the Feds, or that there’s a hacked phone or another fucking rat.
“We solved part of the problem,” Priest allows, keeping his tone conversational. “The gas leak has been repaired.”
“Da, this is very good news.”
Priest raises a brow. “I’m so glad you approve.”
Sidorov’s smug smile fades as he leans forward. “Do you know what would makemeglad, Andriani?”
“I don’t think I give a fuck, Sidorov.”
I see the men flanking Pakhan exchange a look. Priest is goading Sidorov. This wasn’t part of the plan, but I don’t blame him for going there. The bastard deserves to be raked over the coals. He deserves the fires of hell raining down on him.
“That is interesting to me, because I think, if you knew what guest I have visiting me right now, you might change your mind.” He turns to the man at his left. “Igor, where is the picture of our guest?”
Igor reaches inside his suit, and every Andriani at the table is instantly on edge, hands hovering over their concealed weapons in case any one of us needs to draw. Yeah, we patted them down and gave them a thorough check, but it’s not always a foolproof art.
“Easy,” Sidorov says lightly. “Igor only wants to get his phone,da? I think you will enjoy seeing who has paid me a visit.”
Why the fuck is he going on about a guest? My hackles are raised, a sick sense of misgiving washing over me until I have to swallow down the bile rising in my throat.
“Show us,” Priest bites out.
Igor extracts a phone, taps in a code, and then turns it so we can see the screen.
There, in a still photo, tied up and sitting on some dank floor next to a restrained Rocco, Santino, and Giovanni, is Isla. The men look like they’ve been beaten up, and Rocco is shirtless,wearing a bandage on his shoulder. Isla looks pale and terrified and helpless, her eyes swollen and red from crying. I don’t see any signs of blood or bruising, but that doesn’t mean she’s injury-free.
It’s my worst fucking nightmare.
I burst to my feet so fast, my chair flies backward and topples over. The Russians shoot up, and so do the rest of our guys.
“What the fuck is this about?” Priest demands. “She’s a close friend of my wife’s. That’s all. She’s not even a part of the family.”
“Isn’t she?” Sidorov turns his unusual, pale gaze to me.
“What the fuck did you do?” I demand, ready to kill the bastard with my bare hands.
Priest holds me back to keep me from jumping over the table and beating the shit out of Sidorov.
Sidorov laughs faintly, eyes still on me. “She was on her way to the airport when there was an accident. My men were in the area, and since the car was damaged too badly to drive, we offered them a lift. When they refused, we had to be a bit more forceful with them. I’m told a man named Santino needed a few stitches after he took a knock to the head.”
“I’ll fucking kill you,” I growl. “If you hurt her, I’ll end you, but I won’t make it easy. I’ll torture you until you’re begging me for mercy first.”
Sidorov tsks. “Prosti, Saint, I am sorry, but I don’t think you are in a position to be issuing threats just now.”
