"You're not telling him anything." I tighten my fingers around the handle. “You’re the message."
It takes a second for the meaning to sink in. The blood drains from his already pale features.
"Please. Don’t do this. I have a family. I’m sorry I didn’t say the name. I have children. They need me.”
"Not my concern.” I gesture around the room. “See these men. They have families too. That’s why they follow the rules and don’t fuck around in places they don’t belong."
I grab his shoulder and drive the blade into his stomach, angling the steel low and upward. He screams as I push the blade deeper, leaning in close so he hears every word I say.
"You’re going to let Luan know that Moscow is closed.There's a new Pakhan and I don't do business with Albanians. Stay out of Volchya territory. Stay away from our people and don't fucking breathe here. If anyone has a problem…" I twist the blade harder and he screams again, choking on blood. “This is what happens. You think Luan will understand this?”
He tries to nod, blood pouring between his fingers, clutching at the wound. I pull the knife out, stepping aside as he slides down the wall, collapsing on the ground. I wipe the blade on his jacket then slip the knife back into my boot.
I look over at Alexei. “Make sure this gets delivered to Luan.”
"Yes, Pakhan."
I let the word sink in. This is what I’ve waited so many years to hear. All the planning and preparation, building alliances while my father built walls against his own men. Now Volchya and Moscow are mine.
I walk out into the hallway, satisfied that my men know what to do. They’ll organize a cleanup and take special care of Dimitri’s body. I step over my father’s fallen guards and I’m halfway across the courtyard when Petrov runs up to me.
“What do we do about Yuri?”
Yuri, the brigadier I couldn’t trust. “He has to go. It’s up to him how easy or hard it’ll be. As for the others, they either accept the new order or leave the city by tonight. No exceptions.”
He nods. “Where are you headed?”
“To collect something that belongs to me."
CHAPTER 21
NALA
"Roman!"
I'm bounding across the room before I can register what’s happening. All I can see is Roman standing in the doorway, alive and here with me. I launch myself into his arms. He catches me, hauling me close as I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my face into his throat, inhaling his scent and feeling his pulse.
I can’t believe he’s here. I pull back to look at him, double checking that this is real. It is. His clothes feel cold and stiff against my skin with the scent of what I can only assume is gunpowder and blood.
"You came back," I say, my voice breaking with happiness and lingering fear from this morning. His arms close around me, tight and almost crushing but I don’t care.
“I'm here,pchyolka.I told you I wouldn’t leave you.”
I gaze at him, now aware of the splatter of blood across his jacket, the dried streaks on his jaw, neck and hands. I don’t care how bloody he is. I grab his face with both hands, kissing him with everything I have, pouring my soul into it.
“I woke up and you were gone,” I whisper, in between a kiss. “I couldn’t stop thinking you wouldn’t come back. That I’d never see you again.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “I won’t do that again.” His lips travel down my throat then back to my mouth.
When I finally draw in a breath and he sets me on my feet, I ask, “Does this mean your father’s dead?”
Roman shakes his head, his jaw tightening. “Not yet. He’s still alive. Not for much longer though.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lev is with him at a warehouse.” He takes a step back and reaches for my coat. “I’m taking you to see him.”
My legs freeze. A tremor of fear races up my spine. I know Roman says he’s being held and obviously he can’t do anything to me, but the thought of facing this man who terrified me for so many years, fills me with dread.
