She doesn’t say it but the implication is heavy in the air and my heart skips a beat. Faina covers her mouth and closes her eyes as if she’s trying to calm herself down.
“I don’t want to say they’re fine in case they aren’t because I don’t know,” I say softly. “But I do know Anastasia. And they know about Hexagon, they know what could be coming. If anyone is prepared for something like them, then surely it’s her? And with Erik on her side…” My teeth briefly sink into my cheek. “Knowing your enemy is half the battle. We didn’t stand a chance. We were caught off guard, but Anastasia? She already knows.”
Faina sniffles, refusing to let her tears fall. “Do you think being prepared is enough?” she asks softly. “Do you think it will save them?”
“I hope so. If we knew why Hexagon was so intent on New York then maybe it would be easier to understand. I mean…” Puffing out my cheeks, I sit straighter. “There’s no denying Hawk is the third benefactor behind that entire human trafficking operation that my sister unearthed but why is it such a big deal? Domenico wasimportingpeople from Europe so I can’t believe New York was the heart of the operation. And they’re cyber-criminals. Not to diminish our power, but so far, everything with Hawk has been extravagant. Surely, we’re just a drop in the ocean for him.”
“Maybe it’s ego,” Faina murmurs, dropping her hand and rubbing her palms together. “It’s not the first time we’ve disrupted such a disgusting business.”
I nod slowly. “Maybe.” As much as I want to comfort her, the sadness in her eyes isn’t fading and there’s nothing I can do to ease her.
Maybe I’m not the person to do it.
“Wait here.” Leaving her on deck, I hurry back to the captain for the satellite phone and by the time I’m back with her, I already have the call connected.
“Who is it?” Faina watches me with hope in her eyes, hope that’s dashed the moment Rocky Barati’s voice fills the air. She was hoping for Anastasia.
“There’s a voice I haven’t heard in a hot minute,” Rocky says. “Shit. I thought you both were dead.”
“Seriously?” I sit next to Faina.
“Yeah, man. With all the shit going down, it just made sense. But it’s so fucking good to hear your voice, Cian.”
“It’s good to hear yours too.” Just listening to that New York twang with a shadow of Italian pulls painfully at the nostalgia in my chest. Rocky sounds like home and that’s more painful than anything. “Listen, we can’t talk for long. Too many outgoings y’know?”
“Sure, sure.”
“We tried to get in touch with Anastasia but we’ve heard nothing.”
“Ah, shit.” Rocky groans. “Listen, I don’t know how much you know, but the city, man, it’s like a fucking warzone. I feel like I’m fighting three wars at once. I’m losing people every single day, I’m losing money, I’m losing business and shit, it’s not just here. I’ve had family slaughtered in Italy, friends in Japan gunned down in the street.”
“Holy shit,” Faina gasps. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Right?” Rocky laughs. “It’s like every Mafia family woke up and chose war. As for Anastasia… I’ve not heard anything. They closed ranks not long after the uhm…” Rocky stops suddenly. “Cian, I’m sorry, brother. For what happened to your family. I want to say if there’s anything I can do, but I know that shit is meaningless.”
The air around me grows cold until Faina’s hand rests upon my forearm. “Thanks, Rocky.”
“Yeah, no problem. Anyway, we haven’t heard from the Russians. Several of their buildings got blown up and even the cops are running around like headless chickens. I reached out but I haven’t heard anything. If they’re going through anything like I am, then they’re stretched too thin and running out of money.”
Faina’s lips press into a thin line. “Thanks, Rocky.”
“No problem. Sorry I can’t be more help. Listen, I gotta go, but stay safe, okay? Stay alive.”
“You too, Rocky.” I end the call with a press of a button and an eerie silence falls between us.
Hearing his voice is like a blast from the past but at the same time, he sounded strained. Like he was in some kind of pain.Given Hexagon’s reach, I’m not surprised they're suffering. Low funds, drained accounts, dead men in the streets. The city I know and love is crumbling and one man is responsible.
Hawk.
There’s not enough time in the world left for all the shit I want to do to him. And even then, it won’t be enough for what he deserves.
“Cian?”
Faina pulls my attention back to her and I flash a small smile. “It’ll be okay.”
“Will it?” Her brow lifts. “Because right now it feels like we’re too late to save anyone.”
26
