It’s an opportunity. One I didn’t think I’d get. I look around quickly for something I can use as a weapon, and my eyes land on a knife lying abandoned on the counter.
I grab it and hold it at my side. My heart is pounding wildly in my ears, but I stay calm.
“That is true,” he says. “Sexyandsmart. I assume you can guess who is in my way? Who is keeping me from being on top, as you put it?”
“I’m sure Ransome doesn’t make your life easy.”
As he makes his way back to me, I step closer to the counter to keep the knife hidden.
“Ransome. Anton. Dmitry.”
I frown. “Your uncle?”
“Family has a different meaning in the Bratva than it does in normal life. It’s less about blood and more about who stands with you and who betrays you. Dmitry has a tendency of fucking me over.”
Interesting. So Ransome’s house isn’t the only one in disarray. I file it away for later. “Do you really think you can take him out?”
“My uncle?”
“Ransome. His father. The entire Rozanov family.”
Tristan stops in front of me on the opposite side of the counter. “I mean… I already got the brother.”
Ice crawls up my spine.
Is he saying what I think I’m saying?
“Honestly, I thought they were going to make Nik theirpakhanfor sure,” he goes on, oblivious to my horror. “He was ballsier than Ransome and had more interest in it. Once he died, well, Ransome had to step up. Now he’s a major pain in my ass. He’s going to be a bigger pain once he becomespakhan.”
“You were there when Nik died?” I ask, trying to connect all the dots even though I can’t see all of them.
Tristan just smiles. “Let’s just say I remember poor Nikky’s death in vivid detail.”
I don’t mean to say it, but it slips out of me anyway. “You’re a monster.”
So much for using my charm.
Tristan doesn’t seem shaken by my words. “No. I’m Bratva.And I am going to rule over them.”
“And how are you going to do that?” My question comes out in a spiteful whisper.
“You.”
“Me?” I can’t help it—I laugh. “You actually thinkI’mgoing to helpyou?”
“Considering your current circumstances, I don’t think you have much of a choice.”
“I think you underestimate me.” My hand goes tight around the hidden handle.
“And I think you’ve underestimated my attention to detail.” Tristan reaches under his shirt and presents a pistol. He places it on the counter, but his finger is still on the trigger. “First rule of fighting, sweetheart? Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.”
I decide to make a run for it.
I dash towards the door. But when I try to unlock it, the access is denied.
Shit. The new access code.
Tristan’s slow footsteps clap on the floor behind me. I spin around defensively, the knife still in hand.
