Will Gavriil actually tell me what’s going on? There’s only one way to find out.
I quicken my pace to reach his office. I storm inside to find him sitting behind his empty desk. My anger at him spending the night holding my girl is briefly interrupted when I notice that the filing cabinets and everything else is gone.
“What’s going on?” I question him. “Are you moving out?”
If he decided to take Alina out of the state, out of the country with him, I may never see her again.
Gavriil leans back in his seat and folds his hands over his chest. “Sensitive information has been removed from the estate and transported somewhere safer.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Why?”
My brother holds my gaze, looking like we’re just talking about the weather when shit must be getting serious in his war with the Irish. “We believe the estate will be attacked soon,” he says. All I can think about is whether Alina will be anywhere near it.
“Fuck,” I breathe out as I sink down into one of the two chairs in front of his desk. “When?”
“Soon.”
I knew that this was a possibility, that the war would show up on our doorstep, but hearing it confirmed makes unease stir in my chest. This isn’t news that anyone wants to hear, especially given how shitty our odds are against three different groups. Alina isn’t safe. Has he considered that? Does he even think about her safety when he’s manipulating her into sharing his bed with him?
“You’re standing your ground here?” I question him.
Gavriil nods. “Abandoning the estate is out of the question. If they want me gone, they’ll have to come kill me.”
Fleeing would be a coward’s move. It’s surrendering because you’re too weak to put up a fight. Our father never would’ve backed down either. “How many men are you up against?”
Gavriil hesitates for a few moments before waving his hand dismissively. “I didn’t bring you here to discuss strategy.”
I scoff at him, frustration flaring within me. “Fine. Then, what the hell do you want? To throw whatever you’ve been doing with Alina in my face? She told me?—”
“No.” Gavriil breathes in deeply before saying, “It’s time for us to say goodbye.”
I blink at him. The words hit harder than any threat he’s ever made. “Goodbye?”
Gavriil nods, his body stiffening a hint. No one else would probably notice. “You have two choices, little brother. You could stay and try to fight me forPakhanso you can lead this war against our enemies, or you can leave with Alina. But you can’t do both,” he explains. “So, do you love her more than you hate me?”
I’m certain I didn’t hear him right. There has to be some other catch. “You would let Alina and I leave together? Today?”
“Yes,” he replies. “I considered the bunker, but if the estate falls, running from the bunker would be impossible. You should take her to the old farmhouse. It has more exits and it’ll be easier to defend. You and your men should be able to protect her there. It’s secluded, and technically not part of the estate.”
He’s really going to release us all?
Alina and I will finally be able to be together?
This is what I’ve been wanting for weeks now, and my brother is finally handing it to me on a silver platter after going to extremes to try and tear us apart.
It seems too good to be true.
“What will it be?” Gavriil remarks.
He knows what I’ll choose, that Alina comes first. In fact, I think he’s betting on it, because he wants to keep her safe too, and he doesn’t trust his guards enough to leave her in their hands.
“Why?” I ask, wanting him to say it. He’s worried about her, but contradicting himself by choosing to keep her close.
“Why what?”
“Why do you want me to take her to the farmhouse?” I ask. “Why not help me get her out of the fucking city?” I question him.
Gavriil looks down at his desk, tension working itself into every feature on his face. “It’s not safe for her. The roads, airports, bus and train stations may already be under surveillance by the Irish and Armenians. They know you were recently next in line to the throne,” he adds. “Trying to get you and your men out now, with them hunting every member of the Bratva, could get her killed.”
