My plans for Joe were elsewhere. At first, I didn’t think ye had it in ye to fall in love, not romantically. Not after ye walked away from Deja’s father.
I had hoped that relationship would stick. Then Phoebe Romaine contacted me and pointed out what threads to pull. I watched and waited.
I saw the moment Cole became infatuated and I nudged that bond as much as I could, knowing Oland couldn’t resist triggering ye to take his life and setting ye on a path to finish what I started.
Lev Krupin was the only one from that family who could be trusted. He thought differently from the rest. He didn’t believe in all their practices.
The Krupin family is dangerous. Phoebe told me you would hunt them and always find the task just outside your reach until Deja and Cole were together and yer past deeds came back to haunt ye.
I have one more task for ye, love. This one brings the board to a decisive advantage. It’s time for the zugzwang. You are my final checkmate before I hand over a winning board to my boys. They will handle the rest.
Phoebe said to tell ye to find the child. The one with the gray eyes that see all. Ye will know it’s him because he looks like his father and he will finish what his grandmother and I started.
Forgive me. I didn’t want to return yer past to ye, but this is how we win.
Your father, not by blood, but always in heart,
Ian Black
I swipeat the tears rolling down my cheeks. I do remember where and how he found me. I just pretended not to because he was so kind, and he wanted to protect me.
Ian Black saved my life and then gave me the skills to never be taken advantage of ever again. However, I didn’t know the family I’ve been hunting is the reason for how I ended up in that horrible life.
The Krupins haven’t made it easy for me to find them or get close to them. They are like ghosts. Pavel is only seen when he wants to be, and even then, it’s nearly impossible to get near him.
I guess he learned from what I did to his brother. I’m one of the best and they still evade me. I thought it would end with Pavel. However, once I began to dig, I found I’d only be cutting off one head and there would be another who would follow. Deja and I would forever have to look over our shoulders.
“There is something else ye should know,” Finlay says, causing me to look up at him.
“What’s that?”
“Misha Krupin has killed Pavel. The sisters have taken things over and they are worse than the brothers. He wants their heads and could get in your way.”
This is what I mean. That family is unhinged, but not untouchable. Ian’s work will not go in vain.
“Understood.”
CHAPTER 44
Blast from the Past
Valentina
I standin the viewing gallery of the training facility. DJ and one of the trainees are sparring. I wince as DJ catches him in the throat and he stumbles back.
I’m in more awe of this chick the more I see her in action. She’s skilled in combat and will clear a target course with one hand behind her back. If those two demons are with her, forget it.
I love watching them work. With them helping me train the other ladies, I’ll have the army we need.
“Hello, Val.”
I turn, ready to fight. My mouth falls open when I see who’s standing in the room with me. There were certain skills my uncle didn’t feel he was the right fit to train me for. That’s when I met this woman.
“Onyx? What? Wait … you’re her mother. That’s why I’m having trouble finding you for her. Helen Walsh doesn’t exist,” I breathe as it all clicks into place.
“She did once. That is who my daughter knows me as.”
“So she doesn’t know about what you do?”
