“Are there more locations?” Mikhail asks.
Ivan nods. “I got it out of one of them.” His lips tip. “It was actually a fun little game. Well, once the two idiots realized the prize for talking was a quick death. Then they were motivated to win. But the joke was on them. I didn’t have time for anything creative tonight.” He laughs.
Yuri shakes his head as he walks past heading for the front door. “There is something seriously wrong with you.”
Ivan shrugs, unbothered by the assessment. “Are the charges already set?”
“Charges?” I shrug on my suit jacket. It covers almost all of the blood on my white shirt.
“I told you. We’re making a statement,” Mikhail explains with a faint smirk tugging at his mouth. “No one does business with my bratva or touches trade in the Southeast without my approval.”
I shake my head. “First the Senator and the boat a couple of years ago, and now a house in the middle of an expensive neighborhood… You’re getting flashy in your old age.” I tease. “You’ve been hanging out with Alex too much.”
Mikhail grunts but doesn’t disagree.
A few minutes after we’ve cleared the neighborhood, heading for the highway, a muffled boom reaches us, and I can see the orange light behind us in the rearview mirror.
“Where are the other locations? We need to hit them before they hear about this.”
“Not you,” Mikhail says firmly. “You need to get back to the hotel. We’ll handle it.”
I frown. Does he still not trust me?
Mikhail shifts in his seat, brushing down his suit jacket before giving me an oddly hurt look. “I’m not happy that I wasn’t invited to either Alex’s or your wedding. We’re family. I should have been there.”
My blood turns to ice, and my gaze darts to the men sitting in the front. Ivan doesn’t appear to be listening, but Yuri’s shoulders stiffen.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Mikhail continues. “I was naturally curious how you were spending your time during your… grief. Though you surprised me with your visit to the chapel last night.” A rare smile crosses his face. “And you thinkI’mspending too much time with Alex.”
I bark a surprised laugh.
“When you get back to Atlanta, things will need to change.”
Here it comes. He’s finally decided on my punishment.
Mikhail looks at me out of the corner of his eye. “I admit I was pleased with how easily you agreed to leave your new bride at my request tonight.”
I keep my face blank. It’s safest if he thinks my loyalty is to him and not my wife.
“You’ve always been a good soldier, and a loyal cousin. Now that you’re settled with a family, it’s time for you to step into a more prominent role.” He pauses. “Your father’s role.”
Only a lifetime of training on how to hide my emotions keeps my mouth closed, but Mikhail is still talking. “I need men I can trust.”
My pulse kicks. “I’m honored.”
Mikhail’s mouth curves. “Excellent. I look forward to meeting your bride.”
The glass doorof the shower slides open, pulling me from my thoughts and Mikhail’s mental chess games.
Sera steps in, and I straighten, backing up a step and adjusting the temperature so the hot water streaming over her bare skin isn’t too hot for her sensitive scars. My hands immediately drop to cup her breasts, thumbs grazing her nipples, but she lifts a hand to my wrist to stop me.
Her face is unreadable. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” My thumb moves again, but she pulls my hand back and turns it palm down. Her eyebrows bunch when she sees my swollen, split knuckles.
She scans down my body looking for more injuries. “Anywhere else?”
“No.”
