But I don’t know how I can snoop around Alesandro’s office. There are people everywhere all the time.
Running an organized crime operation is 24/7. Alessandro might be in bed, but some soldier is always up, lurking about the house.
I’m in a no-win situation. Unable to figure out my next step, I get ready to pick Enzo up from school.
I’m about to leave the cottage when my phone pings.
Pyotr's name appears on the screen.
Your loyalty has been questioned. The Bratva needs assurance. Bring the files to the warehouse by the pier at midnight. Come alone. Your son's safety depends on your obedience.
The world tilts beneath my feet. I fumble with the phone, calling Enzo's school.
"Enzo was picked up early by his uncle." The secretary sounds perfectly calm. "Mr. Petrov showed his ID and signed him out properly."
My knees buckle. The phone slips from my grasp, clattering to the floor.
He took my son. My brother took my son.
13
LUCA
I’m in the gym, working off the restless energy that is building to dangerous proportions.
Between Katerina’s inability to understand and forgive why I left and Alessandro’s constant suspicions, I’m nearing a breaking point.
I should tell them all to go to hell and return to Chicago.
The only reason I don’t skip town is Enzo, a kid I never knew existed until a few days ago and who is now front and center in my world.
And Katerina. Christ. Even cold as ice, I burn for her.
That woman has always been my one weakness, my addiction. I know she feels the electricity between us.
Every now and then, I catch her looking at me with an expression that is torn between desire and hate.
Fucking hell, it’s driving me insane.
But opposite of that is Alessandro who wants me gone. Adriano wants to kill me, although I don’t think it’s personal.
Something has broken in him, and he simply wants to kill anyone and everyone, except maybe Alessandro.
Valentina plays her own game of survival in this shit show of a family.
And somewhere in this house is a traitor feeding information to the Russians.
My phone buzzes. Chicago calling.
My other life demanding attention.
I silence it without looking. I have good men around me.
While I can’t leave them forever, I trust they can handle things a little bit longer.
The door of the gym bursts open. Instinct has me reaching for my gun until I see Katerina rush in, her eyes wild with panic.
"Luca, please!" Katerina's desperate voice makes my blood run cold.
