“This is my youngest brother, Anton. He doesn’t talk much. You will learn that about him.”
Good to know…
Anton doesn’t even react to what Kirill said.
“Uh, hi…” I throw on a small smile and hold out my hand anyway.
He glares down at it, gaze narrowing, like I’ve offered him something suspicious instead of a handshake.
Kirill lets out a short laugh. “Take my wife’s hand. It won’t bite.”
Anton smirks, giving him a death stare instead. “How do you marry someone you don’t even know?”
That’s a great question. I’m wondering the very same thing…
Kirill throws an arm around me, drawing me to his side. “I was going to marry her at one point, anyway. Why not just speed up the process?”
Well, I guess that’s romantic, right?
“Ah, love.” Konstantin sighs. “There is nothing like it, my brother.” He slaps Anton on the back. “One day, you’ll find it too. I believe that. I really do.”
The way he says it makes it feel like there’s more behind it.
“You’re funny.” Anton doesn’t so much as crack a smile. “Love isn’t something I will ever go looking for. I’m fine with the way things are.”
Konstantin studies him for a few seconds. “Whatever he did to you, it can be undone.”
Who? Their father? Oh God, I can just imagine…
“Enough.” Anton’s tone sharpens, and Konstantin raises his hands in surrender.
Kirill steps in before it can go any further. “Let’s focus on why I brought you here. I have a plan for Eli. It comes with risks, but?—”
Konstantin lets out a short laugh. “Of course we’ll help. There’s no question about that. We’ll protect Sloane and her child like they’re our own. When do you want to move?”
I don’t know why his words bring tears to my eyes, but I can’t help it. Maybe it’s the way they love and support each other. Maybe it’s because it now feels like I have the family I never had before.
I squeeze Kirill’s hand, and he squeezes back before lifting it to his mouth as he starts laying out the plan.
“So, you want me to pretend I stole the ledger and send a picture of it?” I mull it over in my head.
He nods. “You will tell him that you want to meet in the park in three days, but we will ambush him in two. I know where he’s been hiding.” He looks at his brothers then. “He doesn’t have too many men with him. Ten, maybe. It will be easy.”
“And Barrett?” I ask.
“Barrett will also be dealt with. I promise.”
“Are you gonna kill them?”
Well, that was a stupid question. What else is he going to do? Have a heart-to-heart? Do they look like the kind of men who do that?
Anton lets out a dry chuckle like he finds me entertaining, but one sharp look from Kirill shuts him up. Mostly. Minus the small smirk he’s still wearing.
“I don’t want you to worry,” Kirill adds. “All you need to do is send the text. In fact, give me the phone. I’ll do it.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I should send it. If he gets suspicious, I don’t want it to be because the message doesn’t sound like me.” I swallow. “What do you want me to say?”
“Tell him you have the ledger and that you can meet in three days. If he fights you on when, just tell him I’m going to be out of town that day, so it will be easier for you to get away.”
