“Then let me help you to know for sure so you don’t try to stop me.” I stepped closer to him and his brother. “Where is your mother, Kira?”
Wolf stared at me a long beat, then cut his gaze to his brother.
“In Russia,” Kira said.
“Yes, but is she alive in Russia or is she dead?” I asked in a dramatic, knowing tone.
“What do you know?” Wolf asked me. His jaw twitched as he stared at his brother with a murderous glint in his eyes. His anger was palpable. He should want to kill his lying, stealing, cockroach of a brother.
I waved my hand for Roman to step forward, and I moved to the side with Fabio.
“We’ve confirmed that your mother died months ago,” Roman told Wolf. “The facility she was supposedly staying at has no record of her. I’m sorry.”
“But I talked to her.” Wolf blinked rapidly.
“They’re lying, brother. She’s alive. I promise,” Kira just kept lying. Anything to save his own neck.
I punched him in the face to shut him up. Couldn’t stand the sound of his voice anymore.
“But I talked to her.” Wolf hung his head.
“Are you sure it was her? Kira could have paid someone to impersonate her.” I motioned for a soldier to untie Wolf.
“No,” he growled at the man. “Don’t or I’ll kill him with my bare hands, and then you won’t get your baby.”
“Fair enough.” I held my hand up, so the armed soldier moved back.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. It better be Zotov. I was out of my mind with worry for my baby girl. I needed to get her back to her mother before Isla woke up and vowed to hate me for the rest of her life.
“It’s from Zotov,” I told my brother and Fabio. “One hour. He sent me the location.”
Fabio peered at the address. “I know exactly where that’s at. It’ll take about forty-five minutes to get there.”
“Good. Let’s get a move on.” I turned toward Wolf. “It’s time.”
“Just take him away. I don’t want to ever see him again.” He raised his chin and turned his head away from his brother.
“Very well. Load Kira into the van.” I nodded to the closest soldier.
The Russian started yelling in his native language as the guards removed him from the chair and dragged him toward a black van with blackout windows. I was glad I didn’t understand a word he said.
But I could tell what Kira said affected Wolf deeply as his eyes filled with tears. Nonetheless, Wolf wouldn’t look at his brother.
When Kira had been gagged again and was secured in the vehicle, I had another guard free Wolf.
“I’m sorry it’s come to this. Let’s get my daughter and go home.”
He nodded and followed me toward the car we would take to the meeting place.
In the car, Wolf texted Rosa and I sent Luca a message. I wanted an update on Isla.
Luca: She’s still out. If she wakes up too early, Jon will knock her out.
Ciro: On our way to do the exchange. Hoping to be home not too long after you.
Luca: I pray it goes well.
Ciro: Me too.
