My mother, Aleksandra, taught me that. She comes from her own brutal family, with bloodlines and ties to the Russian Bratva. Her brother, Mikhail, runs the organization out of New York.
She’s never mentioned him to me, but through the years, I’ve heard stories from Father’s men, learned things that I shouldn’t be privy to.
She’s as cutthroat as my father but hides behind her smile and good looks. No one would ever think her deadly.
She wasn’t always that way. My father hardened her, taught her that to be able to protect us, she’d have to be ruthless.
My twin doesn’t have a cruel bone in her body. And I seriously doubt she could love someone who is a killer.
I carefully word my next thoughts, not to make demands. He doesn’t take well to orders being given to him. “Sophia can stay in Montana, crash on the sofa here until she finds work.” There are two sets of eyes on me as I stand and glance out the window. I need somewhere else to look, someplace peaceful and serene.
With Bristol and Sophia staring down my neck for me to do something, the room is suffocating. At least a glimpse into the outside world makes sense. The trees pepper the yard, and that’s the only bit of tranquility I get before I’m forced to deal with whatever he tasks me with.
“There is an alternative, I suppose.”
Relief rushes through me, and I chance a glance at Sophia until I hear his wicked words. “Your sister needs some experience, and I want you watching over her.”
“Excuse me?” I’m not entirely sure what he’s implying, but nausea creeps over me as I fall into the desk chair, needing to sit.
I can feel the weight of his suggestion before he lays it all out on the table.
It’s heavy.
Thick.
The air is wrought with tension.
And this idea he’s surmised is nearly as bad as the first he suggested.
“Sophia will work for Dante, you both will, or she’s to return to New York and get married at once. Which I know she’ll hate. She’s already made that abundantly clear on our call. I will reach out to Dante after we end this call.”
My mouth drops. “I have a full workload this semester, in addition to my hockey responsibilities with the team. I don’t have time for what you’re asking.”
“I’m not asking.”
My eyes shut and I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Of course, he’s not asking. He never asks. He demands.
“And if I say no?”
I huff under my breath and glance briefly at Bristol. Thank God she can’t hear this conversation because she has no idea about Dante or the family.
“You won’t, because you’ve always taken care of your sister, protected her. If you say no, she’ll return to New York at once and walk down the aisle with a man of my choosing. One who will take care of her.”
“Don’t you think she’s been through enough right now?” I stand and open the bedroom door, gesturing for Bristol and Sophia to exit. I have a few choice words to say to my father that I don’t want either of them hearing. Mostly Bristol, but Sophia can follow her out.
“She’s chosen to drop out of college,” he says, unpleased.
Bristol’s brow pinches, but she stands, quietly heading out of my bedroom. Sophia follows, and I snap the door shut behind them.
“Did you not hear about the shooting at Great Falls, or do you just not care?” I snap. “Sophia was hiding, scared, alone, thinking she might die. Do you know who she reached out to when it happened? Me!”
“Which is precisely why I need you looking out for your sister, making sure she doesn’t get herself killed working for Dante. It’s a dangerous business. But if she refuses to marry, I don’t see another way.”
I shake my head. “This is absurd! You can’t expect me to work full-time while going to classes and playing hockey?”
He sighs and I can hear his disdain in his tone. “I forgot about your hockey scholarship.”
