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Lev might be a very different man if he finds that out.

My mother is offering me a rope and a boat. A chance to leave. I should take it. Take it and stop living the lie.

This is the freedom I craved. So, why would I choose to stay in a gilded cage?

I nod slowly. “Okay, Mama… We’ll leave.”

Her shoulders relax. “You have a chance at happiness now.”

I nod, but the voice in the back of my head tells me that no matter how much happiness comes my way, or who I meet, I’ll never feel this way about anyone but Lev.

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

Lev

Itake a drag from my Cohiba cigar and lean back in my chair just as Aleksandr walks into my office.

It’s eleven at night. I’m only down here because Gabrielle is asleep upstairs. I got back from work late and found her out cold, so I decided to come in here and do some last-minute work.

I also had a feeling Aleksandr might stop by. He’s been doing some work for me off the back of what Korrina found weeks ago, which was that, surprise, surprise, Corrado is planning a secret meeting with Petr. We just don’t know where yet.

The intel was as important as Korrina claimed, but talking about it then wouldn’t have given me any more information than I know now. She also didn’t need to drop off the intel. I knew from the moment I saw her that she was up to her old tricks again.

That’s why I chose my wife. Then again, that day, Moretti himself could’ve been in the library with us, and I still would’ve chosen Gabrielle.

Aleksandr pulls up a chair and sits, opening the humidor on the desk and taking out a cigar. He lights up and takes a drag before looking at me again. He blows out a ring of smoke and sighs. “I’m almost afraid to say we may be onto something.”

I lean forward, resting my hands on the desk. “Is this a something like last time or something more concrete?”

He gives me a wry grin. “Concrete.”

“Let’s hear it.” I set my cigar in the ashtray while Aleksandr takes another drag of his.

“Looks like they’re meeting in two weeks’ time. They have business with the Malina.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Basically anyone who’s an enemy to us is a friend to them.

“That time frame coincides with something Cass found about Moretti. It looks like he’s finally coming to New York, Lev.”

My interest piques. “Really?”

“Yes. And I’m going in this time.” He blows out a ring of smoke. “I will watch Corrado and make sure we get our hands on Petr before he can pull any more stunts. That will give us a clear opening to Moretti. Our Irish cousins are on standby.”

“Sounds good if it works. We’re both in on this, though, Aleksandr.”

“You do know your father-in-law is planning to kill you, right?” He arches a brow.

I smile and flick my palms over. “Of course. We all knew this would happen eventually. I declared war on his empire. He’s just been gathering soldiers.”

Aleksandr gives me a deadpan stare. “You’re way too relaxed, brother. Way too relaxed.”

“I just know what to expect. At least things seem to be moving faster. The fact that they’re speaking means something could happen sooner than two weeks.”

“You can count on it. Doesn’t your wife turn twenty-one in a few weeks?”

“She does.”