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“I’m sorry, Uncle, but I haven’t found anything useful on them. I need more time.”
“I see.” Yuriy hums, looking unnaturally upset, and turns back to the table. “Is that why you decided to focus on the Italians instead?”
My heart sinks. Ohfuck.
“Because, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’ve received multiple reports about you sneaking into the Messinas’ territory, and I’m yet to hear your explanation.”
Thank god he isn’t looking at me because, at this moment, I can’t be sure that my expression is as calm as I want it to be. Goddamnit. I did all I could to avoid unwanted eyes and remain unseen in the Italians’ territory, but I guess I wasn’t careful enough to stay out of my own family’s sight. And what am I supposed to say now?Think, Sasha, hurry up!
“Ah, but you’re right, Uncle, I just—when I realized that it was too dangerous to provoke the Mexicans, I decided that it would be better to get something on the Italians instead.”
“Youdecided,” Yuriy repeats, and my whole body goes cold from the note of steel in his voice. “Since when areyouallowed to make decisions?”
I only have enough time to blink and gasp for breath before Yuriy’s hand grips my throat and squeezes so tight that the pain echoes all the way to the tip of my head. I shut my eyes and gasp for breath, rising on tiptoes as he pushes me upward. I don’t dare pull his hand away, so I grit my teeth around the pain in my lungs and focus on Yuriy’s voice.
“Next time you decide to step out of line, Alexandra, remember that you won’t be the only one to get punished.”
Is he talking about Misha? Is he threateningmy son? I feel a wave of heated rage in my veins, but I grit my teeth around the curses ready to slip out of my mouth. I’d happily tell Yuriy to go to hell, but I’m not in a position to risk my life. Literally. He could choke me to death here, in front of the other three, and no one would say a word.
“Yes, Uncle,” I finally whisper with the last remnants of my breath. And, after a moment, Yuriy releases me and pushes me away. I stumble over a decorative table with a plant and gasp for air, wincing from the sting in my chest. God, what an asshole.
“Besides, we don’t want our dearest partners to think that we’re planning something against them, right?”
And here he is, back to his disgustingly cheerful persona. I glare at Yuriy, unable to hide my resentment, but thankfully he isn’t looking at me. He’s focused on Elena with a big smile on his lips, and I feel like there’s something more hidden in his words, but I don’t get the privilege of knowing the meaning.
I finally catch my breath and stand upright, brushing myself off. Well, that wasn’t as bad as I expected. I guess Yuriy is in a good mood today.
“Your tricks could put Elena’s position in danger,” Yuriy continues after his turn in the game and looks at me with a scowl. “If it ever happens again, I will not hold back.”
In danger?She’s Riccardo Messina’s wife! But I keep my lips sealed and nod. “Yes, Uncle, I understand.”
I stay with them for another ten minutes just to make sure Yuriy doesn’t get suspicious again. It doesn’t take long for Olga to win the game, and I can’t help but smile a little more genuinely. Watching Yuriy lose is a special kind of pleasure. He hides his displeasure, of course, but he tells me to leave almost immediately after. Finally!
I take a deep breath of fresh air as soon as I step out of the bar, and I can’t help a small smile. God, how wonderful it is to be out and away from Yuriy and his court! I quickly glance around, making sure that nobody’s watching me, and run down the stairs.
Yeah, I’ll have to be extra careful from now on and keep an eye on Misha. I don’t like how easily these jerks throw his name around. They know I don’t care about their threats—no pain or torture can turn me into their blind puppet. But Misha is too young and completely in their power, and I hate it. God, when will I be able to get out of this damn family?
“Sasha, wait!”
Huh? Why does that voice sound so familiar? I frown, unlock my car, and turn around—only to see Elena walking toward me. Oh, she’s the last person I want to talk to right now.
Her high heels clack against the pavement before she stops in front of me, catching her breath, and I only now notice how round her belly is. Wait, is she pregnant? With a tight dress like this, it’s almost impossible to miss. I frown, looking at her belly for a moment too long, and Elena clears her throat and places her palm on it, making me look up at her face.
“I heard what Yuriy said.” She frowns, pretending to look worried. “Is it true that you have a child?”
What? As soon as I hear it, my whole body lights up as if set on fire. I keep Misha away from my family’s eyes for a reason. It’s enough that Father and Yuriy don’t let him live in peace. Now, she’s gonna tell the Italians, too?
“It’s none of your business,” I say as coldly as possible, trying to keep my emotions at bay, and turn around to my car when Elena catches my elbow.
“Wait, no, that’s not—Sasha, stop! I have a message from Louis.”
As soon as she says it, I freeze in my fervent attempt to get out of her grip. Why would Elena have a message from Louis? What does she know?
“What did you just say?” I turn back to Elena, and she huffs in relief and finally releases my arm to wipe her forehead. It looks like her pregnancy is taking a toll on her energy level, but I don’t really care.
“I said that I have a message from Louis. He wants to talk to you.”
Louis wants to talk to me? I raise my eyebrows. Is this a joke?
