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MISHKA
“How can we ever thank you enough?” Alina’s mother asks as her blue eyes—so much like Alina’s—land on me for the first time. And though we’ve never been properly introduced, Natasha Sakharov steps forward to pull me into a hug.
I’m stunned by the gesture, my shoulders stiffening as my eyes snap up to meet Sergio’s, but the Pakhan simply beams at me, his head nodding approval. Viktor, too, bears an expression that balances somewhere between newfound respect and gratitude. And I know that saving Alina’s life was the best decision I’ve ever made—and not just because the world would be a darker place without her.
It’s clearly brought me closer to her family, and I find it makes me more conflicted than ever. I should be reveling in their praise, taking advantage of their gratitude, but all I feel is overwhelming guilt. Because I don’t regret saving Alina, and that comes dangerously close to betraying my brother.
My eyes link with her soft blue ones, and she smiles as I give her mother’s back an awkward pat.
“It was nothing. Really,” I assure them as tension builds in my chest.
Alina’s mother steps back to wrap her arms around her daughter’s waist. Alina returns the gesture, resting her temple on her mother’s shoulder.
“Keeping her alive and bringing her safely home is far from nothing,” Sergio insists gruffly, stepping forward to offer me his hand.
My stomach plummets at the thought of shaking hands with Sascha’s killer. But to reject him would be a sign of utmost disrespect. I can’t refuse him without raising suspicion and destroying the good grace I’ve found myself in.
Locking down my emotions, I extend my hand, and Sergio grasps it firmly with both of his.
“We owe you a great deal for protecting Alina. It seems you’re our children’s guardian angel, and I intend to see you properly compensated for your service,” he booms.
All the while, I want nothing more than to release my rage on my mortal enemy who stands casually before me. But I can’t. Not right now. Even if Sergio is perfectly at ease, his men still silently surround us, ready to put me down at a moment’s notice.
Not to mention, I can’t wrap my mind around the outpouring of gratitude. Somehow, it would seem despicable to kill a man while he and his family are in the middle of thanking me so openheartedly.
What is wrong with me?
“Will you use one of our guest rooms to get cleaned up while we send for the doctor? We can provide you with fresh clothes, and I’d like to have your wounds attended to at my expense. Then I intend to discuss what kind of role you’re suited for within the clan because you’ve proven more than worthy of a position of trust.”
Over Sergio’s shoulder, I see Alina’s face fall ever so slightly before she recovers, but I keep my gaze steady on her father’s.
“Thank you, Gospodin. I’m honored,” I say, using it as an excuse to remove my hand from his grip so I can place my palm over my heart. He’ll think nothing of it combined with the show of respect. All the while, it twists like a knife in my gut to stand before him like this.
“Think nothing of it, my boy. Viktor, will you show your friend to one of our guest rooms and ensure he receives everything he might need? Send one of the staff to fetch him new clothes. We’ll replace your suit as well,” Sergio adds. Then, he turns his attention back to Alina. “Come, zolotse. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I watch as her parents guide her up the stairs toward her room. Viktor slaps my shoulder, drawing my attention, and when I turn my head, I catch his knowing look. But he doesn’t ask what happened between me and Alina during our time in the woods.
“Come on, I’ll show you what room you can use,” he says.
I fall into step beside him as he turns the other direction, leading me to an entirely separate wing of the house.
“So, you and Alina were the only ones who made it?” he asks as we walk.
I nod. “As far as I know. One of us got shot as soon as he stepped out of the car to see why your car stopped. The driver and another guy died when those men on the ridge opened fire. I have no clue what happened after we started to roll. Knocked me out cold since the airbags didn’t deploy. All I know is the one man who didn’t get shot before we went over the cliff wasn’t in the car when it exploded. My guess is he got launched through the broken window.”
“Damn.”
“What about your car? We couldn’t tell from down below.”
“Driver managed to plow down enough of the men blocking us that we blew through their barricade. It was a hell of a firefight, and we lost one of ours. But we managed to either gun them down or send the bastards running in the end. By the time we started looking for you, your car was just a ball of flames…”
I nod. “It went up fast. I barely had time to get Alina out and retrieve a first-aid kit.”
“Hey.” Viktor stops me in front of a door and grasps my shoulder. “I know I give Alina a lot of shit, but thanks for looking after my sister, man. She’s one in a million—just don’t tell her I said that.”
I smirk, though I know better than he might realize just how rare a woman Alina really is. “Of course,” I say gruffly.
Viktor jerks his head toward the door. “Get cleaned up. I’ll have some clothes waiting for you on the bed by the time you’re done.”
