“Mariano and Dad aren’t like us! If they screw this up, the Miami family will come for them specifically. And let’s not forget the Russians here. Are you all insane? I can’t protect them twenty-four seven!”
Bay turns again, this time her smile softer. “You’ve carried too much for too long, Malec. You’ve forgotten you don’t need to handle all their human mess, too.”
She’s echoing Myko now. I inhale deeply.
“And why do you think we’re coming with them?” Pedro adds, calm as ever. Not a single damn in sight.
“I feel sorry for Alessio. Having to deal with you two as a duo every day must be hell,” I mutter, exhaling hard. “Taking out Ivan really ends the deal?”
“No wedding, no alliance. So yes.” Pedro’s grin widens, not even bothering to get back at me for the Alessio comment. “Even better—we make it look like Fedor’s side turned on him. Pin it on them, clean and easy.”
I blink. “Nowthat... is something I can get behind.”
And for the first time today, I mirror his grin.
We’re driving into one of those New York streets they never put on the map—historic mansions with silent guards and blood money tucked behind every iron gate. I don’t need to ask to know it’s probably part of the Morozov’s territory—bought out few mansions, thinking they’re too good for the sewers they crawled out of. Classic.
Pedro pulls into a spot along the curb, breaking off from the convoy following Dad’s car up the street.
“Your mom’s putting all the guests into a nice... nap before they enter,” Pedro says. “Mariano and Matteo are scrubbing the CCTVs. Once that’s done, we make the big entrance.” He glances back at me. “You’ll get your meal, don’t worry.”
He’s way too pleased with this plan.
But damn it—it’s a good one. If we pull it off clean.
A ping sounds from Pedro’s phone, and the atmosphere in the car instantly tightens.
That fast?
“Malec, you and Bay go on foot from here. I’ll park closer and go in with your dad, just in case they need to fry someone—or something.” He cuts his eyes toward Bay. “They ran into a minor issue.”
Her brows furrow.
“I’ll be fine,” he reassures her. “Just being cautious. Apparently, Fedor locked up his daughter because she tried to escape, so they added extra guards.”
Bay sucks in a breath. “Poor thing. I know what it’s like to be born to shitty parents.”
“We won’t hurt her. Promise.” He leans forward, kissing her with a lingering press.
I groan and step out of the car.
“And to think you have to be inside her when they do that... I don’t envy you,”I mutter to Myko, fighting that disturbing image out of my mind.
“Tell me about it,”he grumbles.
I avoid him as I scan the street. Everything seems quiet and peaceful, but I know better than that.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, tuning in to the nearby human souls. Preparing for any scenario. I hear hums, faint ones, further down the road… but then something closer cuts through. A rhythm—offbeat. Something’s wrong with this one.
I take a few steps down the sidewalk toward the sound. Eyes still closed, focusing on the unique melody of that voice. It’s soft, almost sweet, but breaks with a strange disturbance every few seconds. I’ve never heard a human soul whisper like this. Another wave of whispers brushes against me.
I think—
“Malec.”
Bay’s voice pulls me back. My eyes snap open as I turn to find her standing right behind me.
“Where do you think you’re going? You can’t just wander off here. If one of their men recognizes you, the plan turns into a war zone.”
