I exhale. Allow myself to feel something close to relief.
Then I push off the container and go find the Pakhan.
The Pakhan’s making a run for it. A growl leaps from my throat as I raise my gun, aiming for the table first. The sound of wood splitting stops the old man in his tracks. With careful steps, I move from behind the container, making sure to face him as I raise my gun.
Behind me the sounds of shouting and gunfire start to quiet. The fight wraps up. It all fades as I stare at the Pakhan, whose composure is finally gone. His face bulges as he spits out some words in Russian.
“I think he just cursed at us,” Raffaele notes, amusement in his tone.
The old man reaches for his gun, but I’m already moving. Two shots. One to the chest and another to the head to end it. He staggers back, hitting the floor before growing still.
I stand there for a moment, my chest steady although my pulse is erratic. The battle is over behind me.
I let myself stumble when Elio wraps an arm around my shoulder. I’ve earned it.
“I’ll call the doctor,” Raffaele announces before turning to give the rest of our men clear orders.
They’re to bury the dead, all of them, including the Russians. Our own dead are treated with more care. Their families will be well compensated for their sacrifice.
I took care of another one of your demons today, baby.
Now I just need to make it home.
CHAPTER 24
Lindsay
Leonardo Vitale makes for an excellent cuddle partner. The little boy fits into my arms like he was made to lie right there. I watch him for a long moment, my chest still as heavy as it was when we went to bed.
Matteo didn’t come home last night, despite promising that he would. When he left yesterday, he had informed me that he had to take care of some matters involving the Bratva. I wish he had told me more but he barely gave me any chance to ask questions. One kiss on the cheek later, he was gone, leaving me pacing around the house, waiting for him to return.
When he still wasn’t back for Leo’s bedtime, I decided to start making some calls. But no one picked up the phone. Not Valentina and not even her husband. Valentina gave me his phone number a couple days back so I could call whenever there was an emergency.
Well, Matteo not showing up or getting in touch with us all night had certainly been an emergency. Even worse than his absence is the radio silence.
My gut keeps twisting with every second that passes.
Roscoe was prowling around the house last night as well, watching over us, while waiting for an update. He also hadn’tgotten anything. He’s grown even more agitated with each moment that passes.
I manage to sneak out of bed without waking Leo, pulling on my clothes and padding my feet across the room. I’ve run through every single worst-case scenario between last night and today, each one worse than the last.
Roscoe’s still on the other side of my door. His eyes are a little red from the lack of sleep when I emerge.
“Still nothing?” I ask in a soft whisper.
He shakes his head.
“D-do you think he’s…” I start to voice my biggest, deepest fear, but he stops me by raising a palm.
“All due respect, miss, but I’m superstitious. If you say it, it might come true.”
For some reason that makes me smile. Deep down, despite his little hard exterior, Roscoe’s a gentle giant. I’ve seen how much he cares for Leo and Matteo. He’d do anything to protect them.
“He’s fine,” I say instead, covering up my harsh breathing. “He probably just had car trouble over the night in an area without cell service.”
“Probably,” Roscoe agrees.
I lean against the wall by his side, thinking over the last two days. Since I got over my initial shock about the pregnancy, all I’ve felt is numb. I know I should be doing something. Telling Matteo. Making an appointment with a gynecologist to ensure the baby’s okay. Instead, I’ve been avoiding my problem.
