Page 44 of The Bratva King

The SUV turns through a gate that swings open before we slow down. The driveway curves, and the house comes into view, and I give up trying to be calm.

It’s not a house; it’s a freaking compound. Two stories from what I can see, but it sprawls in every direction, low and wide and modern, with pale stone and dark glass. A fountain trickles in a grassy area to the right. Smooth river rock and mature palms line the driveway.

I’m aware my mouth is hanging open and work to close it.

Nikolai parks under a covered entrance and gets out.

I unbuckle Luke and pull him across the center to get out on the same side as me. We step out, and Luke looks around.

It’s excessive. It is also stunning.

Nikolai is already at the front door, which is massive and dark wood. It opens before he reaches it.

The woman who opens it is maybe sixty, compact and solid, with silver hair pulled back tight. She’s wearing a plain navy dress and flat shoes. Her eyes move to Nikolai first, then to me, then to Luke.

Nikolai speaks to her in Russian. It’s fast. No hand movements. Nothing to give me a hint about what he might be saying. I watch her face instead of trying to understand the words. She listens without interrupting. Her expression doesn’t change much, but there’s a slight softening when she looks at Luke again.

She says something back. Short.

Then, she looks at me for the first time and nods.

“She’ll get you settled,” Nikolai says, turning to me. “Galina. This is Ga—Miss Collins. And Luke.”

I look at Galina and smile. “Gabby, please.”

Galina looks at Luke. He stares back at her, doing the usual assessment. Does Galina speak English?

I turn back to Nikolai because I need to establish some things before he disappears. Ground rules. An understanding of what this arrangement is and what it isn’t. I need to know if he expects something in return. I need to know if there are strings I can’t yet see.

“I want to talk about this situation,” I say.

“I have to go back,” he says.

“I know, but I need a minute.”

He looks at his watch.

“I need to know what this is,” I say quietly, aware of Luke standing two feet away and understanding more than anyone gives him credit for. “What you expect.”

He looks at me for a moment. “Nothing.”

“People don’t do things for nothing.”

“Some people don’t,” he agrees. “I’ll be back late. Don’t wait up.”

“Our clothes,” I call out and follow him.

He snaps his fingers. Two men I hadn't noticed step out from the side of the house.

Our things are unloaded and deposited at the front door. I’d be humiliated if I wasn’t so desperate.

Nikolai is in the SUV and pulling away, leaving us to stand with his staff.

“Come,” Galina says.

She rattles something off in Russian to the men.

I follow her inside, taking Luke’s hand in mine. I don’t know if I’m expecting a dungeon or a villain’s lair, but this is neither.