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Alex’s father was my father’s favoriteBrigadier. He died in the attack that claimed my father and brothers’ lives as well. It brought us even closer together, strengthened a bond that was already ironclad. But for the first time, there’s something I don’twantto share with him.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Sure.” Alex drawls the word, adding too many syllables to count. “You have a kid—ason. WithLyla Peterson. You’re bringing them home with you, and we both know what the consequences of that will be. But there’snothingto talk about. Got it.”
My patience thins to nothing. “Did you actually need something?”
Alex exhales. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were coming. You made one trip to Philly, and all hell broke loose. You should hear the chatter on the streets right now.”
I don’t bother to acknowledge the first sentence. There’s annoyance saturating his voice, but no genuine surprise. Because we both knew I’d show up in Philadelphia after he called me.
Anyone elsewouldhave been surprised by the lengths I’ve immediately gone to. Morozov protection is a luxury most have to beg or barter for.
If Bianchi or Dmitriy or anyone else discovered what I just did before I found out myself, I have no doubt they would have tried to use Lyla and Leo against me.
I also know they would be unsure it would work. If I’d care.
My teeth grind as I take a turn too fast. “Anything I need to know?”
“No. Mostly just speculation.”
“Let me know if that changes.”
“I thought you’d want me to be on the next flight.”
“No.”
There’s a pause, and I know he’ll ask to come back.
“Lyla hasno ideawhat she’s gotten into, Nikolaj. She must be scared and overwhelmed. I know you need to act a certain way, so let me—”
“I’m handling it. Stay in Philadelphia.”
A second sigh, laced with frustration.
I have other men I could leave in Philadelphia to monitor the mess made, and he knows it. But Alex basically begged for this assignment.
Aside from his reports to me, he enjoys normalcy. He gets as sick of this life as I do, but he has a choice. I never have. Loyalty to me and his family is the only reason he hasn’t left the Bratva.
But it’s not just loyalty to me in his voice. He has the luxury of acting human. And I’m worried Alex will make Lyla less reliant on me.
It’s selfish.
Her life was just uprooted.
But I need her to trust me. To tolerate me at the very least. And that’s much more likely to happen if she has limited options of other people to turn toward.
I’m guessing Alex knows that, but he doesn’t say a word.
“I called in a favor with Callahan. He cleaned up Bianchi’s men and has men packing up the apartment. They’ll have to stay here until I get everything sorted.”
“Cleaned up? You gave akill order? OnItalians?Here? And now, you’re relying on theIrishto clean it up?” Each question drips with more incredulity.
The tall gates that mark the entrance to the estate come into view up ahead. They’re impossible to miss, the first sign of anything man-made in miles.
“I have to go. Keep me posted,” I say, then hang up.
Press down on the accelerator harder.
