AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His gaze hardens, the rage pooling in his eyes frosts my insides. And once again, I’m struck dumb at the physical likeness between Danil and our little girl.
“You really think that telling me I have a daughter is gonna save you?”
He draws the knife out of his pocket slowly and holds it up in front of my face. The blade is stained a deep red that looks fresh. My stomach wrenches. It seems like it’s just been used, but on who? How many of the guys outside did he kill before making it into the secured and alarmed house? And who the fuck gave him the code?
So many questions fly through my tormented mind, but damn, I never thought these would be the ones popping between my ears if I ever came face to face with the father of my child.
And because of the sheer terror lodged in my throat, I can’t make my mouth utter a single one.
“I don’t walk away from unfinished business. I came here to kill you, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”
My baby girl is going to have the image of her filleted mother lying in a bloody puddle branded into her young mind forever.
A scream bubbles in my chest. I clap a hand over my lips before it can escape. It will only make things worse for Daniela. And it’ll make me look weak and pathetic. I’ve played that role too much in the past, and it’s not a good look for me.
I need another tactic.
“My brothers will believe me if I tell them we were together that night.” I finally find my voice and cringe at the desperation dripping from it. “I can save you from them.”
“I don’t give a fuck about myself. They killed my mother. And I’m gonna avenge her death, no matter what.”
Daniela cries out again. “Mama!”
Tears sting my eyes. “I promise you they didn’t kill her.”
But truthfully, I can’t be sure. I’ve been out every night either performing or attending private engagements since it’s my first trip to Miami in almost two years. Uncle Isai has helped watch Daniela, but I also have my babysitter, Gigi, traveling with us so I can network and make appearances.
But Petro and Hadeon have also been out every night, doing God only knows what.
I never asked, and they never volunteered any information.
And with my brothers, anything is possible, especially with Hadeon.
His uncharacteristic silence earlier still gnaws at my gut, and it is entirely possible that they know more than they’re saying.
Hadeon believes Danil killed my father and has vowed to get revenge since our lives were turned upside down after the murder. Uncle Isai is in his corner, but Petro has held them both back. He’s more practical and knows we’d never recover from that kind of war.
Hadeon and Petro claimed to tag along on this trip for protection, but the reality is that since Tato died and his organization crumbled, the Moroz family is old news. Other rival clans have been in a power struggle back at home to claim the throne, and without a respected and feared leader, we’re not exactly a threat…especially to people here in Miami.
So there’s obviously another reason why my brothers insisted on coming.
And since they know the Malikovs live in this city, I have to believe their intentions weren’t solely for protective purposes. I’d also like to hope that as the level-headed brother, Petro has been keeping Hadeon out of trouble. But I don’t know if I trust them to stand down.
Because let’s face it, they fell short at the concert hall when that sicko approached me. Hell, even my own bodyguard Bohdan, who’s under their supervision, dropped the ball.
My brothers’ shock at seeing the headline about Irina Malikov’s murder could have easily been a bullshit ruse to throw me off their real plans.
It might have very well been my family who put me here tonight, staring at the bloody blade of a knife, and into the eyes of a grieving madman.
Thank God I gave Gigi the night off so she could meet up with some friends since I didn’t have plans after the show. Otherwise, she might be dead right now.
“I know the truth.” Danil steps closer to me. He lays the cool steel blade against my collarbone.
“No, you don’t.”
Daniela screams again, her bellowing giving way to full-fledged cries. I press my fingertips to my forehead.
“Look, I’m begging you. This is all a mistake, and we can fix it. I promise.”
