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“She has her in neutral territory,” Dmitri points out gingerly. “Sacred ground.”
“I don’t care,” I reply. “We bring her back today. I want the men and the cars lined up in the drive. Give them their orders.”
“Andrei Vasilyevich …”
“Don’t, Dima. If we can rescue her without gunfire, we will, but I’m not returning without Paige.”
I hurry up the stairs toward Emma’s room and stop outside the door. Viktor stands at attention, eager to prove that his responsibilities are under control. I try not to smirk at his enthusiasm, but I’m more than pleased.
“We are leaving, and you will be left here with a skeleton crew. Keep an eye on the sister. She must stay in your sight at all times.”
“She will not escape.” Viktor nods solemnly. “And no one will take her.”
I glance at the closed door and wonder what’s happening behind it. Emma’s unlikely to sit quietly and wait. “When’s the last time you checked on her?”
His face flushes, and the answer is never.
“I will do it now.”
“She is desperate to leave. Don’t underestimate how much she wants to escape despite her sick father. Learn from my carelessness.”
He nods before I head downstairs. Gerald Reyes is no threat in his present condition, so I don’t bother to check on him. Time is precious to both of us as I hurry downstairs. I reach the bottom step, and something catches my eye.
My sister Sonya is visiting, and I assume she has come to see my mother. She eyes me when she sees me, uncertain if she should say anything. She decides not to say a word and strolls down the hall away from me. Bratva business is of no interest to her, no matter who is concerned.
Outside on the drive, Dmitri and Natasha are briefing the men. Fortunately, Natasha has information on the resort’s layout from her cousin. She also has the room numbers we need to find Paige and Talia. The plan is simple and should go smoothly. But I see uncertainty in the men’s eyes. The rules are strict about the area we’re going to. It is off-limits to violence, but I must get my wife back.
Standing before them, I speak with a passion I’ve rarely shown. “I know all of you are thinking that this is wrong. But I take full responsibility for our actions today. The Nikitin Bratva must be shown that we are strong and will not bow to the whims of a princess. I am a pakhan that cannot be manipulated by childish games. My wife is in danger, and she is my queen. We will get her back. To lose her to my enemy will make me look weak. It will make us all look weak. Are we weak?”
“No, Andrei Vasilyevich!” they shout in unison. “We are strong.”
Pride shines in my eyes. “We go in, we get out. Shoot if you must, but no careless gambles. Let’s show them that the Barinov Bratva is not to be trifled with.”
The men hurry to their Rovers. I want a display of power, and I will soon have it.
Chapter 8
Paige
The rooms are lovely here, with a view of the mountains, and surprisingly, the balcony doors open and allow in the fresh air. In the center of the room is an electric hood fireplace. And though it’s not cold in the evenings, I switch it on and stare into the flames. The room is remarkable, except I’m sharing it with crazy Talia.
All day, she has continued to berate and lecture me on the duties of a pakhan’s wife. Her eyes will occasionally light up, and Talia reminds herself that I said I want to leave Andrei.
“I would suggest going to South America,” she says. “If you pick the right city, he’ll never be able to find you. I could spare a few soldiers to keep Andrei away.”
“No,” I reply curtly. “I prefer spending time by myself.”
My broad hint doesn’t sink in as Talia continues to prattle on about the only place in Twin Rivers where one can get a decent manicure. Unfortunately, being kidnapped again means I have a limited change of clothes. I’m given an outfit from the inn’s gift shop—an athleisure outfit made of thin knit with a long cardigan. Talia smiles approvingly when I sit down to breakfast, declaring her impeccable taste is starting to rub off on me.
Valeri claims his position on the couch, stretching out his legs, and watches us with a smirk. He doesn’t seem to care that Talia is planning her wedding tomyhusband. He keeps scrolling on his phone and mentions the hottest vacation spots.
“Perhaps we should take her to Mexico,” he says, “and dump her at a resort. Then she can decide if she wants to come back or not.”
Talia gives me a sharp look, uncertain if I will go along with the scheme. “No, I have something else in mind.”
I look at her, but she says nothing, plucking a plump strawberry off her fork with her teeth. Sighing, I resign myself to being kept in the dark. Would I waste away on a beach in Mexico, wondering if Andrei missed me?
Get real, Paige. You can’t be in love with him. He’s a heartless criminal who is using you.
