AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Vladimir springs up, pulling out his gun and pointing it at me.
I don’t even flinch. “Killing me will only bring Anastasia’s funeral forward. My men will make it their mission to find and make sure she disappears once and for all.”
“Not if I kill them all.”
“What makes you think all of my men are here, Vladimir? Maybe a few of them are on Anastasia’s tail as we speak.”
“Why now?” Sergei asks. “Why didn’t you play this card before?”
“Because I get to use it for two purposes now.” And it’s my last card against him, Vladimir, and Rai. If the three of them are by my side, the others will fall in line, too.
Igor would follow Sergei’s lead. Mikhail usually goes with the flow. Kirill and I already exchange information and he’s my ally, especially with the secret I’m holding over his head.
That only leaves Damien, but I’ll find a way to rein that wild horse in sooner or later.
“He deserves death for threatening you.” Vladimir presses his gun against my temple. “Let me kill him,Pakhan.”
“I’m not threatening myPakhan. I’m suggesting a deal. If you want me to find Anastasia while keeping it under the radar, I will.”
“You can?” he asks slowly.
“Yes. All you have to do is give the order.”
I see the exact moment Sergei decides that I’m worth more than the stupid rules, that my system and my existence is one of the brotherhood’s greatest assets.
I see the exact moment he trusts me again, even though he would never admit it aloud.
He just motions at Vladimir with a hand. “Sit down. Adrian is talking.”
By the time I leave Sergei’s office and Vladimir’s vexing presence, a weight has been lifted off my chest.
It’ll take time, but the rest of the brotherhood will go back to being the chess pieces on my board. They’ll continue to be part of my system as they have been from the beginning.
As I’m walking down the hall, my feet come to a halt when I perceive movement in my peripheral vision. In a heartbeat, I’m surrounded by Lazlo, his underboss, Nicolo, and a few of their guards.
Nicolo points his weapon at my stomach. Isn’t it the day of being held at gunpoint?
Lazlo glares at me. “A word, Volkov.”
32
Lia
I’ve had a horrible feeling ever since Adrian disappeared with Sergei and Vladimir.
They wouldn’t hurt him, right?
From what Kolya told me, it was Vladimir who punched Adrian and sent him home looking like that.
Should I go talk to Rai about it since she’s close with Vladimir?
No.Adrian wants me to have faith in him. Besides, they wouldn’t do something to him with all these guests present.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
I sit down at a table, cradling a glass of champagne that Yan fetched for me. I feel so much better knowing he and Kolya are around.
“My, my, if it isn’t the woman of the hour.”
