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Mo is the one I'm betting on, but does he have the information we need?
"The Godfather of the Night did not care enough to ransom the child back. How is the offense worth making mortal enemies of the bratva?" Larry asks.
My grandfather didn't value my life, but my uncle did and still does.
Content to let me do my thing, he ignores the San Francisco Golubevpakhan'sdemands to turn over the executioner. He also ignores thepakhan'soffers of money and territory in exchange for a promise of safety for his men from thepalach.
Never going to happen and Constantin will never ask for it.
"The only mortality being faced in this war is by the Golubev scum." There are no innocents among the Golubev Bratva soldiers and their allies.
Every one of them stinks with the shit clinging to them from the skin trade. They kidnap, torture, buy and sell human beings. Adults and children alike.
Larry's eyes narrow fractionally at my words, reflecting raging fury before it disappears and his gaze is once again soulless.
Interesting. The reaction was there, even if it is gone now. For a man like him to react implies a more personal connection than allies.
I do not lose my cool when allies of theÁdis Adelfótitaare threatened. But for my brothers? And now, Lucia? I will burn down cities.
Chapter 25
LUCIA
When Atlas doesn't come back inside after thirty minutes, I go outside to look for him. There's no one there. Not the men he said he wanted to talk to.
Not Atlas.
His swanky SUV is gone from the parking lot too.
I text him.
Lucia:Where are you?
Biting my bottom lip, I wait for him to answer. Five minutes later, I go back inside. Where is he? There's no reason to be worried. Atlas is a grown man and can take care of himself.
But what if those men are bratva? I should have told him my suspicions so he would be more cautious.
Only how do I explain my ability to spot Russian criminals without revealing my own past, or making up some ridiculous story that would feel like acid on my tongue to tell?
I do one of my usual walks around the club to take the temperature of the room. It's more crowded than it was earlier, and people are having fun.
The dancefloor is more than half full. Two men have stripped off their t-shirts to dance with their oiled pecs on display. Atlas will be mad when he sees them and if he follows the pattern he's set, he'll demand they put their shirts back on, or leave.
But he's not here to go caveman on my customers.
My phone buzzes in the hidden pocket of my dress. I pull it out.
Atlas:Had to do some work for my brother. I may not be back tonight.
Disappointment fills me, but my text reply is all happy, happy.
Lucia:Okay. Talk soon. [smiley face emoji, kiss emoji]
Atlas:I will be there tomorrow morning, if not before. Be good.
I take a picture of the shirtless men dancing and send it.
Lucia:Maybe I'll do a little dancing myself.[dancing woman emoji, devil emoji]
