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“No, I don’t speak Russian,” Sean says. “But I put it into a translation software.”
“What were they saying?” I ask, not sure why he didn’t just come to me, since Iactuallyspeak Russian.
I keep my eye on Callum, attempting to get a read on what he’s not saying. He and Sean have already listened to these tapes, so if he’s still stressed about them, it would give me a clue.
He’s not upset or tense, but I can tell by the crease over his eye, the way his lip crinkles in disgust, that whatever was said is enough to gather us here. It’s enough to piss him off, and that has my stomach in knots.
What could they want with Saoirse? She’s involved in this life as minimally as Callum can manage. She’s not a man, so there’s no threat to the Bratva …Oh, Jesus Christ.
That knot turns into acid, and it burns my insides. “They’re claiming her,” I say out loud, my heart beating so fast in my chest. I want to scream and rage, to kick and fight, and most of all, I want to murder anyone who comes near her.
Callum’s face remains blank. The only indication that he knows what’s happening is the slight darkening of his green eyes. My face goes numb.
“Tell me I’m wrong, Callum,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm, though I’m anything but fucking calm.
I can feel the temperature of my blood rising. I’m on the precipice of exploding from the inside out, and I have to get a hold of my emotions. Overreacting will give away my true feelings for Saoirse. Feelings I haven’t even admitted to myself, let alone to her, and I’m certainly not about to let the entire room know.
“You’re not wrong,” Sean says in a low voice. “The Boston Bratva is falling apart at the seams since their pakhan was murdered. Anton Vasiliev is the pakhan in New York, and he’s seeing an opening to take over the city.”
“How old is that fucker? And he wants to marry Saoirse,” Declan says, a growl rumbling from deep within his chest.
“Not Anton,” Callum says, pulling a sip of his liquor before he continues. “He has a son, Vladimir Vasiliev. He thinks the marriage between Saoirse and Vlad will give his son grounds to take Boston.”
“Has he come to you with this?” Saoirse asked. “You’ve told him no, haven’t you?” She brushes the backs of her hands against her skirt, and her throat bobs.
She’s anxious. I intend to show her she doesn’t have to be nervous. I’d never allow it to happen. Even if Callum entertained the alliance with a marriage, I’d stop it.
“Of course I told him no, Saoirse. I think he’s taken it upon himself to make sure we don’t have a choice,” Callum says.
Saoirse nods, her pale face turning even whiter. “What do we do?” she whispers.
Callum’s gaze remains on me. He may be speaking to the people in the room, but I know that when he opens his mouth, the message is made for me. “We send them a message.”
I chew the inside of my lip, standing taller. Then, I fasten the button on the suit jacket I’m wearing. “Hugh?” I ask.
“I think Hugh was collateral. Whoever Anton sent to take Saoirse failed, so they took it out on Hugh.”
“The man from last night?” I ask. He’s been kept at the warehouse for safe keeping. I haven’t had a chance to make it over there, yet to question him.
“I already took care of him,” Declan says. “It was clear he wouldn’t speak, and when we got wind of Vasiliev being behind it, I cut the dead weight.”
“Well, fuck,” I groan. “We need to find one of the men who attacked Hugh.”
Callum turns to Saoirse and squeezes her knee. “You’re here with us because this involves you. I wanted you to know what’s happening. I know you don’t normally like to be involved in these meetings. We’re going to be discussing some things that you may not want to hear now. The choice to stay or go is yours.”
She shakes her head, no. “I’m staying.”
Callum nods, the corners of his lips turning up in approval.
“There’s a Russian that hangs out by the docks,” Declan starts. “His name is Dinara. He’s given me information before. I can get names.”
“Good,” Sean says.
“Get them and give them to Scotty,” Callum says, his gaze on Declan.
Declan scrunches his face. “She’s our sister, I will do it.”
Cal pinches the bridge of his nose. “I said Scotty will do it. That’s final.” He stands from the couch and walks toward me.
