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A loud cackle erupts in the room. At first, I’m unsure who is making the distressing sound but then Luka’s head snaps back, his eyes are wild, and his mouth wide open. A howl of laughter lifts from him laced with grit and mocking. The tension in the room is pulled taut as he laughs in Antonio’s face.
Humiliation blooms on Antonio’s cheeks before his jaw tightens, and he turns away.
“Laugh all you want Luka, but you will do this if you want to protect Kate. Introduce me as the new face of the Bratva and you can take your beautiful plaything off wherever you want.”
Antonio’s hand, now resting on my shoulder draws Luka’s gaze. He slides his hand down my plunging neckline toward my chest. He snorts, “Of course, I’m hoping you will refuse so I can bend this lovely thing over my lap and put a bullet in your head as she watches.”
As much as I try to hold it in, a small whimper escapes the thin line I’ve pressed my lips into. Luka’s punishing gaze snaps to mine as he addresses Antonio.
“Touch her again and I will end you.”
It’s Antonio’s time to laugh, his slithering through the air before it chokes and dies off. He reaches up to yank my gag out of my mouth tossing it near the chair beside me. “I’ll let you think on it,” he says striding to the door, pounding twice before the screeching sound reverberates off the walls for a second time. A thud bangs and another clink sounds as the door locks back in place.
“Kate.” Luka pushes my name with a sigh. “Tell me. Are you hurt?”
I shake my head. My mouth is dry and my headache throbbing, answering is too much effort.
“Words, Kate.”
“I-I’m fine. Just banged up from the crash.” I leave it at that, my headache is the least of our problems right now. “What about you? Are you okay?”
“Fine.” Luka snaps, immediately trying again, softer, “I’m fine. I’m sorry Kate.”
“It’s not likeyoukidnapped me and tied me up.” I meant it to be reassuring, but Luka’s face falls and I wince at accidentally bringing back that memory. “You know what I meant. Us. You didn’t kidnapusand tie us up here. But I do need you to give it to me straight. How likely is it I’m going to die?”
The look on Luka’s face would be funny if we weren’t on the verge of being tortured. He scoffs, “You will not be dying Kate. I will not let that happen.” Sharpness cuts into what he says. “But Antonio is only partially correct. Yes, it would be easier for him to take the Bratva from underneath me if I’m alive and vouching for the deal. But once that happens, he will want me dead.”
“How do you know that? He tried to kill you before. Do you think he will really let you go?” I say. I mean, I don’t even understand why a bunch of Russians would work for Italians and vice versa. “I thought it was all about blood and families. How does he get to come in and demand respect from your men?”
Luka smirks. “Typically they wouldn’t, but information suggests his brother is petitioning the Cosa Nostra because Antonio is unfit for his position. Antonio’s despicable side business won’t survive without an organization.”
“What side business?” I swallow, a gut feeling telling me I know the answer.
“Women. He traffics women.”
I knew that was the answer, and yet, irritation spikes. Organized crime takes what they want when they want it. What makes the Cosa Nostra worse than the Bratva? If it wasn’t Antonio, it would be another organization. They are infections seeping out of the pores of the nation, eating away at decency and humanity.
Tears prick behind my eyes.
“Why do you live this life, Luka?” This is the most inappropriate time to ask him this, but I want to know. I’ve fallen for Luka, the man, the respected leader, the loyal friend. I can’t pick and choose when his position is convenient for me. It’s all or nothing with him.
It’s as if I smacked him. “Kate, I was raised in this life. Morozov blood runs through me. It is my heritage, my birthright, but more than that it’s my duty.” He gazes into my eyes. No matter where he is in a room, they pierce straight into me. “My father warned me about this.”
“About what?” I ask. My interest genuinely peaks. He doesn’t talk about his father. I’d never thought I’d hear him quote him.
“It’s strange what desire will make people do. I never dreamed that I’d meet someone like you. Actively avoided it for this, this right here.” His head rolls in a half circle around the room. “He warned me that personal relationships create storms within our organization. The whole organization could be on fire ready to implode, but I’d still choose you over putting it out. It makes me weak—I have a weakness, a crack in the facade of a strong front. You.” He slouches, murmuring until he forfeits his heart.
“You. You are my weakness, my everything Kate.”
Tears stream down my face now. Blood roars behind my ears. But he continues to take my breath away.
“The two paths in my life have met a point. My love for the Bratva and my love for you.”
A sob heaves through my body.
Chapter52
Luka
