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Sorokin scoffs. He picks up a cracker from his plate and bites it in half. The sharp noise echoes in the room like an insult as he chews it.
“Your actions have already been questioned, Nikolai Gennadyevich. This cannot continue. I will inform Anatoli Popov and Dmitri Chuikov of what has transpired. They’ll decide how to intervene.” He pauses and then adds ominously, “You should choose your next steps wisely.”
My mouth goes dry, and I take a sip of water. We knew this wouldn’t be easy, but I hadn’t anticipated this. If Sorokin tells the other pakhans about what’s happened, it may even ignite awar between the Bratvas, and our families will be caught in the crossfire. It’s clear to me that pleading with Sorokin is our only chance to avoid catastrophe.
“Radomil Ivanovich, please.” I speak up, desperate to salvage the situation, though I sense Nikolai glaring at me. “We just need your protection while Nikolai’s plan is being implemented. We need time.”
“Your presence alone is causing problems.” Sorokin’s patience is thinning. “The clock is ticking, and you’ve run out of time.”
“Please reconsider.” I speak calmly, though my knees shake under the table. “This conflict could escalate into a full-blown war, causing destruction that no one could have imagined.”
Nikolai remains silent, perhaps knowing that I might be able to sway Sorokin in a way he can’t. The weight of responsibility feels crushing, but I push through my fear.
“Give us seventy-two hours,” I negotiate in desperation. “Just seventy-two hours for us to sort this out before you speak to the other pakhans.”
Sorokin studies me with an inscrutable expression. A tense silence stretches between us, and I hold my breath, praying that he’ll see reason.
“Very well,” he finally says, his tone devoid of emotion. “Nikolai Gennadyevich will have seventy-two hours. But there must be a price if he fails. Something to ensure his cooperation in the future.” His gaze narrows, and he’s about to demand something unthinkable.
“Me,” I blurt out, surprising even myself. “I’ll be that price.”
What have I just signed up for? But there’s no going back now.
A dark look passes over Nikolai’s face, and I feel a shiver of unease run through me. “Eden, no!” Nikolai shouts. “You won’t do this.”
But Sorokin ignores him and focuses his stare on me.
“Very well, Eden Zakharovna.” A cruel smile lifts the corners of his mouth. “I agree to your offer. I will even be generous enough to take you atyourword, and permit yourself freedom in these seventy-two hours. And if Nikolai Gennadyevich fails to resolve this situation in time, youwillsurrender yourself to me, so that he will know to never do so again.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I try to process what I’ve just agreed to, but I force myself to meet Sorokin’s gaze with a solid determination that challenges his. I have to believe that we can put an end to this conflict before it’s too late—not just for Nikolai and Zakhar, but for Mercy’s sake.
“I promise,” I whisper, sealing my fate.
“No!” Nikolai’s voice booms as he disrespects Sorokin. “Her life is not a game for you to play with!”
Sorokin raises an eyebrow at Nikolai’s outburst, but his gaze never leaves mine. “I believe it was Eden Zakharovna herself who offered the exchange,” he remarks evenly. “In front of her father, no less. Not you.”
“My daughter shouldn’t have to suffer for our mistakes,” Zakhar speaks quietly. “It isn’t fair.”
“Life rarely is, Zakhar Sergeyevich,” Sorokin replies, leaning back in his chair. “Besides, something precious will ensure your commitment to ending this mess swiftly and efficiently. Perhaps this should have been the deal all along.” He touches hiswineglass to his lips. “Your daughter will be my guest, not my captive. I’m an old bachelor who only wants to live the rest of his life in peace. Her honor will remain intact around me. You have my word, which is more than what I can say for either of you.”
I swallow hard with relief, but the dread is steadfast, and for a moment, I feel as if I will faint from the pressure.
“Go. Both of you.” My ego overcomes my fear. “I have faith that you will succeed in time.”
Nikolai opens his mouth to protest again, but Zakhar raises a hand to silence him. The anguish is etched deep in his expression, but he understands the necessity of my decision. We’ve come this far.
“Then we are agreed.” Sorokin stands from the table. “Your seventy-two hours start now. I hope you don’t come to regret your decision, Eden Zakharovna,” Sorokin says ominously. “I expect to see results at the end of seventy-two hours—one way or another.”
37
NIKOLAI
I stepinto the guest room on the ground floor, and the rain has stopped, but the sun refuses to come out. Eden stands by the casement window, her silhouette outlined by the filtered daylight through the sheer curtains. We’ve all decided to wait here until Vito calls with the Lanzzare decision. There’s no point in leaving until we know where to go next. But I wanted to leave. Sorokin’s words tossed me into a fury.A pakhan leads, not blames. But his assumptions about my actions don’t upset me as much as what Eden did.
“Why did you make that decision without talking to me first?” I demand.
She turns to face me, and I instantly regret the tone of my voice when I see her troubled expression. “Nikolai, we can’t keep running from place to place. Please swallow your pride and accept Lanzzare help.”
