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The moonlight risesthrough the curtains, casting an eerie glow across the carpet. I sit on the edge of the bed, unable to sleep. When there’s a knock on the locked door, I scramble to get dressed and then open the door. A guard stares stoically into my face as Eden hurries into the bathroom.
“Mr. Budanov wants to speak to you, sir. Alone.”
I’m led down a hallway toward the front of the house into a room where Zakhar is in the study, poring over an old-fashioned roadmap. Ignoring me, his brow furrows in concentration as I stand by the table.
“You asked to see me?” I take a seat across from him.
“I have a lead,” Zakhar says. “But it’ll take a day to chase it out.” He stares at me with a dark scowl, debating on what to say next.
Just as I’m about to respond, Zakhar’s phone buzzes on the table. He picks it up and exchanges a few words with the caller before hanging up. “That was Vito,” he announces. “Christian Genovesi has agreed to the meeting. You’re to show up at the Lanzzare mansion to discuss terms for getting Mercy back and possibly ending this feud.”
I inhale louder than planned as I lean back in the straight wooden chair. “What is your opinion on this matter?”
“The matter being that Eden thinks we should ask for Lanzzare help to get Mercy back,” he replies, sighing as loudly as I did. “She’s right, Nikolai Gennadyevich. If we can get Mercy back, we can build a defense with the Lanzzare help. And I believe it’s our best chance against Alexander and Gunsyn, given the state of the Starukhin Bratva.”
“What’s your lead?” I ask, staring at the marks he’s made on the map. I’m relieved it’s a map of the Eastern Seaboard and not a European or Asian country. Mercy must still be in the United States.
“She may be in Maryland,” he replies, “and we can drive there without being detected.”
“Finally, some good news,” I mutter, though my heart beats with anticipation. I feel responsible for dragging Eden into this mess. It’s true. The innocent girl I met is long gone, and I played apart in it. “I intend to marry her. I didn’t at first. But things have changed. Our feelings have changed.”
“I want what is best for my daughter,” Zakhar replies, staring at the map. “And I still believe the Bratva is the worst choice.”
“So, you do not support me?” I scoff. “Should I never turn my back on you?”
“Remember, Nikolai Gennadyevich,” Zakhar says, his voice cutting through my thoughts. “You’re not alone in this. I want my revenge too. I’ll do whatever it takes to get Mercy back and protect the Bratva from those two traitors.” He pauses. “Let’s not talk about Eden. I’ll watch your back until this is over.Soglasno?”
“Soglasno.” I hold out my hand, and he shakes it. “Thank you, Zakhar Sergeyevich. Your loyalty means more than I can express right now.”
“I’m not doing this for you.” He looks down at the map again. “We leave in an hour. We can’t afford any more delays.” My phone buzzes incessantly as we gather our belongings and prepare for the journey. I glance at the screen, my expression darkening with each new message.
“Bad news?” Zakhar asks, bracing for the worst.
“From Pavel,” I tell him grimly as we load the SUV. “Gunsyn and Alexander are leading attacks against our allies within the Bratva. They’re picking us apart, one by one.”
“Chyort vozmi,” he curses under his breath. “We need to act fast, before Sorokin finds out.”
“Agreed,” I respond. “First, we secure Mercy’s safety. Then we can regroup and plan our next move.”
We head out into the night. While I drive, Eden falls asleep in the back seat while Zakhar checks his maps. My adrenaline rises, though the danger is imminent. A storm is brewing, both within and outside the ranks, but I won’t be taken out. I refuse to lose the legacy my brother and father died for. I will give my child its birthright. I will be pakhan and no one else.
“Remember,” Zakhar says. “Whatever happens today, we stand united. We will face the future when it comes.”
“United,” I echo, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I have to trust someone. I just never thought that it’d be you.”
With that, I press down on the gas pedal, speeding us toward an uncertain fate.
38
EDEN
The soft murmurof their voices lulls me to sleep as the SUV heads to New Jersey. I try to focus on the conversation between Dad and Nikolai but slowly find myself drifting off in the back seat. I’m not quite sure when I finally fall asleep, but when I wake up, the SUV has stopped on a long driveway in an upscale neighborhood. Blinking my eyes, I sit up and stare at a brick colonial mansion with white columns, which looks cozy compared to Sorokin’s creepy castle.
“What time is it?” I ask, stretching as I yawn.
“Almost ten o’clock. Have you been here before?” Nikolai asks as he opens the car door for me.
“No, never,” I reply, stepping out of the SUV. “I don’t know this side of my family.”
