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“Stop!” I hiss, holding Nikolai tight. “Christian, how dare you do this to us? To Uncle Vito. To Mercy. We’re here to save her, and you’re acting like an ass.”
Christian glares at me, but the anger quickly retreats. He smirks at me as if I’m a naughty child, and it makes me hate him. He waves a hand, and the men disappear, but they haven’t gone far.It’s a sick ego game to him, and I regret my part in it. We’ll get nothing from him.
I remember my father’s words about the deep-rooted values of honor, vengeance, and loyalty within these families. They’re intertwined within our lives, whether we want it or not. Without an explanation, I drag Nikolai out of the living room and pull him into an alcove in the hall.
“Listen to me,” I plead, gripping his arms tightly. “You need to calm down.”
“He’s disrespecting me. He disrespected Matvei.” He looks at me. “He’s not interested in helping anyone. Not even his own flesh and blood.” Nikolai’s chest heaves with each breath, and his gaze locks with mine. I hold it, pleading silently for him to calm down. A fragile truce hangs by a thread.
My hands slide from his arms to his hands. “Please try again. We need the Lanzzare to agree to a truce so we can focus on finding Gunsyn and Alexander.” I soften my voice, desperate to get through to him. “He’s bullshitting you. So bullshit back. It’s a pissing contest.”
“I knew this would happen,” Nikolai says bitterly. “I came here empty-handed, and he wants to see me beg. It won’t happen.”
I lower my voice and hold onto him desperately. “Christian cannot rescue Mercy without us. And his honor is at stake if he does nothing. Uncle Vito said as much.”
“We don’t have time to play games,” Nikolai murmurs, his expression clears. He squeezes my hand. “For you and for our baby, I’ll set aside my pride. But I won’t forget what Christian said.”
“Neither will I,” I promise, squeezing his hands gently. “But for now, focus on what we can control—finding those who threaten our family and putting an end to this.”
Nikolai reaches out to cradle my face in his hands. “For the future.” He presses his forehead against mine. “That’s what matters most, Eden. And I will do anything for that.”
“Let’s straighten this out.” My voice is steady despite the turmoil churning inside me.
With a nod, Nikolai takes a deep breath, visibly steeling himself for what lies ahead, and we return to the living room, hand in hand.
39
NIKOLAI
Edenand I return to the living room to find Vito seated in an armchair and Christian lounging on a plush couch, legs crossed. Arrogance radiates off Christian, and I feel the urge to punch that smug look off his face, but the mood has changed. Obviously, Vito has no intention of letting Christian ruin his chance to save his daughter.
Eden and I return to the couch near the fireplace. “Christian.” I keep my voice civil. “I apologize for my earlier behavior.”
Vito shoots Christian a nasty look that he ignores. But I know better now. This is business, and I made it personal.
I continue, “After all, our families will be linked in the future.”
Christian’s lips twist into a crooked frown. He glances over to Zakhar, who smiles widely, baring all his teeth, and that is the only confirmation he’ll get. Christian sits up, resting his elbows on his knees.
“Nikolai,” he says. “Since we’ll be family one day, I think it’s time you learned a little secret of ours.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued yet wary. “Go on.”
“First, there needs to be a show of good faith from your end.” Christian pauses, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. “We have shown good faith by inviting you into our home. And now we request a favor of you.”
“In exchange for what?” I ask. “A visit to your home, though pleasant, is not enough.”
“What else were you expecting?” he asks, eyeing me hard.
“If we can agree on a truce for the next seventy-two hours, I’d welcome it,” I reply. I watch Christian as closely as he watches me. My body relaxes as I lean back and stretch my arm over the back of the couch behind Eden. My hand rests on her shoulder, and that move sends a message that they instantly get—I intend to stick around.
“We will agree upon a truce.” Christian lifts his chin. “After you carry out a kill for the Lanzzare family.”
My heart drops, cold dread seeping into my veins. Are they setting me up? Was this the plan? “Who?” I ask smoothly.
Christian gaze is level, and his cool expression turns into a mask. “Raymond D’Artello.”
Is he making a sick joke? Before I can react, Eden places her hand firmly on my thigh. Gently, I push her hand away and stand up, looking down at each man in turn. They must know what that name means to me.
