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My father had seemed so angry with me then, but still held my hand through it all. I would have thought it was all for show too, but even in the car he never let me feel alone. It wasn’t until I started to paint her that he really lost it.
Those thoughts only dredge up more painful memories and I have to keep telling myself to take deep breaths so I don’t hyperventilate and send myself into a panic.
Not here. He will never see me like that again. My father reaches for me but drops his hand when I back away. He nods, knowing I haven’t felt a gentle touch from him in almost eight years.
“I’ve always had a feeling I would die in this war. I just want to make sure that when I do, I die fighting for the right side.”
I pull out my phone and bring up the notes app to write a message for Damien to read. He takes my phone and nods before telling my father how I feel.
“You were right about one thing. You are going to die.”
I pull out my gun and aim it at his head, but he doesn’t flinch. “Then at least let me tell you where they have her. So you can maybe stand a chance against him.”
My hand shakes and Damien rests his fingers on my shoulder. “It’s your choice, babe. Do whatever you need to do.”
I know if I killed him right now, neither of them would hold it against me. But I can’t risk this information going to the grave with him. Even if it is a lie.
I drop the gun and Damien gestures to my father. “Tell us.”
“She’s in Switzerland. The mountainside facility to the west of Trugberg.”
“He built a facility that can blow up at any time into the side of a mountain?” Damien asks in both fascination and horror. Havoc told us some of his locations were nearly impossible to get to, and this feels damn near impossible.
Speaking of the sarcastic assassin, he walks into the room at the same time that Damien’s phone rings. He answers it, walking to the side of the room as Havoc confirms our newest fears.
“Lizz just got word. He’s telling the truth. She has an idea of how we can get her out, but we only get one shot at this.”
“There’s more you need to know,” Ivan says. “Adrik placed another tracker in her, he put it in the back of her leg this time.”
Alexi is nearly vibrating with rage as Ivan speaks, and I will knock him the fuck out if he thinks he gets to take the hit out on my father when he wouldn’t let me.
“It gets worse though. Rostya found the ring around her neck while she was passed out. He put a tracker in that too. Fused it to the metal of the band.”
Okay, I take it back. Alexi can hit him. I feel like we are all about to lose our shit for a hot second before Damien hangs up his call and comes to us with a grin.
“Akio is with us. We’re going to have fucking ninjas!” He pumps his fist in the air. “This time, they won’t see us coming.” Damien adds in a few movements of what I assume are his idea of ninja moves as I glance around the room.
Alexi steps up to him. “Did you take the bank deal with his father?”
“No,” Damien scoffs.
Thank goodness.Chen is not known for being a reasonable man, and his deals always end up going sideways.
“I took the deal with his son.”
I tilt my head back with a sigh as Alexi goes on a fuming tirade.This is going to be fun.
My father moves closer to me while Alexi and Damien are yelling. Havoc is talking with Boris and Nessa about a plan.
“Why aren’t you talking, Son?”
I clench my jaw and stare at him. After a minute, he looks down.
“Alright, that’s fair.” When he looks back up, it’s with a renewed energy.
“I want to make a promise to you. I know I messed up. But every day that I have left on this earth, I swear to you I will work on making up for the pain I caused.”
My hands are shaking as I take him in. My father was never overly loving, but I do remember feeling loved. I remember him bringing my mother and me snacks while we painted, and he always admired my work. The more time he spent with Rostya, the less loving he was. I’m nowhere near forgiving him, but if he was being manipulated I could see the why behind some of it.
