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“He is, and he’ll remain that way until I think he’s had enough.”
“When will that be?”
I glance over at her. “I haven’t even started yet. Right now he’s strung up and waiting. He can fucking stay that way. He’s being given just enough water and food to keep him alive.”
“What happened to all the women?”
“I heard this morning that several of them have already been in contact with their families and a flight is leaving this evening for Europe. The women at the mansion are also being taken care of, and Oksana took the offer of rehab and money. She didn’t want to go back to her family, and since they’re the ones who gave her to Konstantin in the first place, I can’t say I blame her.”
“I always felt bad for her. If I’d had access to drugs or alcohol, I would’ve been using it as an escape, too. As bad as it was for me, I kept telling myself that you all were looking for me. I at least had that hope. I would’ve never survived if I’d been willingly given to him by my own family.”
The very idea has me squeezing her hand tighter. She grabs me back, but she doesn’t stop talking.
“You can leave me alone if you need to take care of things. I hope you know that.”
“The only thing I need to take care of right now is you,malishka. Everything else can wait.”
When I look over, she gives me a small smile. She keeps running her fingers along my palm until we pull up to the Alessi mansion and I need my hand to shift gears. The men at the front, give us a nod as the large, iron gate swings open.
“Damn,” Alina whispers, taking in the huge house and sprawling yard. I don’t mention that my brothers and I threw severed heads onto the nice, green grass just a few months ago when we were pretending to be at war with the Italians, but the memory does bring a smirk to my lips. That might be part of the reason why Antonio hasn’t warmed up to us. He wants expensive suits and tattoos that are hidden and the violence behind closed doors, but that’s not how our Bratva works. With the exception of Roman, who’s had to hide his tattoos beneath his suits so he could get in close with politicians, we’re covered in them. Neck tats, jeans and hoodies, and an eagerness to get our hands bloody has made it hard for Antonio to welcome us with open arms. Dominic’s warming up to us, though. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he gets a neck tat one day.
I park next to a red Lamborghini and turn to look at Alina. “Ready to see your brother?”
“Yeah, more than ready.”
Getting out, I walk around to open her door and then take her hand in mine. I don’t see any guards, but I know we’re being watched, so I’m not at all surprised when the front door opens without us even needing to knock. The older, dark-haired woman smiles and motions for us to come in.
“May I take your coats?”
Her Italian accent is thick, but she’s easy to understand. We hand her our coats and then follow as she leads us further into the house. Unlike Konstantin’s mansion, the Alessi home is gorgeous. The dark wood floors are covered in rugs that are a deep shade of red and sothick I feel like my boots are sinking into them. The walls are a light color, and paintings that I’m fairly confident Katya would be drooling over fill the empty spaces. Even though it’s obvious the Alessi family has some serious wealth, the place feels homey, like it isn’t all for show or to lord over people.
We follow the woman down a hallway, and when she stops in front of a set of double doors that are the same color as the floors, she gives a soft knock before saying something in Italian. I recognize Dominic’s voice when he responds, and he must be telling her to let us in because she gives us both a smile and opens the door, waving us in.
“Would you like me to get you anything to drink?”
“No thanks,” I tell her and then look to Alina, but she shakes her head and gives the woman a smile.
She shuts the door on her way out, leaving us alone with Dominic. Standing up from behind his desk, he walks over to greet us. He’s in his usual expensive suit with what has to be handmade leather shoes, impeccable as always, but I see the tired look in his eyes. I recognize it well. He’s running on hate and his need for revenge—the same thing that sustained me for the last two years.
We shake hands before he turns to Alina. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. I’d like to see Roman.”
“Of course. My doctor said he’s doing much better, and Emily is resting and seems out of danger of early labor.”
Alina grips my hand, but the tension leaves her face at the news. “Thank you for bringing them here and letting them stay.”
“They can stay as long as they need.” His dark eyes meet mine. “I’d like to stay on good terms with the Melnikovs. It’s more beneficial to all of us to get along, so my house is yours for as long as you need it.”
“We appreciate it,” I tell him.
With a nod, he grabs a phone and sends a quick text. “Okay, let me show you where he’s at. We did have him in the operating room, but he’s in a guest bedroom now with Emily. I thought he’d be more comfortable there, and he was pretty damn adamant that she be right next to him.”
“I imagine so,” I say, knowing “pretty damn adamant” is probably putting it pretty damn nicely.
Wrapping my arm around Alina, we follow Dominic out of his office and up the wide staircase. Her steps pick up when we reach the hallway, too excited to slow down. She looks up at me, giving me a soft smile and reminding me yet again that she’s the only thing I need in this life, because as long as I have her, I have everything.
Chapter 5
