AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Rafael. How are things?”
“If by things you mean Anna, then she’s fine.”
He lets out a long sigh. “I have Una.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
“For how long?” I can’t work out Nero’s angle here. The Italians are the ones who put the hit on Una Ivanov. So is he in on it? Did he set her up to be the fall guy? Was he planning to use both the Vasiliev sisters?
“No one will touch Una. She’s under my protection.”
“Have you informed the rest of the mafia of that?”
“They won’t touch a woman.”
“I don’t think the Italians’ morals will apply to her somehow. She’s not exactly the average simpering housewife. And she’s Russian.” The Italians hate the Russians.
There’s a pause. “They won’t touch my woman.”
I groan. “Fuck, tell me you didn’t.”
“You’re hardly one to talk. I sent you a girl to protect, and you turn around and fuck her.”
“I haven’t fucked Anna,” I growl.
“Don’t give me that shit. You fucking want to.” He sighs. “Look, I have Una anyway. So she’s not coming for Anna. She’s got…bigger problems.”
“Clearly.”
“I’m keeping her locked up for now, but I’m going to have to let her out at some point.”
“You’ve got her…. imprisoned?” I shake my head. He’s fucked her, and now he’s keeping her prisoner. “You, my friend, have a death wish.”
“Yeah, well, at some point I’m going to have to offer her an olive branch.”
“You’re not using Anna.”
“Now who’s imprisoning girls?”
I growl. “Anna is free to leave whenever the fuck she wants, but only when she wants. Not because you demand it, and not because her psycho sister takes her.”
“Careful, Rafael.”
“No, Nero. You be careful. My debt to you is paid. I owe you nothing. Touch her, and you’ll find out just how fucking dangerous I can be.” In my periphery I see Carlos slide his hoody on, his entire body rigid and alert.
There’s a pause, the creak of an office chair, the snap of a lighter. “Calm down, Rafael. I assure you, our goals are aligned.”
“So, what is it you want?” I snap. My patience is running out, wearing thin.
“Una will want to at least speak to Anna on the phone.”
I think about it for a second. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” I’m not going to promise him anything. It’s Anna’s choice whether or not she speaks to her sister.
“Very well.”
“So, it’s safe to go back to the city now?”
