AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re going to hop on board with her plan just like that?” Adrian exploded.
Not even his raised volume could break the stare between Talia and me. It was suddenly hard to draw a proper breath. All the other reasons I’d spent hours denying came surging to the surface. I kept Talia alive because this wasn’t her doing. Of all the blood I had on my hands, hers I couldn’t bear to shed. It made me weak, and until I figured out this strange hate-desire that was festering inside me for this woman, I didn’t want anyone to see my weakness.
“Won’t the hateful cunt catch word of what you’re doing and take to ground or flee the country?” Viktor asked as he rubbed his chin, looking at where his sister was already clicking through the computer.
“He can try, but he’s fast running out of moves.” I jerked my chin at Adrian. “Suit up. We’ll take Daniel and Philip and hit the streets.”
I was already leaving the room when Viktor called out, “What about her?”
There was only oneher.
I stopped mid-step. “Where does she have to go? Her plots have run their course, and there’s nowhere for her to hide.”
“I’m not leaving my sister alone. No offense,” Viktor said, voice light, but the jab was palpable.
“None taken,” Talia said, a flash in her eye as she smiled at Viktor. Then a second emotion crossed her features, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. It made my heart skip, an unwelcome reaction.
At the same time, Sophia responded tartly to her brother, “You bunker down like a lord in his castle, and still you’re susceptible to attack. Do I have to remind you of what happened during Christmas break?”
“That’s never happening again,” Viktor ground out.
“Stay or come, it makes no difference,” I barked, interrupting their spat. I needed to move away from this space. This banter between siblings was a wound in my chest, raw and sensitive.
“Great, I’ll take you to my weapon’s room,” Viktor offered, a smirk on his brutal face.
Following the Bratva warrior, I felt Talia’s gaze on me. I didn’t risk a look back, afraid of what I might see...and what I might feel. Adrian sulked after us. He wasn’t the best fighter, but his bloodlust needed sating. It wasn’t like leaving him here would be a smart thing to do, either. I didn’t blame him for hating Talia because he saw her as guilty by association, but killing her wasn’t something I was going to allow.
Down a long, ornately decorated hall, we approached a door with a tight security design. Tapping on a screen, Viktor let us into the room. The shelves, lined in crushed velvet, were full of a dazzling array of weapons. Adrian let out a low whistle, the sight enough of a distraction for even his tortured mind.
There were duffle bags, and Viktor grabbed one, tossing it to me. “Suit up.”
I nodded, and the Russian left. He really was a warlord, exactly the type of man I could see myself becoming friends with.If I wasn’t damaged and unable to be friendly....
“How do we know we can trust him?” Adrian asked quietly, running a finger reverently over a compact semi-auto.
I tapped on my side, still sore from the gunshot wound. “He owes me.”
Adrian snorted in derision. “I doubt that’s enough.”
“It’s blood that binds us now.” I hefted the bag full of guns and made my way to a cabinet, knowing it would be stocked with bullets. Telling Adrian that we would now be in the Russian’s debt wasn’t on the agenda. If my brilliant cousin hadn’t figured out that this was a give and take agenda, then he obviously wasn’t on his A-game.
Adrian armed himself quickly, face tense. His silence was damning of his condition. It was quite possible his jovial side had died with my sister. While I felt sympathy for his wrath, I needed to make sure he didn’t hurt Talia. If anything, he should take his anger out on me. This mess was on my head.
We made our way to the side of the house where the garages were. There was the shuffle of gravel, and my chest pinched as I looked up quickly. But it was our host...not my wife.
“Here.” Viktor tossed me a key. A piece of paper was clenched in his other hand.
I caught the key and jerked my chin to the paper. “Is that our list?”
Viktor nodded, handing it over. “My sister is a genius on the virtual battlefield.”
“Pass my thanks on to her,” I said, holding the Russian’s dark gaze.
“And your apology for being a dick?” Viktor asked bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.
I pursed my lips. “Yes.”
Viktor nodded once. I was aware this was the only warning I would have to be more respectful in his household.
