A minute later, a man speaks into the receiver. “Yes.”
“Are you Glen Amaranov?”
“I was.”
“And now you go by Glen Gustav?” I can’t keep the anger out of my voice. This man caused destruction and chaos, and he’s affiliated with the man who wants my girl.
“Yes.”
“Tell me everything you know.”
“Who are you?” he spits into the phone. “How do I—”
But clearly, Makym’s ready to make him talk, for I hear a thud and an oof into the phone. “You speak to him,” Maksym growls in the background. “Now.”
“Fine,” the man says, then Maskym must threaten him because he amends his tone. “I’m sorry. Yes. What can I answer for you?”
“The woman you took to your father. Her name was Calina Brague? Tell me what you know.”
He sighs. “They are twin sisters. Calina was under my care, and her sister went to you so you wouldn’t hurt her sister.”
Crazy, brave, strong girl.
I want to find her and kiss her for her bravery even while I want to shake her for doing something so dangerous.
“Go on.”
“My father wanted Calina. He told me he made a proposition you refused.”
“Of course I fucking refused,” I agree. “Go on.”
“He asked me to find her and fetch her. My father and I were estranged, but he offered to pay me. So I thought I could fool him by giving him her sister. Only she didn’t take too kindly to that. She… flipped out. And his men shot her.”
I take in a ragged breath. “Why did she call you?”
“She was checking on her sister.”
God.
She wasn’t calling her man. She was calling to check on her sister. She bore my unrighteous anger and begged me to listen to her.
I close my eyes and grip the phone tighter. Grateful I didn’t punish her further for what I thought she did. I would never be able to forgive myself. Even what I did is unforgivable.
Realization dawns on me, crystal clear.
I told her that her sister had been shot at Amaranov’s.
If I know her, she didn’t do what I told her. She didn’t leave and save her own ass. This is the woman who laid down her own life for love of her sister.
Beautiful, headstrong, fierce girl.
“Put me back on the phone with my brother.”
Maksym comes on the phone.
“I let her go,” I tell him. “And it was a mistake. If I know her, she’ll go straight to Amaranov.” I’m already getting dressed. I need to get there first. “I’m on my way. Tell our brothers to be ready for what goes down.”Chapter 20The estate looms in front of us, guarded with a locked gate. Of course.
“Is this where you want to go?” the driver says with trepidation. “I can’t go further.”
“Here,” I tell him. “Yes, thank you.” Clutching the bag Demyan gave me, I take some money out and hand it to the driver. “You took me into the city. Understood?”
He nods. I step out of the car. My mind teems with all I’ve learned today, but I can’t focus on any of that. On Glen. Calina being shot. Amaranov.
The way Demyan kissed me before I left.
None of that matters now. All that matters is getting to Calina.
I refuse to believe she’s dead. I won’t, until I hold her limp and lifeless body in my very own arms.
It’s an easy matter of getting past the lock at the gate. Hacking 101. I override the locking mechanism, and quickly slip through the gates when they open. I make a path through the thick trees that surround his estate, my movements quick and lithe, my head tucked down so that cameras won’t easily see me. Soon, none of that will matter, but for now I need to move.
This is a big estate, and it takes me some time to get the basic layout. After several minutes of quietly walking the perimeter, I finally find what looks like Amaranov’s office. A large desk sits behind picture windows.
Is she even here? What did they do with her after they shot her? I need to find Glen. Hell, if I could even find Amaranov… I don’t have any weapons or even a phone, but if I could just get to him…
“Stay right there.” I freeze when the low command comes from right behind me. I turn my head slowly to see the scowling face of Maksym. And Jesus, he’s got Glen with him. The traitor. The fucking traitor. I hate him. I’ll kill him.
I turn to face them.
Maksym’s holding onto Glen and glaring at me to stay put. He held me down once before, at Demyan’s command. He could do it again.
“Oh I’m not going anywhere,” I tell Maksym. “Do me a favor? You’re so good at holding down people who deserve punishment…” my voice trails off as both men look at me curiously. I rear back, then slap Glen’s face so hard his head snaps back, and my red handprint paints his cheek. I want to beat him, but a beating right now would draw attention to us.