He looks doubtful.
“He does not know better. He barely knows how to use a computer. I will teach you these things. I will teach you everything you need to survive the bratva. Or if you don’t want this, I will help you escape. Your choice. You have choices. And you have me. Don’t forget it.”
“I want to stay and learn from you.” Mika’s voice is clear and strong.
I nod. “Good. So it will be. Don’t be afraid.”
“I’m not,” he lies.
We get to Victor’s luxury apartment building and are let in by the bratva guards at the door. Victor owns the entire building, but he’s made the top his penthouse. We take the elevator up and I knock on the door.
One of the brotherhood answers and greets me. “He’s waiting for you in his office,” he says in Russian. He eyes Alessia with interest, and I put my hand on her nape and draw her closer, showing ownership.
Here she can’t be my bride.
Just my property.
“Ah, Vladimir,” Victor greets me, standing up. We shake hands. “And who is this?” Victor stands in front of Mika, looking down with a warm, grandfatherly air.
“Mikhael Popov.”
Victor cups one side of the boy’s face. “Brave boy, living alone in America. You have everything the brotherhood requires.”
This is the Victor whose acceptance and attention I craved so badly as a boy. The one I tried so hard to make myself worthy of, to impress.
Mika’s not so easily won. “Spasibo.”
Victor smiles and straightens, turning to Alessia. “And your Italian prize.”
I work hard not to tighten my grip on her nape. He must read my ferocity because he doesn’t try to touch her.
A tap sounds on the door and Sabina enters. “I heard you were bringing an American guest. May I borrow her? To practice my English?” To Alessia, she says, “Would you like to join me in the kitchen for a coffee while the men do the man-talk?”
Dammit.
I didn’t tell Alessia that Sabina would be here and her poker face sucks. The surprise is unmistakable.
“She is surprised at your English, my dear,” Victor says, squeezing Sabina’s hand. “Yes, take the girl away. I’m sure she’ll be happy for a reprieve from Vlad.”
I release her reluctantly.
I don’t like this. Not even a little bit. And I can’t even figure out a way to send Mika with her to keep an eye on things.
“Don’t worry,” Victor says. “She can’t escape my home. I have men at every exit.”
My paranoia is full speed because I’m not sure whether that’s intended as a warning to me, or a comfort.
I force my expression into something more agreeable and nod. “Go ahead,” I say stiffly to Alessia, who shoots me a furious look before she follows Sabina from the room.
I pull out a chair and sit opposite Victor at his great desk. Time to show him I’m still worth keeping around. And the sooner I do it and get out of here, the better.
Alessia
What. The Actual. Fuck?
Why is Vlad’s ex here, leading me to the kitchen?
I’m uneasy as hell. I don’t like being separated from Vlad, especially because I know he was uncomfortable about this meeting. I was kept out of mafia business, but I know enough to know that murder and double-crosses happen all the time.
There’s a chance Vlad’s about to be killed.
Or I am.
And I sure as hell don’t trust Sabina or her fake syrupy politeness. She leads me into a lavish kitchen and makes me a cup of instant coffee in the microwave.
Disgusting.
Seriously, Russians need to learn about espresso machines. Today.
I sit at the breakfast bar and pretend to sip it.
She sits beside me, too close. I try to scoot away, and then I realize she’s not elbowing me, she’s trying to pass me something.
It’s a cell phone.
“Victor said you are prisoner,” she murmurs. “This is burner phone. You can call your family for help.”
My fingers tremble as I reach for it and tuck it in my purse. Is this some kind of test? What’s her angle?
“Why are you giving me this?”
“I know what it’s like to be held captive by bratva. To be a woman without options.” The pretty blonde suddenly looks ancient.
I go still, my suspicions ebbing away. This much, I believe. “Were you captive of Zima?”
She looks over, surprised. “Vlad told you this?”
I nod.
“What else did he say?”
I consider how much to reveal. I want to know the truth about this story. “He thinks you tried to trick him into killing Zima.”
“Yes. He’s right. Zima was violent man. Cruel. He never let me out. So I looked higher in the organization, sought someone not afraid of him. I tried Vlad. He holds important position in the brotherhood. Is untouchable, they say. The most powerful, second to Victor. And they say he’s the wealthiest.” She twirls a gold and diamond bracelet around her wrist. “This is important. I wasn’t risking my neck to downgrade my condition.”