Page 186 of Celestial Combat

“I’m sorry I have trust issues with men. Get in line.”

“You could’ve gotten killed. I’m here to make sure this,”– his hand came up and pressed flat against my chest, right over my heartbeat –“Never stops.”

“Because my brother would kill you next.”

“No,”he said.“Because I wouldn’t be able to keep breathing… knowing I’d never see these gorgeous brown eyes look back at me.”

I blinked.

Jump.

The word grounded me. I swallowed hard. My fear shifted – less panic, more resolve.

“What happened to her, Trevor?”

“My parents paid her off.”

The words landed like a slap, sharp and unexpected. My vision blurred instantly, tears gathering faster than I could blink them away.

“She was found dead a week later. It’s why we left Tokyo.”

A hollow ache bloomed in my chest, slow and spreading like poison. I clutched onto Zane’s arm around me without realizing it, needing something solid.

“That why your family was so nice to me? Guilt?”

I frowned, confused.

“Who killed her?”

Trevor’s jaw ticked once, stubborn as stone.

“Who killed her, Trevor!?”

“My parents weren’t alone when she saw the murder,” Trevor finally said, his voice flat. “They were with the Bratva.”

“It’s true,” I whispered, and my voice nearly cracked.

“You know the Yakuza did business with them back then,” Trevor said, calm despite the circumstances. “My parents didn’t kill her,” He went on, more insistently. “But you know the Russians aren’t as forgiving.”

Tears streamed down my face without sound.

Zane’s voice cut through, cold and ruthless. “Which Bratva Clan?”

“The Aslanovs.”

“Who was present?”

“The Pakhan. Underboss. And three soldiers.”

“Names.”

“Ilya Aslanov. Aleksandr Ivanova. No idea about their men.”

Zane started backing toward the jet, his steps slow, deliberate. His arm was still tight around me, gun pointed squarely at Trevor.

“Where you going, Zane?” Trevor called out, but there was a shift in his voice now – cautious, calculating.

“You already know,” Zane said, voice low but lethal.