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Out of pity or instinct, Alisa supplied the name. “Taya.”
Lev gave a brief nod before continuing. “We met at Malek’s. She told me to wait for her at the docks.”
“Why would she spare you?” Andrei asked, his voice edged with suspicion.
The boy reached for his shirt, setting off a wave of reactions. Weapons were drawn in unison, even by Alisa, who usually avoided fights.
“What’s up with you all?” Lev grumbled, clearly annoyed, likely referencing a previous encounter with the fierce warrior currently recharging her batteries, bundled in my lap. A smile lit my face, and I suddenly couldn’t care less about the man.
Despite my disinterest, Lev attempted to lift his shirt again, this time with slow movements, revealing the mark. Traitor. I had come across that mark many times before, never in a good light. Not a smart move, my man. Not when your intentions were already being questioned.
Annoyed by all these interruptions, these loud rumbles, I dismissed him. “Sit down.”
“The next person through that door better be Mila,” I muttered, more in hope than humor.
Andrei shot me a look, clearly displeased with how I’d spoken about his wife. I loved my sister-in-law, but this wasn’t the time for pleasantries.
“Malek’s dead,” I finally announced, trailing my fingers through Taya’s hair.
Lorenzo’s eyebrows shot up, his forehead wrinkling in disbelief. “She killed him?”
For God’s sake. I tried to calm myself, closing my eyes, but it was like he was shouting directly into her ear. I shook my head at his ignorance. “Not exactly.”
“Whose blood is that?”
“His,” Taya answered, her voice faint.
Her eyes opened, bloodshot and tired, but they found me. With a crusted hand, she gently traced my outgrown stubble. In a room full of people,it still felt like the most intimate moment we’d shared. No words were spoken. No one dared interrupt us or they would be next.
Sitting up took all her energy, so I strengthened my hold, not letting go. I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to.
She received the silent message. Taya pressed a ghost of a kiss to my neck, keeping her hand intertwined with mine. Still in my lap, she made herself comfortable, facing the room.
“Lev,” she acknowledged the man sitting across from us first out of concern for his safety.
When her gaze found Lorenzo, he sighed. “You’re going to drive me to an early grave.”
“I’d rather not,” she replied with a grin.
“Everybody,” she turned to the rest of the room, “it’s been a while.”
“For the last time,” Alisa scolded her like a child.
“I don’t promise, but I’ll try,” Taya answered, offering her a warm smile.
The two of them were close now, sharing a sister-like bond.
“To answer your question, Ravager killed him.”
Ravager?She meant Orest?
“Who now?” Luka demanded, leaning forward.
The room fell silent. Taya turned to me, her gaze sharp. “Care to fill us in?”
I sighed, keeping my tone steady. “A guy I know from the military. We served together.”
“Did you now?” she shot back.