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Her skepticism hit me like a punch, but she already moved on. “Alisa, remember that story I told you about a Siberian guy with the smile? In Ilya’s club? The one I met when I was nineteen?”
“The one you lost…?” Alisa’s eyes widened, and I froze.
My hands shot to Taya’s wrists, feeling her pulse race. “The one you what?” I exploded.
Taya ignored me. “Imagine my surprise when he shows up at Malek’s door, calls him his cousin,” she said, still focused on Alisa. “But that was nothing compared to when I found out your brother knows him. Or better yet, he planned the whole fucking night with him.” Taya turned to me, the fire of her stare burning through. “So what? We calling out every guy I’ve fucked now?” she yelled. “It’s getting a little personal.”
“You slept with Malek?” The new guy blinked, confused.
“Keep up,” Taya snapped, brushing off the fact. “Where is he?”
I knew he followed us here. Good. The list of topics to discuss with him kept expanding. I gestured toward the door, silently signaling to Luka. He understood immediately and opened it, inviting the stranger who was likely waiting outside. As expected, Orest walked in. Unlike the rest of us, he looked well put together. He acknowledged Andrei first, showing respect to the leader. The men exchanged a brief greeting while Taya watched closely.
Her reaction to his proximity was instant. She stood up faster than anyone should, leaving me empty and bitter in her absence. Gone was the exhaustion she barely pulled through. No, she’d caught a second wind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered her sudden shift in alertness.
We were all eager to hear the story, but considering I knew him, I didn’t expect her to be this on edge.
As Orest stepped toward the group, Taya positioned herself in his path, blocking the view. With a finger poking at his chest, she went off. “You were supposed to remain nameless.”
“A happy memory,” she added under her breath.
“And aren’t I? Nameless?” Orest countered, a challenge in his voice.
His unwise words were my cue to stand, but I didn’t need to, since Taya had already pushed him back. When he remained still, taking her blows without a flinch, I realized there was history between them that needed to be sorted out. No real danger, aside from the woman letting off somesteam. Whatever she decided next, I’d hand her the tools before I stopped her. I sat back down, watching the exchange unfold.
When Taya grew tired of the same old dance and saw no end in sight, she turned to Ravager’s face.
“Oh, how I’d love to bruise that face. Just like the pictures. In your cousin’s office?”
“Ah, yeah. The golden times.”
A growl crawled from her throat, the sinner in me immediately reacting, but I quickly schooled my expression.
“Sit,” she ordered him. “I’ll deal with you later.” Her commanding voice wasn’t helping my focus.
The three of us: Orest, Lev, and I ended up sitting in a perfect line on the bloodied couch. Like sinners awaiting judgment.
On the opposite side, the jury sat: Lorenzo, my sister, and my brothers.
The judge stood between us, pacing back and forth, a bridge holding us all together.
“Let’s start with you,” Taya addressed Lev first.
The boy didn’t resist, realizing he had no choice. “Okay.”
To my surprise, he didn’t seem afraid, though he should be. More than ever.
“What did you do?” Taya asked, her stare sharp on the mark beneath his bloodied t-shirt.
“I passed information about the next shipment.”
I studied his face, trying to read any emotions he might be hiding, but there was no regret. No sneaky glances. There had to be a reason, somewhere.
Taya walked a circle into the carpet, rubbing her temples. “Complex sentences, please.”
That made me chuckle. A loud, unrestricted laugh earned me a glare that promised a slow and painful death. Even Alisa disapproved. I grinned right back at both women.
“Malek had an operation back in Russia,” Lev explained. “A white meat trade. They lured women out of poverty in Siberia and sold them in Moscow to various buyers.”