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I exchange a quick look with Mikhail, taking in the way that he gives me a barely noticeable nod. It’s clear that we’re both still on the same page. Now, we just need to make sure that we don’t slip up.
Our father clears his throat, demanding all attention again.
“Like I’ve said many times now, this girl is important. She matters to the Italians, and that means she matters to us too. We need to keep this relationship between them and us strong, and if that means that we need to step in to help them solve their own problems, then so be it. Take some soldiers with you both, and I’ll arrange for the jet to be ready in the meantime. This girl is thekey to everything, my sons. Do not hesitate to return her to her family once she is found.”
I nod at him, meeting his gaze.
My chest rises and falls as I swallow hard.
“Mikhail and I will do our best to find her, Otets.”
I say, my voice controlled.
His eyes linger on us both for a moment longer, but he doesn’t say anything. There’s no mistaking that there’s a fatherly sense of pride in his gaze, or maybe it’s just the knowledge that he knows what we’re capable of. Either way, it’s enough for Mikhail and myself.
With one final nod in our direction, he turns as he walks out of the gym, his footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving us both with only the sounds of our heavy breathing.
Mikhail barely reacts. His eyes are locked on the space where our father has walked towards, as if he’s considering doing something. When he looks over at me, I see the sharpness in his eyes, the same edge of determination I can feel in my gut.
“We’ll handle this, Nikolai.”
He tells me, his voice low.
I want to agree…but how can I?
It’s too much.
New York to Arizona…sending our soldiers over…working in Cartel territory…helping the Italians…
There’s no point.
We already know where she is; right where we left her.
“We can’t leave her alone for so long.” I rasp out, my mind racing with every bad thought. “How can she deal if neither one of us is there with her?”
Mikhail releases a heavy breath, finally breaking the silence with some words of his own.
“Chiara is strong. She will manage.” Though his voice is steady, I can hear the flicker of confusion beneath it. “We knownow that her mother was killed under the order of a Russian, but we still have a relationship with them. Why?”
He takes a step closer to me, his arms folded across his chest, and his jaw tight as he looks at me.
I release a soft breath, shaking my head.
“I have no idea. The alliance was introduced around the time their new Don rose to power, and we haven’t had any issues with the Italians ever since. I don’t understand it, either. If one of ours killed one of theirs…why are they so eager to maintain this relationship? What can possibly justify this level of involvement?”
There’s a pause as we both think about all these questions.
It doesn’t make sense.
Nothingmakes sense.
To be so heavily involved like this; to beblamedfor it, without any solid proof…it isn’t the way that this is done.
Even for Mikhail and I to be sent all the way to Arizona just to look for her, it’s unusual.
Some things are being kept in the dark, I’m certain of it.
Mikhail’s eyes flicker back to mine, confusion clouding his gaze more now than I’ve ever seen before.