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And it felt like everyone knew—except me.

The only thought running through my head was that something had happened to Roman. That this was the end.

“What the hell is going on ?” I snapped, jaw clenched, boiling with—what ? Dread ? Fury ?

“We found a deal with the Italians to get Roman back,” Grigori said, watching one of our boats disappear into the horizon.

“A deal ? How ?” I demanded.

Before I could get an answer, two cars suddenly pulled into the dock, stopping just a few meters from us. The three of us immediately drew our guns, aiming at the newcomers.

Three men stepped out.

Two were unfamiliar.

The third… Abbiati ?

I opened my mouth to ask what the hell he was doing there when a fourth man stepped out. And there was no mistaking that son of a bitch’s face.

Antonio Rasili.

“The Ivanov brothers, almost all present,” he said with a smirk, nodding to Abbiati.

Abbiati walked around one of the cars, opened the trunk, and dragged something—no, someone—out.

My brother.

And I barely recognized him through the blood covering his face and body. Every muscle in my body tensed. Sasha cursed beside me.

“Alright, here’s my part of the deal. Where’s yours ?” Antonio asked, crossing his arms.

Our part ?

I glanced at my brothers, but they remained locked on Antonio and his men, unflinching.

“If you give this son of a bitch anything, I swear I’ll disown all three of you,” Roman suddenly rasped, coughing, making me grimace. “I’ll take Elif and disappear to some island far away from you all,” he chuckled, voice wrecked.

“Oh, shut up, mutt,” Antonio sneered, kicking my brother in the stomach.

“Antonio,” Grigori growled, stepping forward—But stopped when one of Antonio’s men pressed a gun to Roman’s head.

“Where. Is. Your. Part ?” Antonio bellowed, saliva nearly foaming from his mouth like a rabid dog.

I was about to tell him there was no deal— When the sound of footsteps echoed through the stacks of shipping containers.

And then, right in the middle of us and Antonio—

A small silhouette appeared.

And my world collapsed.

“Rafael !” I roared, moving to grab him— But suddenly, I was on the ground.

What—?

“I’m sorry,moybrat. Everything will be alright,” Sasha murmured—before jamming a syringe into my neck.

I snarled and slammed my elbow into his temple. I shoved him off and pushed myself up, staggering toward my son Then Grigori tackled me.