Page 9 of Blood, Bones, and the Bratva Bogeyman

“Lisichka,” I purr when I answer.

“Konstantin? Are you okay?”

The worry in her voice has me straightening in my chair. “Yes. Why? What is wrong?”

She blows out a heavy breath. “This is ridiculous.”

“What is?”

“This freaking bond. My head started hurting and then my nose burned, but there was nothing wrong with me. The only conclusion was fate’s stupid interference. What happened to you?”

Her rambling rant is cute as hell.

Fuck.

“Just a little nosebleed,Lisichka.”

“Okay then. Talk to you later.”

“Wait.”

Cressida sighs. “What?”

“Have dinner with me?”

“Sorry, I can’t. I have a date already.”

I don’t have to look at the screen to know she ended the call.

Wily little fox.

Misha steps back into my office with our brigadiers, and I push Cressida from my mind for now so I can focus.

My men stand tall with their chins up and their arms folded along their backs.

“Today, we have learned that the Reaper drug has claimed another life. I want leads. We need to find out who is producing this product and putting it on our streets. I want names. Bodies, preferably. I will not be picky. The drug is not safe for our people. Rurik Stepanov has to bury his son because I was negligent and not paying attention. There will be no more.”

I pull the knife I keep sheathed at my side and run it through my fingers. It’s an intimidation tactic as much as it is also a soothing one. They don’t flinch, their eyes steady on mine without a hint of fear. “I do not care how small the lead is. Bring it to me when you have it.” They lower their chins to their chest in acknowledgement of their orders before meeting my gaze again. “At ease, gentlemen. Now, tell me what is going on in your worlds.”

I relax back into my office chair, listening to my men, confident that I will find anyone who dared to defy me. And if they are not, then I will have to go hunting.

The shadows that they play in are my sanctuary. The darkness is a comforting embrace of secrets, mystery, and power. It’s where I live, where I thrive, so it is only a matter of time before I find their hiding spots and drag them into the light.

A thrill of righteous triumph surges through me, anticipating the sweet justice that awaits as their day of reckoning nears.

four

Cressida

Ifthereisoneperson in this world that I trust with all my secrets, it would be Sunniva Carrington. Sunni for short. My best friend since birth. I’m not sure if platonic soulmates are real, but if they are, Sunni and I are it.

“What’s going on in that brain of yours, doll face?” she asks, throwing herself back onto my couch.

“This bond with Konstantin . . . it’s more than I expected it would be.”

“Tell me.”

I sigh, leaning my head back on the couch. My head still pounds from whatever it was that caused it for Konstantin. This bond crap is still new, and I didn’t think that was how this worked, but I’m learning that there was a lot about them that stories left out. Like the fact that my vagina spontaneously combusts anytime our eyes freaking connect. It’s inconvenient, if I’m honest. Who wants to a weepy pussy in the middle of an event?