Page 58

CHAPTER 57

ANASTASIA

The house is empty and quiet, except for Hades snoring on the floor nearby. His presence is comforting, especially now that I know he could take care of any threat that might come near me.

I’m lost without Miki and I am petrified. Something doesn’t sit right with me. My gut is screaming that something is wrong.

Zoya tried so many ways to get between me and Miki. Did the pregnancy tip her over the edge?

I can see in her eyes, she isn’t stable.

The more my thoughts spiral, the more I debate phoning Lara. She might understand.

It startles me from my tea when my phone rings.

“Ana, this is Enzo. There’s something odd about the feed from Zoya’s house. Do you feel up to a field trip? I won’t be able to make it that way for a few hours.”

“Um, sure. I can go look. Where am I going?” I pat my leg to make Hades follow me.

Mikhail might have pissed me off when he left, but I’m not going anywhere without the dog now.

“There’s a camera in the hall and another in an office area. Neither registered any movements when Galena was taken, but I can’t see why.” His voice sounds distant over the ticking of his keys.

I grab the spare set of keys from the wall and use them to open the smaller house.

I don’t know what she was complaining about, this place is still ten times bigger than the tiny apartment I lived in with my mother for years.

“Okay, where am I going?” I wander through the living room to find the only hall near the kitchen.

“Yea, I got you on the feed. Take that right, and look up towards the end. You should see the camera up on the wall.”

Following his directions, I step around the corner and can see something up near the ceiling.

“Wait!” he yells. “Where did you go?”

“I’m in the hall, like you told me to be. There’s something stuck up there. Like, a piece of paper.” I can see it taped over the lens.

“Fuck.” His exhale whispers over the speaker. “You disappeared as soon as you would have come into this view. Okay, check the office too, please.”

“Come on Hades.” I step through a closed door, but don’t see anything really amiss. “What am I supposed to be looking at?” I ask Enzo.

“There’s another camera above the desk. It’s hidden though in the smoke alarm. Can you send me a picture of it?”

I can’t really see anything wrong with it, but I send the photo.

“Damn it,” he groans. “They swapped it.”

“Who?” I have a hard time believing Zoya did this.

“There was this one angle when Galena was being taken. It looked like she was smiling up at the guy. I didn’t think anything of it at first. See if you can find anything else?” He clicks off the line.

What is going on?

Rifling through the papers on the desk, I find a small stack of letters bundled in the back.

They’re all addressed to Zoya, and show crease marks like they’ve been folded tightly.

When I open the first one, I almost drop it.

All I can focus on is the signature.

Ivan.

Scrambling, I redial Enzo.

“What did you find?” he asks calmly.

“She’s working with him!” I shriek.

Fumbling through the pile, I find one of the older ones from before she left Russia.

—I’m so glad my housekeeper moved next door and found you. Getting to reunite with my daughter has been everything I had hoped.

I’ve found Sergy ’s daughter. I know by taking her, we’ll be able to draw Mikhail back to Russia.

Once he’s gone, I’ll be able to give you anything you desire ? —

My hands shake, I’m so angry.

“Tell me what you found.” His voice cuts through my spinning thoughts.

“He found her, in Russia. They’ve been talking for months.” My words come out in a jumble.

They kidnapped me just to get Mikhail? Is that why Zoya made him bring her over, to get closer?

What the hell is happening?

Housekeeper. I bet it was that bitchy old lady who was fitting my dress.

I knew I hated her.

“We have to save him.” I blurt. “He’s never going to come back if we don’t.” Pain in my heart nearly drops me.

I can’t lose him. He’s my entire world now.

“I’ll get the guys together. Go back to the house, I’ll send Jax over to hang out just in case.” Enzo sounds like he’s furiously typing.

“No, fuck that. I’m going. He’s my man. I’m not going to let that bitch hurt him.” I stomp to the main house, Hades on my heels. “I’d rather Jax go with me. I know he’d keep me safe, and can help knock that crazy woman down if needed.”

I’ve come to absolutely love my brother since I’ve gotten to know him, and his wife.

These are my family. I’m not going to let Zoya mess this all up.

Enzo sighs. “Okay. I’ll get the jet ready and rally the troops.”

“Good. I’ll be ready within twenty minutes.” I go directly upstairs and start packing.

I might be pregnant, but I’m not broken.

I’ll gladly fight to save my husband. And as much as I hate Zoya, it will be a pleasure to see her fall.