Page 22 of Darkest Sin

“What?” I’ve never heard my soft spoken sister sound so shocked before.

“Yes. To a man named Mikhail Novikoff. He worked with Father. He killed Antoni to save me from having to marry him. And to save any of you from having to marry him. I’m at his house now. I know it’s a lot. But I’m safe. Ok? You don’t need to worry.”

She lets out a slow breath. “Well, at least you’re safe. But when can we come see you?”

“Not for a while. Once Denis finds out, he won’t let you leave. It’s not safe at the moment. Tell the others but don’t tell Denis. Try to hold out for as long as possible. I’m hoping Mikhail can do something about him soon enough.”

“Ok. This has all happened so fast. Dad’s funeral was only a few days ago.”

“I know.” My throat tightens at the memory. “I know. And I’m a little scared, I’ll admit. It’s all so new for me. It’s a lot of change for all of us. Just try to be safe. You and Sasha and Ana. I can’t lose any of you. And help Mom out. She’s being strong but she can only take so much. The moment I can see you again, I will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She gasps. “I hear Uncle Denis on the stairs. He’s calling for me to come down.”

“Then we’ll say goodbye. For now. We’ll talk again. I promise.”

“Bye, Natalya.” The pain in my sister’s voice makes a few tears escape my eyes.

“Bye, Irina.”

When I hang up, I notice that my hands are shaking. I just have to hope that Denis wont hurt any of them for the decision I made. That didn’t even cross my mind until right now. Mikhail made it sound like choosing him would instantly save my family but now I’m not so sure. With me gone, there will be no buffer between Sasha and any man Denis wants for her. Irina is seventeen, so she’s safe for a year but a year isn’t a long time. Denis could marry her off if he wanted to.

There’s so much uncertainty and I’ve put my trust into a man I barely know.

Mikhail

The strip club is upscale and well kept. I’ll give it to Nico. He knows how to make the experience of strippers a classy one.

I’m lead into his back office by two guards. They confiscated my gun but I figured they would. I’m here to talk with Nico himself. See if we can come to an arrangement about this war we’re currently in.

Nico’s office is typical. High black leather chair that makes him feel all important. Large desk that makes up for his probably small penis. I wouldn’t know since I’ve never seen it and I don’t intend to.

I just hate the guy so it’s easier to assume he has a small dick to make myself feel a tiny bit better.

“Mikhail,” Nico says, leaning back in his seat. Of course he doesn’t stand up to greet me.

“Nico. You stole one of my gun shipments.”

“Did I? Oh. How inconsiderate of me.”

“Lost me millions.”

“Oh?” He smirks as he motions for his guards to leave us. Nico is around the same age as me with similar features except his eyes are brown and his skin is slightly tanner. We could almost pass for brothers. How fucking ironic is that?

“I’m here to discuss a working relationship. If we worked together rather than apart, we could accomplish so much more.”

Nico thinks on it but I know he’s not really thinking about it. He’s too stubborn. “It’s a good idea. But the issue is, I don’t fucking trust you.”

“And you think I trust you? You just stole from me.”

“And you stole one of my drug shipments the other week. Lostmemillions.”

“So, we’re in the same boat,” I say. “Instead of fighting and costing us money, let’s work together.”

“You really want to work with me?”