Page 41 of Deadly Knight

I rub my finger along the green ribbon tied on my wrist, the very one I took from her the last time we were face-to-face, and the secondary one permanently marked beneath it. It helps ease a bit of that weight my father’s text dropped on my chest.

Ivan

You really thought I didn’t know where she disappeared to? You destroyed our lineage the moment you chose Vanessa. So now, I’ll destroy you, and I’ll be starting with her. Want this to end? Come find me.

My father didn’t agree with my cousin, Vanessa, claiming the role of Pakhan after her papa was killed by the New YorkFamigliaover two years ago. Pakhans are traditionally always male, and with Ursin having no male heir, it would have fallen to me. Which is the last thing I wanted and everything Vanessa was meant for, so I took her side—much to the revulsion of my papa. Ivan tried to use the newfound connection between Zeno Mancini, a Cosa Nostra Capo Vanessa was getting close to, and their shared half-sister, Serafina, to get her to handover leadership. His plan ultimately did not work, and with the help of Lev and Anastasia, Vanessa saved both and captured my father. Then his army waiting in the wings managed to free him, and he escaped our grasp.

Now, he’s running because he knows.

Vanessa underestimated my father’s cruelty, but I’m aware of the kind of man he is. I’ve been living—surviving—the outcome of his actions for too long.

His message is a clear threat, but how and when he’ll act is unknown. If he knows I’ve been stalking her for nearly a decade, then he’s also aware I won’t let her out of my sight, which means he’ll strike at an unexpected time.

Watching Katya isn’t enough. I need to be searching for him, but until we get a trace of where he fucked off to, Toronto is way too large. Canvassing the streets will lead to only dead ends.

For now, I need to lie in wait until he strikes. And hewill, at some point.

With my phone out, I bring up another text thread:

Me

Anything yet?

Lev

Same response as the other four times you’ve asked: No, and I’ll tell you when there is.

Me

He wouldn’t risk hanging around Russia any longer or trying to get in with one of the Five Families now that Mancini is in the picture for good. If one of the Capos talks, and Zeno catches wind, he’d be easy to nab. Focus only on Canada.

Lev

What about somewhere else in the world? European countries. Australia. The US.

Me

He’d be pulling the strings from afar then.

Not the first time he’s done that, but this has gotten too personal. He knows if his cronies miss attacking Katya, he’ll lose. No, he’s close. Ifeelit.

Lev

Why are you thinking Canada?

Me

Because he threatened someone I care for here.

The message hangs onreadfor a while before more bubbles appear.

Lev

…not elaborating on that? No? Okay.

Me

Just trust me.