Page 77 of Deadly Knight

“Won’t. Different from can’t.”

She laughs. “Fair enough.Won’t, because I value my head too much. Ever see a headless ballerina? It isn’t a pretty thing.” She finishes washing the pan before facing me again, leaning against the edge of the metal sink. “It’ll be okay. The days will pass quickly. If I know Dimitri, he’ll be in a hurry to return. In no time, he’ll find his father and this will be over.”

Vanessa’s return steals her attention, so I continue eating, ducking my head from the commotion as Zeno and another guy, Lev presumably, join the room.

It’s an hour later before Zeno and Lev disappear, Anastasia heads to work, and Vanessa lingers, obviously hesitating leaving me alone.

“They’re a lot, sorry.”

“It’s fine. They’re nice.”

It’s striking how much easier it is to talk to them, especially Vanessa and Anastasia. Easier than being with Nora has ever been.

Almost like they are the people I was always meant to have in my life.

Clearly Vanessa gota lot accomplished during my flight back to Toronto, because once I land, a black town car waits for me—one that isn’t mine.

A man in a black suit, sunglasses, and with zero emotion stands beside it. “Mr. Corsetti has requested your presence. I will be taking you to see him.”

Brushing my hands against the guns I’ve recently re-strapped to my holsters after leaving the plane, they grant me security against whatever’s coming. I could only hope it’ll be productive and not bloody, and that Nico Corsetti will hear me out.

I slide into the car, and the driver brings me downtown Toronto, only blocks away from Katya’s apartment. Somehow, that makes this feel worse. He pulls up to a nightclub, closed for business considering it’s midafternoon.

“Door’s unlocked,” he says from the front seat. “Go on in.”

I do, bracing for what’s inside.

The lights are bright, making an otherwise mystic atmosphere plain and transparent, which highlights the twomen sitting at a table on the far side of the room. Both in suits, though one looks like it’s seen better days. Both with a beer in front of them, and a third unopened across from them.

The nearest one looks up at my entrance, and I’m faced with Nico Corsetti, Boss of the Montreal Mafia.

“Bonjour.”He gestures to the only empty seat at the table. “Saved you a seat and a drink.”

The man beside him glances up from his phone, his smile lazy, but the look in his eyes as cold and deadly as Nico’s. The men share the same hair, eyes, and similar facial features, suggesting they’re related.

As I sit, Nico introduces himself and then gestures to his companion. “My brother, Rafael.”

“Ignore me. I’m only here because my pregnant wife is craving a certain restaurant in the city, and if I have any hope of a peaceful sleep tonight, the food is required.”

Nico rolls his eyes before focusing on me. “Seems we have some mutual friends. It’s up to you to tell me if I will be thanking them or not.”

“You’re kind to meet me so far from your home.”

Nico shrugs, tapping his finger against his bottle. “It’s wise to check out our other properties now and again.” He lifts the same finger to point to the unopened bottle in front of me. “Feel free. It’s a local brew. Quite delicious.”

Beer isn’t exactly what I’m wanting, not while I should be completely focused on finding my father. Since refusing might be seen as an insult, I pop the bottle using the edge of the table and take my first sip beneath both Corsettis’ watchful gazes.

“Bien.”The French term rolls off his tongue. “What can I do for the Bratva?”

“My Pakhan and the Bratva aren’t involved. Whatever deal we strike is with me alone. Non-negotiable.”

The brothers share a quick glance before Nico tips his head. “I’m intrigued. Continue.”

“My father is hiding somewhere in the city, I believe, unless he’s escaped within the last two days. You have connections to the kind of people he’d be using to hide, so I’d like your assistance in finding him.”

Nico frowns. “Fathers are a pain in the ass, but what has yours done to warrant such a manhunt?”

“Does it matter?” A rival mob doesn’t need to know the specifics of Bratva business, especially when Katya’s involved.