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Luka understood her hesitancy perhaps the most, since he held a few unrevealed cards of his own. With his sister in mind, he changed the topic entirely. “You actually met with the Jungles?”

“I did. In terms of crazy, they’ll give you a run for your money,” I joked, leaning back in my seat.

Luka raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. “What were they like? ”

I took a moment, trying to find the right words. “Like us. Making it work,” I said. “But unlike us, or I guess you, they’re young.”

Since I was the youngest in the group, I had to remind them now and then.

Sue me, it was fun watching their slightly offended faces.

I couldn’t help but enjoy their reactions for a second, but I didn’t let them dwell on it, continuing, “Speaking of money, they’re filthy rich.

I mean, obnoxiously rich. It really surprised me when they suggested they would collect the bounty on my head. As if they needed it,” I puffed.

Luka’s eyes widened, clearly impressed, but it was Enzo’s voice that cut through the room. “They did what?”

His raised voice echoed off the wallpapered walls. For a second, I forgot he was there. He insisted on coming along. The man was dead set on not letting me out of his sight. I swear, he was one thought away from handcuffing us together.

He agreed to stay behind with Alisa in their family home while we dealt with the situation.

“I handled them.” I knew my answer didn’t give him much, but it was just enough to settle his worry.

Luka, always keen for more details, poured himself some tea from the pot.

“Who did you even meet?”

“The three guys. The Colombian, Brazilian, and the French.”

Andrei caught on quickly, seeking confirmation. “They’re in alliance, then?”

I nodded. “It seems that way.”

Fascinated, Luka leaned in, the questions coming faster. “How did you get there?”

“I flew, took a bus. The French kid picked me up in a buggy,” I said, simplifying the details.

“What did he look like? ”

“Bleached hair, tall, skinny. Why? Do you know any of them?” It was unlike him to show so much interest, and I couldn’t help but notice.

“I met them once, but they were wearing bandanas.”

I itched to ask more, but seeing the confused looks the rest of the family gave him, I decided to let it rest for now. I’d ask later, in private, if we ever got the chance.

Doing Luka a favor, I quickly redirected the conversation. “Met Daddy Don too.”

Enzo’s jaw snapped shut, his eyes narrowing. “You did not just call him that.” His chest swelled with the weight of his words. “People lose their heads for it.”

“I said the same to his face,” I replied, beaming. “And mine is still on,” I gestured to it. “He even smiled at me.”

I turned to Alisa, my partner in crime, and we exchanged a mischievous smile. It was enough to agitate Enzo even more.

“Isn’t it enough that we have his big mouth to deal with?” Enzo pointed at Maxim. “Now you join him?”

“It runs in the family.” I used the same phrase the Galkins often tossed around.

This was my moment to set the record straight, and I wasn’t going to waste it. I had months to organize my thoughts, but the words still escaped me no matter how many times I rehearsed my speech.

“Listen, we might not have blood ties…and thank God for that,” I turned to Maxim, letting my gaze linger on him. It had been too long. What a sight he was. The attraction between us was undeniable, magnetic even.

Enzo, clearly uncomfortable with the silent tension, shrugged. “Stop eyefucking each other.”

The jolt broke my train of thought, but Andrei quickly cleared his throat, bringing me back. “You were saying?”

“What I was getting at,” I continued, “is that for all of you, I’d go to war if it came down to it. Us first, duty second. ”

Even though they remained silent, their presence was loud, an unspoken support that meant more than words ever could.

“Where do we go from here?” Enzo asked, breaking the quiet.

“We fix what needs fixing,” Andrei answered, our thoughts aligned after the previous conversation.

“Count me in. But I meant what I said at the meeting. I’m not one to rule, but I’ll always be here,” I reminded them, my resolve still firm.

“What about Ilya?” Maxim asked, his tone surprisingly controlled, despite the anger still simmering beneath the surface.

Andrei turned to his sister, a silent question in his eyes. “Your call.”

Alisa’s response was decisive. “We’ll question him first. Then we decide.”

Ilya’s destiny was Alisa’s decision. I wouldn’t touch him until she made up her mind. I wasn’t going to break her heart. No matter how high the stakes, it wasn’t worth it.

I nodded in agreement. “Do what you gotta do.”

Enzo sensed the weight of the words I left out, watching me closely. When the Galkins went upstairs to check on their parents, we stayed behind, walking slowly through the garden, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts.

“You’ll keep an eye on them, right?” I asked, my voice low.

“Why does it feel like another goodbye?” Enzo protested, his tone tinged with concern.

“Never. Just see you around. I promise,” I reassured him, planting a quick kiss on his cheek as we walked through the rose bushes that lined the alcove.

I didn’t tell them that the fight wasn’t over for me. There would be no “normal,” not for a while. Despite all the precautions I’d taken, I knew the pressure wouldn’t stop.

If you lost everything you’d worked for, where did that leave you?

Bitter. Angry. With all the time in the world to plot .

Ilya had ignored Malek’s advances, thinking he could fix things with a trade.

He’d let it go too far. What he didn’t understand was that Malek was a fighter.

He’d survived in the harshest conditions and thrived in chaos.

He would be back, even more power-hungry.

But this time, I wouldn’t be blindsided.

This time, I’ll control the board and toy with his fate, just like they did with mine.

This time, I embrace revenge.

I may have handed the reins over to the Galkins, but before they set course, I had to clear the waters of the closest sharks. This is what I do, after all.

Malek’s ambition wasn’t his only weapon. He had connections, a network of people who’d profit from his rule. They wouldn’t take kindly to the overthrow I’d orchestrated. It’s only a matter of time before they retaliate, and when they do, I’ll be here to greet them.

I’ve been called ruthless, lacking compassion, with no sense of morality.

What they don’t understand is the inferno that burns within. I care for Enzo, for Alisa, for all the Galkins, even the unhinged one. Maybe him the most.

They weren’t my family, but they sparked a feeling of pure love I had only felt once before. What my mother sacrificed made more sense now. The lengths she went to, keeping me safe, seemed worth it. If only to protect them a little longer, to spare them from getting involved.

I would take it on. And I would wait. Patiently biding my time.

I had a reason. Now, I was just waiting for the right opportunity to take him down.