Page 37

Taya was nearing her limits. I could see the tiredness in her eyes, feel the exhaustion in her body.

Worried about her state, I contacted Mila, Andrei’s wife, on the way back. As a trauma surgeon, she dealt with similar cases.

I pulled up to the house and shut off the engine.

After a few minutes of listening to her steady breathing, I finally moved, carrying her inside.

Her red-soaked hair shifted with each step.

My siblings were already on edge, all gathered in the hallway to meet us.

Taya’s current state caused immediate panic.

“Is she okay?” Alisa cried out.

“Fine,” I reassured her.

Not willing to let her out of reach, I sat on the white couch in the sitting room. Gently readjusting her position to make her more comfortable, I covered her with blankets. She slept soundly, her breath steady.

Since I hadn’t witnessed everything that transpired, I was worried shitless.

Was she hurt? Did something happen to her?

It wasn’t supposed to go like this. As many times before, we had the same idea: strike today. Except this time, I had a way in through Orest, a guy I met in the military. We served together at the front and stayed in touch.

When he reached out a couple of weeks ago, I couldn’t believe Malek was his cousin. Their connection played to my advantage.

Whatever happened between them had to be worth blowing his cousin’s brains out.

Malek was dead.

My sister handed me a wet cloth to wipe Taya’s face. She hadn’t stirred since we arrived, and I knew she was at the end of her rope, if not past it.

I scanned my siblings before searching the room for the man, the cause of her troubles.

“Where is Ilya?”

Alisa’s eyes gave the answer away, but I needed to hear the confirmation out loud. “Alisa? Where is he?”

“He took off,” my sister admitted, chewing on her thumb.

“What do you mean, took off?”

Andrei answered for her. “He’s gone.”

“Motherfucker,” I hissed, my voice barely contained. Instantly, I scolded myself for being too loud.

“We have bigger things to worry about.” Luka nodded toward the woman in my arms. “What happened?”

I told them what I knew. None of them were aware of my plan. I didn’t want them to worry or to get involved, for that matter .

The doorbell rang, interrupting our conversation. I cursed whoever dared make a sound loud enough to wake her.

Alisa stood up to answer, with Luka following close behind as a precaution.

Furious, Lorenzo stormed inside, dragging a young man behind him.

The Italian hauled the seriously injured boy by the collar.

Blood, old and new, stained the front of his white t-shirt, dark red soaking into the fabric.

I eyed the stranger, piecing together the connection, the reason behind Lorenzo’s unannounced visit.

But it came as no surprise, the man had an annoying tendency to pop up wherever Taya was.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t anticipate his approach until he was right next to me.

“ Cazzo ,” Lorenzo swore, his voice tight with something raw. “Is she…?”

“No,” I answered sharply, offended by the thought.

I leveled him with a glare, pulling Taya even closer to my chest, her fragile form warm against me. A growl might’ve escaped me, a warning to stay the hell away.

I knew they loved each other, but it wasn’t registering. My brain had overridden all logic, operating purely on protective instinct. All that mattered was keeping her safe. In her fragile state, she trusted me, of all people. I would sooner unalive myself than disappoint her.

“Who’s that?” Luka asked from behind, addressing the issue at hand.

“Wonderful question.”

Lorenzo dragged the boy to the center of the room, forcing him to his knees.

“This stronzo showed up at the docks, asking for me. He claims he was advised to do it.”

The room’s attention shifted to the stranger as he stood, awkwardly straightening. “I’m Lev. Me and…” He glanced at the woman in my arms, but his words trailed off.

Out of pity or instinct, Alisa supplied the name. “Taya. ”

Lev gave a brief nod before continuing. “We met at Malek’s. She told me to wait for her at the docks.”

“Why would she spare you?” Andrei asked, his voice edged with suspicion.

The boy reached for his shirt, setting off a wave of reactions. Weapons were drawn in unison, even by Alisa, who usually avoided fights.

“What’s up with you all?” Lev grumbled, clearly annoyed, likely referencing a previous encounter with the fierce warrior currently recharging her batteries, bundled in my lap. A smile lit my face, and I suddenly couldn’t care less about the man.

Despite my disinterest, Lev attempted to lift his shirt again, this time with slow movements, revealing the mark. Traitor. I had come across that mark many times before, never in a good light. Not a smart move, my man. Not when your intentions were already being questioned.

Annoyed by all these interruptions, these loud rumbles, I dismissed him. “Sit down.”

“The next person through that door better be Mila,” I muttered, more in hope than humor.

Andrei shot me a look, clearly displeased with how I’d spoken about his wife. I loved my sister-in-law, but this wasn’t the time for pleasantries.

“Malek’s dead,” I finally announced, trailing my fingers through Taya’s hair.

Lorenzo’s eyebrows shot up, his forehead wrinkling in disbelief. “She killed him?”

For God’s sake. I tried to calm myself, closing my eyes, but it was like he was shouting directly into her ear. I shook my head at his ignorance. “Not exactly.”

“Whose blood is that?”

“His,” Taya answered, her voice faint.

Her eyes opened, bloodshot and tired, but they found me. With a crusted hand, she gently traced my outgrown stubble. In a room full of people, it still felt like the most intimate moment we’d shared. No words were spoken. No one dared interrupt us or they would be next.

Sitting up took all her energy, so I strengthened my hold, not letting go. I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to.

She received the silent message. Taya pressed a ghost of a kiss to my neck, keeping her hand intertwined with mine. Still in my lap, she made herself comfortable, facing the room.

“Lev,” she acknowledged the man sitting across from us first out of concern for his safety.

When her gaze found Lorenzo, he sighed. “You’re going to drive me to an early grave.”

“I’d rather not,” she replied with a grin.

“Everybody,” she turned to the rest of the room, “it’s been a while.”

“For the last time,” Alisa scolded her like a child.

“I don’t promise, but I’ll try,” Taya answered, offering her a warm smile.

The two of them were close now, sharing a sister-like bond.

“To answer your question, Ravager killed him.”

Ravager? She meant Orest?

“Who now?” Luka demanded, leaning forward.

The room fell silent. Taya turned to me, her gaze sharp. “Care to fill us in?”

I sighed, keeping my tone steady. “A guy I know from the military. We served together.”

“Did you now?” she shot back.

Her skepticism hit me like a punch, but she already moved on. “Alisa, remember that story I told you about a Siberian guy with the smile? In Ilya’s club? The one I met when I was nineteen?”

“The one you lost…?” Alisa’s eyes widened, and I froze.

My hands shot to Taya’s wrists, feeling her pulse race. “The one you what?” I exploded .

Taya ignored me. “Imagine my surprise when he shows up at Malek’s door, calls him his cousin,” she said, still focused on Alisa.

“But that was nothing compared to when I found out your brother knows him. Or better yet, he planned the whole fucking night with him.” Taya turned to me, the fire of her stare burning through.

“So what? We calling out every guy I’ve fucked now?

” she yelled. “It’s getting a little personal. ”

“You slept with Malek?” The new guy blinked, confused.

“Keep up,” Taya snapped, brushing off the fact. “Where is he?”

I knew he followed us here. Good. The list of topics to discuss with him kept expanding.

I gestured toward the door, silently signaling to Luka.

He understood immediately and opened it, inviting the stranger who was likely waiting outside.

As expected, Orest walked in. Unlike the rest of us, he looked well put together.

He acknowledged Andrei first, showing respect to the leader.

The men exchanged a brief greeting while Taya watched closely.

Her reaction to his proximity was instant. She stood up faster than anyone should, leaving me empty and bitter in her absence. Gone was the exhaustion she barely pulled through. No, she’d caught a second wind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had triggered her sudden shift in alertness.

We were all eager to hear the story, but considering I knew him, I didn’t expect her to be this on edge.

As Orest stepped toward the group, Taya positioned herself in his path, blocking the view. With a finger poking at his chest, she went off. “You were supposed to remain nameless.”

“A happy memory,” she added under her breath.

“And aren’t I? Nameless?” Orest countered, a challenge in his voice.

His unwise words were my cue to stand, but I didn’t need to, since Taya had already pushed him back.

When he remained still, taking her blows without a flinch, I realized there was history between them that needed to be sorted out.

No real danger, aside from the woman letting off some steam.

Whatever she decided next, I’d hand her the tools before I stopped her.

I sat back down, watching the exchange unfold.

When Taya grew tired of the same old dance and saw no end in sight, she turned to Ravager’s face.

“Oh, how I’d love to bruise that face. Just like the pictures. In your cousin’s office?”

“Ah, yeah. The golden times.”

A growl crawled from her throat, the sinner in me immediately reacting, but I quickly schooled my expression.

“Sit,” she ordered him. “I’ll deal with you later.” Her commanding voice wasn’t helping my focus.