Page 138 of Possess Me

“What about Don Bruni? What now?”

“He’s getting pressure to accept the deal offered by the Russians,” Mikhail said. “They have enough powerful connections that they will make good on their threat to try and come into Las Vegas. Bruni also has ties to Sicily. If the alliance is made, they will have a foothold in Europe as well.”

“Hence a renewed and strong alliance with the Hoffman Group.” I threw it out and almost laughed. Our fathers had been keeping secrets for years, since the day they’d left Russia.

“Yes, son. We knew when Bruni was approached again that all our precautions wouldn’t be enough.”

I thought about what had occurred over the last few years and laughed. Pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place. “The reason for our alliance with the Costa family. They also have ties to Sicily.”

My father appeared amused as if thrilled I’d followed those breadcrumbs and was about ready to solve the riddle.

Uncle Boris nodded. “It was as much of a statement as it was a protection. We believed it would work until we realized theRussians were about to invade our territory with the reluctant help of Giovanni Bruni.”

“Do they know?” I demanded.

Mikhail shook his head. “Their father does.”

“An old boys’ school exists in the world of the mafia,” I threw out, disgusted with the whole damn thing. “At least we can commiserate about our fathers lying to us.”

“Enough,” Mikhail hissed. “You will have respect, Viss.”

Exhaling, I nodded. “Who attacked us, Bruni or the Russians? Antonio couldn’t have done so on his own.”

“No, he likely had help from the Russians. There are some men loyal to him that he used while pretending to remain loyal to Bruni. He was likely paid handsomely to bring in Fallon. There’s no telling if he would have done so immediately. Once he did, there would be no need to broker any further deal.” Ludolf’s words were chilling.

“Don Bruni would be exterminated.” My entire body bristled from the thought of Antonio touching her in any way. Then there was the goddamn promise I’d made.

“Yes,” Mikhail answered.

Antonio’s problem was that he was infatuated with Fallon. But the lure of power and money was strong.

“So what now?”

“Don Bruni needs to be told his empire had been compromised and there’s only person one who can do so that he’ll believe.” My father stared me directly in the eyes.

I took a deep breath. “If you think I’m going to put Fallon in harm’s way, you are dead wrong. I will not be a part of this.” I slammed my drink onto the bar, immediately heading to the door. I’d fucking heard enough.

“They will find a way to take her, son. She is valuable to them.”

“Did you ever stop to think about how much she might mean to me?” My voice boomed in the room. I was surprised my mother hadn’t come running. I glared into my father’s eyes. “Just like I cared about Megan. If I’d known who she was, then she might be alive today. You did that. Both of you.”

Mikhail’s shoulders lifted. I threw my hand out. My disrespect was grounds for demotion. What the fuck did I care at this point? I didn’t.

“I can tell you do, Vissarian. I’m sorry. I think I can speak for Boris when I tell you that. We believed the past could be left in the shadows, but we were wrong. Our alliance with the Hoffman Group and our connections with the Costa family while also coordinating some level of peace with Don Bruni will likely keep our futures secure. And the way of life you so adore will be kept the same.”

My father had never been this honest before. I also realized that he felt beaten down, as if the past had indeed come up from their dark shadows, violence and bloodshed ready to pick at the still festering wounds.

I also knew what he was telling me was the truth. Don Bruni would only listen to family. “It’s her choice. I won’t make her do this. She just found out who she is and was almost killed because of it. Her choice. No more secrets or so help me God, I will walk away from this family.”

Mikhail’s face highlighted the stress I sensed he felt. He’d wanted to change the old ways, creating a powerful corporation by the use of contracts and negotiations. He’d done that in spades. But instead of simply enjoying our growing family, our wealth and success, we were still hounded by a past that Mikhail and I barely remembered.

And monsters who lurked in the darkness.

Now I knew why my father had always told me to be careful with acts of revenge because they invariably hurt those who didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle.

Fallon was that person.

As I turned for the third time to walk out, I realized just how much I did care about Fallon. Yet I knew in my heart it had almost nothing to do with Megan, a strange sense of karma or simply my innate need to protect her.