Page 68 of Possess Me

For what reason?

After fifteen years, why now?

To close a chapter?

Or to start something new?

Whatever was going on, I would discover.

“Calm down, Vissarian. You can’t fight this battle alone. You know that. And unless you tell me what the hell is going on I can’t help you. So your Bratva family can make this right. Maybe you’re correct in that our fathers know more or that they’re trying to protect us, but we need to go about this the right way.”

I noticed a sign and pulled to the curb a block away, instantly throwing the gear into park. As I rapped my fingers on the steering wheel, I took a few seconds to think about what little Fallon and I had discussed. “Are there any drugs that emulate a person having appendicitis?”

His deep exhale meant I’d caught him off guard. “I have no fucking idea. Are you trying to say Jeffrey was poisoned?”

“It’s possible.”

“Hold on here. Is this about that female captain?”

I closed my eyes and immediately images of her lovely face and voluptuous body floated into my mind. Was it possible she’d been sent to use me? The details and how everything had occurred were too perfect, yet still suspicious. “Ludolf alluded to the fact she’s someone of importance. I don’t like being on this goddamn island.”

“Then leave. Now. This is your Pakhan telling you to get the fuck off the island. The one thing you never lost in your moment of grief was an instinct like no other person I’ve ever known. If you believe this is a setup, then get the fuck off the island now. I’ll run some checks on this pilot, but don’t jump to any conclusions.”

“I’ve already asked Alessandro to see what he could dig up.”

“Interesting. Maybe you are healing if you asked an Italian to do some digging. Don’t drift into the past. Doing so could get you killed.”

His gesture indicated he didn’t know how precarious the entire situation felt. Maybe I was blowing things out of proportion, but during my year of living in a fog, I’d learned never to overlook anything.

“This doesn’t feel right, Mik. Be my cousin and not my Pakhan. I need some time,” I answered, grabbing the keys and stepping from the car.

“You have until tomorrow. I will send some men after you if necessary. As I said, follow your gut. I don’t want you hurt, Viss. What you went through no one should be forced to. But remember, women can be very… conniving.”

“Yeah, they can.” Every thought I had about Fallon took me from my comfort zone, and that zone was all about remaining inside a suit of armor. I’d done damn well doing so yet one fucking night with the beautiful woman and I was completely unraveling.

Who the fuck did that?

Evidently a man who’d felt lost and alone for far too long.

As I headed into the store, I made a promise to myself and to the memory of everything I’d once cherished.

Not a single enemy, not some bastard who wanted to return me to hell and certainly not some European group of men whobelieved their shit didn’t stink would keep me from staying the course.

Including one beautiful, sensual woman.

CHAPTER 18

Vissarian

I tooka deep breath before sliding the keycard into the lock, waiting for the green light.

My emotions were still all over the place. I’d gotten very good at masking them over the years and suddenly, I was right back to where I’d been fifteen years before.

Not just because of the past, but also because I’d already started developing feelings for Fallon.

Even so, I couldn’t ignore what I’d been told. Maybe she had no clue she’d fallen into something that had started so long ago. But if she was playing me, using me, she would pay a price.

Fuck.