Page 83 of Scarlet Vows

“Da.”

I hang up and work some more. Finally, I’ve had enough. Ineed coffee before I dive in further. There are two meetings scheduled for later today, but I want to think more on this issue with other bratva, so I head downstairs.

The kitchen smells homey and full of coffee and goodness, and Svetlana greets me, offering to make me breakfast. She has a pile of towels in her arms, so I shake my head, insisting I can make do on my own since I’m only after coffee.

When she leaves, another maid comes through with sheets, turning crimson when she sees me. But I pay her no attention. I’m guessing she isn’t meant to take the kitchen shortcut if I’m here, but I really don’t give a shit.

Whatever gets the job done with efficiency and ease for the staff.

At least the house staff doesn’t seem to have an issue with me.

I make a coffee, and the first sip is heaven. Actually, the coffee’s good, but the view outside the glass doors is heaven.

Alina and Albert are outside, enjoying the morning sun. She turns to the dog as he brings her a stuffed toy.

“Good, Albert. You’re so smart.” She laughs as he barks and nuzzles her neck.

My heart swoops. I haven’t seen that kind of joy in her eyes in a long time.

I move closer, stepping out the open door and onto the patio behind where they sit on the grass, and clear my throat.

Albert rushes up and licks at my trousers as his tail wags madly.

“Morning, boy.”

Alina looks at me, and when she smiles, it lights me up inside.

“How did you and Albert sleep?” I ask.

She hooks her hands around her legs, hugging them to her, and Albert gives me a whine and goes back to her. She lets go of her legs and hugs him instead.

“It was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. Albert settled right in.”

“I’m glad.”

Albert barks.

It’s clear the two of them belong together.

With a sigh, I turn and head back in to get more coffee.

When I’m about to take it upstairs, Albert trots up, his new collar on and his lead dragging, clearly proud of it as he stops to show me.

Alina collects the end. “We’re going to explore the neighborhood before I go to the shelter.”

“I’m sure Eva would want you to take the day off,” I say in Russian. “For Albert’s sake.”

With that, I go to my office.

I want to dig in deeper to the whole Simonov Bratva, a family I’m not that familiar with, though I’ve met some people in the game called Simonov. But sometimes names are just names. And sometimes a bratva keeps a low profile in certain areas.

I’ve got time, so I dig in deep.

With a frown, I sit back. No, the Yegorov Bratva hasn’t dealt with anyone from the Simonov Bratva. A few people with the last name in other groups, yes, both allies and enemies. But not anyone specific with this bratva.

A text from Melor leads me to a file on my computer.

My dear grandfather has a detailed list of every member, down to the housekeeper and girlfriends of certain soldiers. While I’m sure some things may have changed, the last save to the file was a few months ago.