Page 97 of Sweet Deception

“We send her back. Say we divorced, make it look real. They’d take her back in.”

Morris stared at me. Then he slowly shook his head. “That’s insane. Her parents aren’t stupid, Gleb. They know she’s changed since she left. The second she starts asking about Tatiana, they’ll smell a trap.”

I clenched my jaw. “Then we make it so convincing that they have to believe it.”

Morris narrowed his eyes. “What do you think your grandmother would do if she found out one of your siblings was a spy for the Italians?”

I clenched my jaw but said nothing.

Morris sighed. “Your plan could work, but only if you’re prepared to lose her.” His voice was steady. “If you truly don’t give a damn about her, then we send her.”

His words ignited something inside me. I shot him a glare. “You know I care about her.” My voice came out hoarse. “I won’t lose Anna just to get Tatiana back. They’re equally important to me now.” I hesitated before admitting, “If anything happens to her, I have no reason to live.”

Morris let out a thoughtful hum. “We’ll need a different approach. They’ve likely tightened security already. If we send in mercenaries without a solid plan, they’ll kill her before we can reach her.”

He leaned forward. “But that’s the only viable option. It will cost us... money and men.”

“How much money?”

“Half a million should do. I’ll hire an expert from France and another from Switzerland. Thirty percent upfront, twenty after we confirm her location, and fifty once she’s out.”

“Do it.”

Morris nodded and stood. “I’ll get to work.”

I gave him a curt nod and watched him walk away.

I sank back into the couch, exhaustion weighing on me like lead. A moment later, soft footsteps approached, and I turned my head to find Anna standing there.

She hesitated before sitting across from me.

Guilt tugged at me. I’d pushed her away just minutes ago.

“If there’s a way I can help get your sister, I will.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

“You can send me back to Italy. I’ll find her for you.”

“No.” My response was immediate, firm. “Your parents will hurt you. As you’ve already realized, they’re not good people.”

“But I want to help you, Gleb.” Her voice softened. “You’ve gone through too much alone.”

I exhaled sharply. “I just said I don’t need your help.” My tone was harsher than I intended. Guilt twisted inside me, and I sighed, lowering my voice. “She’s my sister, Anna. Not yours. I will get her out.”

“You think I’d blame you for what your father is doing to my sister?”

She scoffed. “You already are.”

“It hurts knowing she had been suffering for more than a decade.”

She met my gaze. “I know I can’t undo what my father did. But I don’t want you to go through this alone.”

I stared at her. For the first time, I didn’t feel the need to fight her words.

Instead of answering, I stood, walked to where she sat, and helped her up. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms, pressing my face against her hair. Her warmth seeped into me, grounding me in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

We stayed like that for a moment, just existing in the silence.