I step outside. Girls stand on the second-floor balcony, watching. I nod to Mira and she nods back. Siena runs to me and I hug her tight. Her tears are warm and damp against my chest, and I kiss her hair.
“Done?” Enzo asks.
“Done,” I confirm. “I’ll call some of my father’s men and have them come clean this up.”
“Is that a good idea? I thought you weren’t on good terms with your family.”
“It’ll be fine, don’t worry. I recommend you all stay out of there for a while. Do you know what to do now that he’s gone?”
“I’ll contact his lieutenants and tell them the new situation in a few hours. It’ll give you a chance to get settled first. Some of them will defect, but that’s okay. We’ll replace them and kill any that get in our way.” Enzo sounds stronger than he did just a few minutes earlier, and I suddenly feel like this was all the right move.
“Good. I’ll leave you to it then.” I tug Siena away, but she breaks from me and runs over to her brothers. She hugs them, one at a time, and they hug her back. They look hurt, but relieved. Franco seems to stand up straight for the first time since I met him. It’s like a burden’s lifted from his shoulders.
The burden of a nightmare father, finally gone.
Siena holds my hand as we walk to the car. She blows a kiss to Mira and laughs. My stomach’s twisted into knots, but this is almost finished.
“One more stop,” I say quietly as I start the engine.
“Now the hard part,” Siena says, and her smile vanishes as I pull out.
Chapter 31
Siena
The Kremlin feels strange as the elevator doors slide open.
Nothing’s changed. It’s the same hardwood floor and opulent framed paintings on the walls. It’s the same display of wealth and power.
But it’s quiet, like it’s missing something. Like the life was sucked from the air.
“My sisters aren’t here,” Maxim says as if he can tell what I’m thinking. We walk to the staircase and begin the climb up. “Jasha texted me this morning. Father sent them both back to Russia for a few months. They’re staying in our house back in Moscow.”
“Why did he do that?”
“I think he knew something bad was coming. It’s his way of punishing them for being kind to you as well.”
I grimace and tug at my hair. I hate that his father would hurt Galina and Emiliya because of me, and I already miss them with a dull ache in my chest. For a short period of time, they were my best friends, like real sisters. I’ve never had a sister before.
Feliks is waiting on the second floor. He looks tired and his clothes are a rumpled mess, but he hugs Maxim and pounds his back. “I’m glad you’re home, brother.”
“Where’s father?”
“With Jasha and Mother in the library discussing what to do about you.”
Maxim lets out a breath and glances at me. “Why aren’t you up here?”
“I left when security said you were on the way. I wanted to warn you before you went and saw him.”
A sharp worry pangs through my stomach. What if Maxim’s father doesn’t accept this deal? What if we killed my papa for no reason, and Enzo and Santo and Franco are hung out to dry? I’m not sure they can take control of the Bastone family holdings on their own without Novalov help. Papa has other lieutenants and captains, and they’ll all want to carve out some power and capital for themselves, especially when three unproven young men are vying for the position of Don. Without Novalov money and guns, I’m terrified my brothers will get themselves killed.
“What’s he saying?” Maxim sounds on edge, and it doesn’t help my nerves one bit.
Feliks glances at me like he’s not sure if he should talk in my presence, but barrels ahead anyway. “He’s not happy with how this played out. He thinks you’ll get off easy if he lets you return after having defied him.”
“He needs to punish me more? After all this?” Maxim’s jaw tightens and works like he’s grinding his teeth. “It’s never enough for that man.”
“We’re all speaking on your behalf. Mother, and Jasha, and I. The girls would too, if they were here.” He glances at me and smiles slightly. “Emiliya told me to say hello. Galina too.”
“I miss them. I hope I can see them when they get back.”
Feliks nods and takes a deep breath. “I don’t know how this will play out, brother. But be contrite up there, okay?”
“I’m not sure I feel very contrite right now. I killed a man this morning.”
“Just another day at the office for you.”
Maxim’s lips quirk. “Not anymore, brother. Come, let’s go see what Father has to say.” Maxim walks off and climbs the stairs.