Aleksandra glances at the six-year-old.
“That girl’s been through hell, and to think your brother ordered her death.”
“He would never do that,” she scoffs.
I grab her arm and drag her out of the dining hall, leading her to my office. I shut the door behind her, allowing us to speak freely.
“He ordered multiple hits on the children of mafia families. Mikhail is a ruthless man.”
“And you’re not?” Aleksandra steps closer. She doesn’t appear the least bit afraid of me. If she is, she hides it well.
“I do what is required of me,” I say. “I removed Roberto from his position because he was kidnapping children, selling them to families so that he could make a profit.”
Her ruby lips close, and she stares at me, her eyes tight. “Why are they here? Why bring them closer to danger? If my brother is responsible, it seems unwise to have them under the same roof.”
That’s why she’s here, as my insurance policy, so that he won’t murder the entire Italian mafia. Would it be easy for him to sacrifice his sister and the kids?
“Then help me stop him,” I say, closing the gap between us. My voice is calm, soft, reassuring. I’m trying to reason with her.
“Even if I could help you, why should I? You’re keeping me here against my will.”
“I’m keeping you and your children here to protect you,Tesorina.”
Has she not realized the danger that returning home puts her in?
Aleksandra folds her arms across her chest. “Locking me in a room. How is that protecting me? You kidnapped my son. This is all your fault. This war that’s going on, you started all of it. And now you want my help?” She laughs darkly and takes a step back. “You’re on your own.”
“Tesorina,” I say, trying to reason with her.
“I’m not helping you, and I’ll never help you. You’re a monster.” Aleksandra turns and heads out of my office.
I let her go. I don’t chase her. There’s no need. She can’t leave, and there are other ways to get information.
If she doesn’t talk, I’ll use the children.
* * *
The children are all gathered in the living room near the hearth.
I’ve let Aleksandra accompany the twins. It’s wrong to keep a mother away from her babies. And while Sophia and Liam aren’t newborns, they are still her children.
The fire sizzles and crackles. I have Mario and Monte bring the toys that I purchased for the twins to share with the other children staying over.
The other dons and their close associates join me in the office.
“Tell me you have a plan. Better than sitting around and waiting for Mikhail to order his next attack,” Dante says.
He’s frustrated and fed up with the situation.
We all are.
“I know you’re worried about your families. That’s why we’ve come together, to stop the bratva from coming after our families and destroying our businesses,” I say.
“And the Russian girl at breakfast. Who is she?” Dante asks. He has the darkest eyes I’ve ever seen, cold and brutal.
“She’s off-limits,” I warn. “A guest under my protection.” I don’t need the men getting any ideas about what they might do to get her to talk.
“A Russian girl under your protection?” Moreno scoffs at the notion. He’s Dante’s second and was extended an invitation because his daughter, Nova, was recently threatened by the bratva. “She sounds like trouble.”