“Bodies. Children’s bodies,” Nikita whispers, careful not to let my daughter overhear his words. “But this was before Liam’s abduction.”
I want to breathe a sigh of relief, but the only thing that comes out is a choked sob. I should be flooded with ease, but I’m not. The fact that Moretti murdered children has me both angry and shattered inside.
If he is responsible for Liam’s disappearance, all hope is lost.
* * *
We arrive back at the compound, and I usher my baby girl, Sophia, inside. I want her protected from the Morettis and safely tucked away where no one can get to her.
Nikita locks the main entrance behind me, securing the deadbolt and a half dozen other locks to follow.
Mikhail’s heavy footsteps thump against the wooden floorboards. “I hear my nephew has gone missing,” Mikhail says to Nikita. It’s as though I’m not even in the room.
I help Sophia out of her coat, winter boots, hat, and gloves, putting everything in the nearby hall closet.
“Go into the playroom. I’ll be in there shortly,” I say to Sophia. I don’t want her overhearing the conversation between Nikita and Mikhail. She’s witnessed enough as it is today.
I spin around on my heels the minute that Sophia has disappeared down the hallway and into the playroom. “He hasn’t just gone missing, Mikhail. He’s been kidnapped. My son didn’t just wander off, away from the preschool on an adventure. Someone came onto the property and snatched my boy. What are you going to do to get him back?” I ask.
Mikhail exhales a heavy breath. He’s somber and silent for a long, drawn-out moment. “I’m sure wherever he is, he will be returned safely,” he says dismissively.
“I’m not so sure of that, sir,” Nikita says. At least he dares to stand up to Mikhail.
It’s rare for one of Mikhail’s men to speak up in such a way to the boss. Nikita is a Kryshas, an enforcer. He’s not an underboss or a Sovetnik.
Mikhail glares at Nikita to shut his mouth. “What makes you think differently?” Mikhail asks. He tilts his head slightly, waiting for an answer. A slew of tattoos covers his arms, chest, and up to his neck. The largest, most prominent, is a snake.
Mikhail is not the least bit a calm or patient man. And the longer it takes for Nikita to answer, the redder Mikhail’s face becomes.
“Men talk, sir. I have it on good authority that the Morettis were at the docks this morning, dumping several bodies into the harbor.”
“Do you have evidence?” Mikhail asks, stepping closer to Nikita.
Nikita holds his breath, staring up at his boss. “No, sir. I didn’t witness it myself. Like I said, men talk.”
Mikhail exhales a heavy sigh. “I see. Why does the dumping of several people make you think the Moretti family took my nephew?”
Mikhail pins him with his stare.
Nikita has no choice but to answer. “They were disposing of children, infants, babies, sir. It would only make sense that if a buyer were waiting for a child, they might not wait for another shipment.”
“And you think it is a mere coincidence that the Morettis went after my nephew?” Mikhail asks. “Because I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Nikita’s voice trembles as he speaks. “Neither do I, sir.” He stares up at Mikhail. The Kryshas might piss himself out of fear.
“If it’s true and Roberto Moretti is responsible for abducting my nephew, then we will let hell rain down on the Moretti family,” Mikhail says. “We aren’t waiting until morning. I want to strike their compound tonight, before they have the opportunity to move Liam.”
I want to breathe a sigh of relief, but I’m not the least bit calm or pleased with the fact they’re going to attack the Moretti family. What happens if Liam gets in the way, or worse, they use him as a hostage?
Will he become collateral in an excuse for a war with the Italians?
I can’t trust that Mikhail will protect Liam. Even if the boy is his nephew, he’s never cared about Liam or Sophia in the past. He’s provided us a place to stay, but it’s only because Papa wrote it into his will that I would be cared for and looked after when he passed.
This feels more like a power play and an opportunity to strike the Moretti family.
Mikhail disappears down the hall. I assume he’s running off to arm his men and command them into battle.
“You have to take me with you,” I plead with Nikita. “Mikhail doesn’t care about Liam. He wants Roberto dead.”