33
ANTON
Meeting in the armory has become something of a ritual before any meeting of significance. It’s calming, to be here among the tools of our trade. To see guns and know I can use them. To see knives and know I can use them.
It reminds me who the fuck is in charge.
I am.
Lev is standing alone when I walk in. “Where is Yulian?” I ask.
“I don’t know. I thought he’d be with you.”
“I was talking to Jessa. I expected him to be here already.”
“Something wrong?” Lev asks.
I’m not sure. I have an instinct for this kind of thing, for trouble. And something seems wrong. But there’s no proof yet. Nothing but my gut.
Not that it’s ever let me down before.
“We’ll have to see,” I say vaguely.
“How is Jessa?”
“She’s going to remain here with a contingent of men protecting her. I’m taking you and Yulian for this mission, so I’ve doubled the guard around the mansion.”
“If you want one of us to stay, you know we will,” Lev says at once.
I know how much Lev hates to be left out of this kind of thing. The man was built for action. He doesn’t do well as a watchdog. But he’s loyal and devoted. He’ll do whatever needs to be done, which means I need him by my side even more.
“I know that. But this time, I need both my righthand men with me.”
Lev nods. “She’s not going to get away this time.”
“We’ll make sure of that,” Yulian says, walking through the door and taking his place between us.
“Where were you?”
“Checking on the men,” he says. “I wanted to make sure everything was in order before we move out. Did you double the guard around the mansion?”
“I did. Jessa is here, I want to make sure she’s safe.”
Yulian nods in agreement, but I notice he’s a little pale. Battle has always made him more nervous than he likes to let on.
“Jessa remains in the mansion at all times,” I instruct.
He sighs. “I was just trying to make her feel better. I thought a drive would help. She’s going crazy in this house.”
“It’s a necessary precaution,” I say. “She won’t need to be locked away in here once Marina is six feet under.”
“As long as she can make it until then. She’s spiraling.”
“Spiraling?”
Yulian raises his eyebrows. “Sometimes, you get so wrapped up in this Bratva, you forget about everything else.”
“You want me to take my eyes off the ball when this bitch is on the loose and she just blew up Jessa’s apartment?”