“She said you were a smart man, Mr. Valentinetti. Please don’t make a liar out of her.”
“How can I help you, Mr. Fedorov.”
The man grinned. “I came for her.”
“Who is her?”
“Illyria.”
Sal stiffened, and Dwayne growled. Holding my hand up, I stopped whatever my brother and cousin were about to say. Treading lightly, I needed to be careful with this man. I had no idea he knew Illyria, and when my sister was back in my care, I would have a long-detailed conversation with her, but what worried me the most was the man standing before me was Layla’s Uncle. The head of the Fedorov Bratva Family.
All I knew about the man was that he was not one to cross, and he took what he wanted and killed indiscriminately.
“Illyria is only twenty-three.”
Maxim smirked, blowing smoke about him. “Yes. Something she reminds me of all the time.”
“How long have you and my sister been seeing each other?”
“Since she fell into my lap.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about, not that I really cared. The fact of the matter was that Illyria was a socialite. She went to parties to be seen and promote the family business and give credence to the many charities the company sponsored. She was the face behind all the events. She was known from coast to coast. She could have met Maxim Fedorov anywhere.
When he took the last drag off his cigarette, he threw it on the ground and put it out with the tip of his shoe. Looking directly at me, he sighed. “I am waiting, Mr. Valentinetti.”
“She was taken along with my woman. We were attacked. Several of my men were killed. My mother…” I whispered, my voice cracking.
“My deepest sympathies about your mother, but she does not concern me. Since you can’t protect Illyria, you leave me no choice. When I find her, she will be under my protection.”
“The hell she will!” Sal roared. “You go anywhere near my sister, and I will kill you!”
Maxim said nothing more as he turned.
Taking the bull by the horns, I needed to turn the tables in my favor. This was a dangerous game we were all playing. One, I didn’t play lightly, but the rules had changed drastically. Too many families had been affected, and no one truly knew the whole truth.
I was tired of being strung along.
I wanted this to end.
I wanted no more lies.
I wanted my woman and sister back.
The old ways of doing things had ended. It was time to become the very man I had avoided my whole life. The fact was, I was the head of a mafia family. It was time to embrace my life and let the chips fall where they may.
I knew there was no way a man of Fedorov’s reputation would ever align himself with a man like Angelo Capribella. Not if he was here for Illyria. I may not know much about Maxim, but I knew my sister. So, going with my gut, I carefully said, “Angelo Capribella raped Dominika.”
Maxim stopped, slowly turned, and said, “What did you just say?”
I could clearly see the anger emanating from the man’s eyes. Stepping forward, I stared directly at him and clearly said, “Your sister, Dominika. She was raped by Angelo Sebastian Capribella, also known as Diablo or the Collector.”
I was thrown against the wall in the next instant as Maxim growled, “Where is Dominika?”
“She is dead. Capribella had the Black Vultures kill her.”
He blinked.
I could clearly see the pain in his eyes.