“When did you remember clearly?”
“It didn’t happen in one go. I recalled Rolan’s involvement after I joined Nikolai when I was in my mid-twenties. That came to me as clear as crystal the first time I saw the fucker, Rolan, at one of your grandfather’s parties. I thought, ‘hey, being kicked out from Godfather’s side wasn’t so bad, after all’.”
She smiles a little. “Troublemaker.”
“Always have been, Princess.”
“You’re not supposed to be proud of that.”
“You like that about me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do, but I digress—slightly.”
“Then?” She uses another cotton ball to wipe at my brows.
“Then what?”
“You said your memories didn’t come in one go. When did you recall one of the Bratva’s involvement?”
“Before I came back, I had a job in Northern Ireland, and maybe it was being there and hearing people talk in Mum’s accent is what had triggered a memory from that night. At the time, my mother was carrying me in her arms while she was talking on the phone. I remember hearing the Russian accent from the other end, and he ordered some people in the background while he was talking to her, which means he had some rank in the Bratva.
“Before that, I spent most of my time investigating Rolan’s background and boring Irish internal affairs. He’s not easy to track down, but that was expected since he didn’t only kill his own brother and sister-in-law then sell his nephew. He also beheaded his own wife and buried his son alive when he learned he was not his biological child.”
“Wow. So the rumors about him are true.”
“They’re probably worse than you’ve heard. He’s a heartless fucker who never gets enough. That’s why he’s after your territories.”
“I thought you instigated this.”
“I did, but there’s no smoke without fire. Rolan always had eyes for your territories, but Nikolai was too strong for him. He thinks he can win now that Sergei is the Pakhan. Igor believes Rolan has an ally from the inner circle.”
“Igor? Your fake father?”
I smile, then wince when my cut lip burns. “How did you know?”
“I ran a DNA test.”
“Smart, though I thought you wouldn’t be able to get Igor’s sample.”
“It wasn’t easy.”
“I’m sure. That was still smart.”
“And you’re cunning to use Igor.”
“Yeah, well, I had to get access somehow.”
“Why did you choose Igor?”
“We chose each other. I thought he was the Russian from that time and mentioned my mother’s name in front of him to gauge his reaction. Surprisingly, he didn’t act like he didn’t know her and told me she was a famous prostitute in one of Brooklyn’s notorious clubs. Not going to lie, it was no fun to learn my mum was a prostitute.”
She grimaces. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. It made sense why Dad always looked down on her and often called her a whore. Anyhow, Igor also mentioned that she was ‘acquainted’ with most of the brothers at the time, so the person I’m looking for could, in fact, have returned to Russia throughout the years.”
“And he decided to help you just like that?”
“Not just like that. It was an exchange. I bring the traitor he suspects down and he gives me an in to avenge my mother’s death.”
“Traitor?”
“Yeah, Igor believes there’s one among you.”
“What made him think there’s even a traitor? Does he have evidence?”
“I don’t think so. He’s following his instincts on this one, and he strongly suspects someone.”
“Who?”
“I guess it doesn’t matter if you know. Igor doubts Damien.”
She laughs, the sound throaty. “Not Kirill or Adrian, but Damien?”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s so funny about Damien?”
“That man thinks with his fists and would never be sophisticated enough to plot betrayal. Besides, he’s so Russian and hotheaded that it’s exhausting sometimes. He would never, and I mean never, choose another clan over us. He might be reckless, but he’s no traitor.”
My hold tightens on her waist. “Are you done defending the fucker in front of me?”
She swallows, her lips parting. “I’m just stating facts.”
“Too many facts.”
“Just enough to prove that Igor is wasting your time and his. Damien isn’t the traitor—that is if there is one in the first place.”
“Are you going to stop saying his name or should I fuck it out of you?”
“Stop saying things like that.” She tries to fight the blush creeping up her cheeks and fails.
“Not until you stop talking about other men in my presence. I don’t like it and it’s the best way to send me on a murder spree.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You just figured that out?”
“I guess I keep forgetting about it.”
“I’m happy to remind you.”
“I’m sure you are.” She gives me a dirty look. “Anyway, just tell Igor he’s wasting his time.”
“But you do have a traitor.”
“What’s your proof?”
“When you approved V Corp’s recent finances, didn’t you notice something off?”
“Adrian asking for them?”
“Why do you think he’s purposefully putting his hands into your business?”