Mikhail stares at me with an expression I’m seeing on his face for the first time.
Guilt.
Isn’t that fucking ironic?
“Too much information, Godfather,” I mutter.
He ignores me and continues speaking to Mikhail. “But even though they were way older than him, he kicked, clawed, and scratched them. Who knew that the little boy would grow up to be one of the best we have?”
I clear my throat at the note of pride in his voice. I never thought Godfather would ever speak about me like that after all the shit that went down ten years ago.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” Mikhail’s voice holds a genuinely regretful note. “If I knew, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Save your breath, old man. I don’t give two fucks about you or what you could’ve done.”
“I do.” He pauses. “I know we didn’t start off on the right foot, but I’m asking for a chance.”
“A chance for what?”
“To be your father.”
I scoff. “Don’t you have two sons already? Why would you want to add another?”
“Because you’re my eldest. My heir.”
“Like hell, I am. In case you haven’t noticed, I have no interest in the Bratva.”
“But you have an interest in Rai, yes?”
“Bringing her into this discussion won’t help you. In fact, it takes away brownie points.”
“If you’re strong enough, you can help her.”
“I thought you hated her.”
“I did, but only because she kept ruining my business. If you give me a chance, I will stop antagonizing her.”
“You’ll stop antagonizing her even if I don’t give you a chance.” I tower over him. “Mess with her and you’re messing with me.” I stroll past him. “I’m off, Godfather. I’ll be in touch.”
“Does this mean you agree?” Mikhail calls after me.
“Depends on your behavior,” I shoot back without turning around.
His guards step aside to make way for me, and I can sense how annoying this treatment will get in the long run.
Oh well, we’ll wait and see.
Right now, it’s time I get my wife back.
33
Rai
He didn’t follow.
He really didn’t follow.
I stand on the balcony for several minutes in case he shows up, but there’s no trace of him.
None at all. No call. No text.
I stare at the letter he left me that I tucked in my bag. Is that the last I’ll see of him? Really?
I ought to kick his ass for everything he made me go through. I gave him all the reasons to come back and at least talk to me. I went to him. I didn’t remove the wedding ring. I didn’t tell him he was an idiot for thinking that leaving is the solution.
I did it all, but he didn’t even follow.
Fuck him.
I’m about to go take a shower when commotion comes from outside my room.
My heartbeat skyrockets and I nearly trip over my feet as I swing the door open.
It’s not Kyle’s face that greets me. Instead, it’s Ruslan and Katia arguing with Lia, telling her she can’t go inside.
“What’s going on?” I try to hide the disappointment in my tone.
“You said not to disturb you, miss,” Ruslan says, “but Mrs. Volkov insists on seeing you.”
“It’s okay.” I smile at them, then her. “Come in, Lia.”
She follows behind me and closes the door. Her face is pale, lips dry. Her dress’s buttons are done up wrong, as if she was in a hurry to put clothes on.
“Sit down.” I motion at the lounge area.
She shakes her head frantically, catching her breath.
“Is everything okay, Lia?” Maybe there is a reason behind her husband’s absence. “Is Adrian okay?”
“Of course he is—when has he not been?” she snaps, but it’s not entirely in anger. There’s something else underneath, but I can’t put my finger on it. Hatred? A grudge?
“Okay. Can you tell me why you came here?” It’s weird, and knowing Adrian’s strict, secretive nature, he wouldn’t let her roam around unescorted.
Her huge eyes stare at me, tears clinging to her lids. Woah—what’s going on?
“The other time, you said you’d help me, Rai.”
“I would.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, of course. Just tell me what’s going on.”
“P-please…p-please help me escape Adrian.” She takes my hands in her trembling, sweaty ones. “If you don’t, I will die.”
Well, shit.
After I have Katia and Ruslan send Lia to one of our safe houses—that Adrian doesn’t know about—I go to take a shower.
I don’t know what I will do, but she was on the verge of a breakdown and desperately needed to get away from Adrian. If he did anything to her, I’ll murder him.
Standing under the stream, I place a palm on my stomach. “If you’re a boy, don’t you dare mistreat women. If you’re a girl, don’t you dare let men mistreat you just because you don’t have balls.”
I shake my head. I can’t believe I’m talking to a fetus, but I remember Reina saying Gareth used to move in her stomach whenever she or Asher talked to him.