I’ve purposely not been thinking about what she said about the crest because I don’t know what to make of it. But I believe her. Despite my dig about not traveling in the same circles, I’d formed the same conclusion she had that her father, like many, must have known the Butyrskayas.
What’s weird is her actually recognizing the crest, because it’s no ordinary crest.
It was a crest the Butyrskayas placed on their safe houses and secret passages. Those are all places Uther and his family would not have known about. Especially since Pavel was on the secret squad.
The secret squad are almost like a separate brotherhood who don’t mix with the other enforcement divisions or sometimes not even others in the Knights and the Bratva. I only know the things I do because Leif was part of them at one point. You are sworn to secrecy for life, but he told me certain things I needed to know.
The house I live in used to be one of the Butyrskayas safe houses. The crest on the cliff and the one in the house both indicate secret passages that lead to a safe house in Salem, which I also currently own.
The only people who know what the crest really means and where the secret passages are located are Ehlga, Jayce, Zane, and Gytha. No one else.
My house stopped being a safe house when the Butyrskayas lived there, but they had many others I don’t know the location of.
Because they left so long ago, most people around now don’t even know that they used to live at my house.
The problem I’m having is Anastasia has obviously seen a crest at one of the Butyrskayas’ houses that she shouldn’t know about.
It’s weird as fuck and shady. Things that are not uncommon to Uther Sidorov.
Uther has more dark secrets than anyone I know. Since the Butyrskayas disappeared off the face of the earth and that was weird as fuck and shady, I can’t help but wonder if there’s some connection.
At the same time, I’m mindful that my hatred for the man could be driving my thoughts. I don’t have enough information to form any real conclusions, but it’s definitely something I’m going to look into.
I’ll ask Leif about it when I next see him, but I’ll also get Gytha to do some digging around. If we don’t find anything, I’ll pay Uther a visit.
I don’t want to alert him yet, just in case, which was why I told Anastasia she couldn’t call him.
The sound of somebody clearing their throat in an exaggerated manner pulls me from my thoughts. When I turn around, I find myself facing Gytha, who is staring at the panties in my hand.
The fury and hurt on her face tone down the professional look she has going with the business dress she’s wearing.
I hope I didn’t look like that when I found her that night with some motherfucker balls deep inside her ass. I would hate to give anyone such control over my emotions.
I also hope that getup she’s wearing isn’t for me. After what Anastasia told me, it looks like I have to talk to Gytha again and make sure I set her straight. I don’t need women problems, or any other right now.
One more sniff before I place the panties back in my pocket.
Gytha locks the door and comes closer, stopping paces away from my desk.
“I was wondering when you’d take her,” she says, looking like she’s doing her best to keep her composure.
“You shouldn’t wonder about such things. It’s not good for you. And while we’re on the subject, I heard about yesterday. I want you to limit your contact with Anastasia.”
Her nostrils flare. “This is ridiculous. The fucking girl is a pawn. She shouldn’t matter to you. I didn’t say anything to her that wasn’t true.”
“What, that you’re the queen?”
“Wow, the little princess really did go running back—”
“Enough.” I don’t want to hear any more.
“You haven’t given me a chance to fix things with you.” She balls her hands at her sides. “I made my mistakes and I can’t take them back.”
“I’ve already told you where we stand and I won’t be repeating myself.” I raise my voice and stare her down so she sees how serious I am. “I don’t have time for shit, or games. Either you’re in or out. Tell me now.”
She stares at me for a moment, and I’m actually not sure what she’s going to choose. It’s not until a spark of hope enters her eyes that I know she’ll stay, but I also know she’s not happy about the situation. And it’s clear no matter how many times I tell her our relationship is over, she won’t stop trying to get me back until she decides it’s time to stop. That can’t be my problem.
“I’m in,” she mumbles, pulling some documents from her bag and placing them on the desk.