Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
I glance at Finn, who just shrugs and shakes his head. “Not that we know about.”
“The eyes…” Taras trails off. He takes a deep breath and turns his back on the body. “The eyes are a message. They are a very old symbol. Back in Russia, Bratvas would make crosses over the eyes of their victims as a way to say all those in this bloodline are now marked for dead. And they would very often follow through with that threat.”
“Are you saying Michael’s family is in danger?”
“I don’t know.” He shakes his head, meeting my gaze. “But I would warn them and keep an eye on them for a while.”
“I’ll tell Sean,” Finn says and jogs off.
“How are we supposed to feel about this?” Dad says, doing his best to remain calm and level. While all I want to do is slam this Russian fuck’s face against the wall until his head cracks like a coconut. “One of my men got murdered on my son’s wedding day. He was killed in some Russian hit style I’ve never heard of.”
“It’s my sister’s wedding day as well.” Taras squares his shoulders. “We had nothing to do with this. I can swear to that on my name and my family.”
“For what that’s worth,” I mutter.
Taras’s eyes flash with anger and Dad puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll talk to Ruslan later. Thank you for telling us what you know.”
“I know our families have had issues in the past, but we are trying to put that behind us.” Taras keeps glaring at me, hate burning in his face. “It isn’t so easy for me.”
He storms off, leaving me alone with my father and poor dead Michael.
“You don’t have to piss them off, you know.” Dad watches Taras for a moment before lightly pushing my shoulder. “What was that comment all about?”
“You know the Morozovs. They’re fucking snakes.”
“Everyone’s a snake in this business.”
“At least we have the good grace to stab people in the front.”
“Guess that makes us better.” He puts an arm around me and steers us both away from the corpse. “Listen, Seamus. I don’t know what’s going on, but you need to be careful. I don’t like this Bratva business. It might be we find out that Michael got involved in something bad, but—”
He only glances at me. He doesn’t need to finish that sentence.
Because we both doubt that’s the case.
Which means that body back there was meant for us.
“Where’s Alina right now?”
Dad smiles slightly. “Worried about your wife?”
“Making sure she’s alright, that’s all.”
“That’s the right instinct. Cormac’s taking her home. She’s safe.”
“Anyone staying to keep an eye on her?”
Dad hesitates, but only shrugs. “I can put Sean on it.”
“I’ll take care of her.” I pull away from him. “Make sure Michael’s treated with respect. He didn’t deserve this.”
Dad’s smile is sad as he glances back into the blood-covered alley. “They never do.”
Alina peers out through her door, frowning at me. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Open up. We need to talk.”
“Is your guard—?” She starts but stops herself. “I mean, is everyone else okay?”
“Only one dead body tonight, thankfully. Let me inside, princess.”
I can tell she doesn’t want to, but after a moment, the deadbolt slams back and she steps aside.
Alina’s in a pair of white sweats and a baggy sweatshirt. Her hair’s still done from the wedding, but her makeup’s mostly washed off. A glass of wine’s perched in her hand as I lock the door behind me and do a quick sweep of the apartment.
“Are you really worried someone’s going to hurt me?” she asks when I poke my head in the closet.
Everything’s empty and still. Just like I assumed it would be. “Not right now, but I’m being careful.”
“This is our wedding night.” She sounds a little hysterical as I stand at the edge of her bed. She’s lurking in the doorway, staring at me with a stunned smile on her face. “I mean, seriously. We got married earlier.”
“I’m aware.” I spin the ring on my finger with my thumb. “Not used to wearing this yet.”
“Go ahead and take it off.” She drinks slowly, staring at me. “Not like I’ll care.”
“I’ll care if you go around without yours.” I almost dare her to fight me on that, but she only shrugs.
Too much of a good girl to argue.
“What do we do now? I’m guessing you’re not on cleanup duty?”
“Not me personally, but I’ll have other duties.” I sit down on the edge of her bed, exhaustion tugging at me. “I’ll speak with his family. I think he had a girlfriend. Maybe more than one, who knows. There will be payments to handle. Grieving people to reassure. Confused, angry clan members. The funeral.” I sigh, tilting my head back. “A lot of mess for nothing.”
“You don’t know who did it?”