Maria
The sun is elusive this morning, and grayness dominates the light in our bedroom. I’m tangled in the soft sheets, feeling the warmth from Mikhail’s body beside me. I close my eyes again, attempting to hold onto the peace of the moment, but it’s shattered by the sound of Mikhail’s phone.
“Shit.” His face turns grim as he listens to the voice on the other end. Mikhail bolts upright, throwing off the sheets and leaping out of our bed. He quickly dresses, the muscles in his back flexing as he pulls on his button-down shirt.
Sitting up, I clutch the sheet against my chest. “What is it?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“Pavel,” he replies rapidly. “Larissa’s home is under attack. We suspect the Lanzzare are behind it because of Mercy.” He pauses, dressing long enough to meet my gaze. “It’s legit, Maria.”
The pounding on the bedroom door startles me, and Mikhail swings it open. From the hallway, Pavel’s voice is urgent, borderline panicked, sending alarm through me. “Rurik is on ajob,” he says. “He isn’t at the house, and neither are his men. Just a few guards, all new.”
Swearing, Mikhail rushes into the closet, and I hear him open the strongbox that holds his gun. The metal lid slams shut, and he curses again before marching back into the bedroom.
My heart pounds as if it will come out of my chest. I trusted Uncle Vito and convinced Mikhail to do the same. I believed the Lanzzare wouldn’t retaliate. But deep down, I knew something would happen.
Mikhail taps his phone and puts the call on speaker while he finishes dressing. He shouts at the phone. “Rurik? What’s wrong?”
Rurik’s voice is strained and breathless when he answers. “I’m caught in an ambush. They must have planned this, knowing we’d be spread thin. I have no one to go to the house.”
“Can’t you get out?” Mikhail asks.
“I’m trying.” His voice reveals his frustration. He’s trapped while Larissa needs him at home.
“I’m heading to your house,” Mikhail replies immediately.
The phone is quiet, and then a sharp report sounds from a gun. “Yob tvoyu mat’,” Rurik curses. “They’re boxing us in. Tell Lara I’ll get there as soon as I can.”
“Take care of yourself, Rurik. I’ll go to Lara.” Mikhail shoves the phone into his pants pocket. He has no time to waste with a jacket and tie. “You and Mercy are to stay here,” he says. “Don’t leave the apartment for any reason. With anybody.”
“I won’t.” My hands tremble, and I feel helpless, watching him get ready to leave. I stare at Mikhail wildly, knowing he has to go, and no matter how hard I beg, he won’t stay.
“This could be a trick.” My heart squeezes with worry for Larissa, but I must say what I think. “They want to lure you away from here.”
For a moment, Mikhail hesitates, torn between protecting me and saving his sister. But the danger Larissa faces is imminent, and I understand that. He sits on the bed beside me, allowing me to hold onto him for a moment.
“I have to take the chance.” Mikhail gently removes my grip from his arm, and his thumb traces the curve of my cheek. “Watch Mercy. I’ll be back as soon as I can, Maria.”
I wonder if that’s a promise he’ll keep.
My voice trembles. “Call me when you’re both safe.” I press my lips to his before he rushes out the door.
I feel like I’m suffocating under relentless doubt, and the penthouse suddenly feels like a prison again, the walls closing in on me. I leap out of bed and quickly get dressed. Guilt harasses me as I pull on a pair of jeans. If my father had told me the truth, maybe none of this would be happening. Or if I hadn’t gotten pregnant. Or if I had stayed home instead of running away.
Well, it’s too late for second guesses, and I must deal with the severe outcome.
Shaking off the guilt, I rush to find Mercy.
I hurry through the penthouse and notice there are fewer guards. Pavel and the rest must have gone with Mikhail. A recruit who looks younger than me checks the locks at every entry point as a staff member follows behind. My gaze meets Dominika’s for a second, and she gives me a subtle nod. Her expression is reserved, as usual, but there is a tightness around her mouth. We both think alike now, and I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
I run up the spiral staircase to find Mercy, and she’s not in her room. She’s been given privileges since our meeting with Uncle Vito and is allowed access to certain rooms. I hurry back down the stairs and practically run toward the natatorium on the lower level.
I reach the door to the pool as a muffled crash echoes through the penthouse.