It’s the first time I’ve been so close to the woman I long for. “Sofia, I will return in the morning for you. I promise.” A stray tear runs down her cheek, and I swipe it away.
“My father will kill you. He’ll feed you to Amari,” Her voice shakes.
“I’ll protect you, Sofia.” I shake my head. “He may be pakhan, but I’ve got connections too.”
Her eyes still brim with tears, and I do something I shouldn’t. I wrap an arm around her back and pull her to me, holding her against my chest. She cries freely against my white shirt.
It’s beyond wrong that I’m aroused, especially while she is so upset. I can’t help my reactions to her. It’s been torture these past two years. Unable to touch her or cross the line, I’ve longed to cross.
“Don’t cry, Maliska.” The word baby girl in Russian is out before I can reconsider it. I know it’s wrong to call her that, and she tenses in my arms.
All I want to do is stay with her and hold her all night, but I can’t. If I’m going to save her from Dima, I need to make my move tonight.
“I will return in the morning.” I pull away from her, wiping the tears from her face gently. “Be ready to leave with me and pack anything dear to you.”
As long as everything goes to plan, she will never step foot in this house again. She nods her head in response, and I stand to leave. If I spend too long here, I won’t be able to leave her.
My heart rate speeds up as her soft hand entwines with mine, stopping me. I glance back at her.
“Thank you, Miron.” Her eyes hold such adoration as she gazes up at
me.
I grit my teeth, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from taking her right
here on this sofa. “You’re welcome.” I pull away from her and walk out of her room without another glance back. Time is of the essence since Luka intends to send her off tomorrow night. I know what I need to do.
“MIRON?” Aleksander squints at me from his front door.
“I’m sorry for the late hour. I had no choice.” I stare at him, hoping he won’t turn me away. He is my only chance to save Sofia.
His brow furrows, and he nods his head. “Come in.”
I step inside as he shuts the door, locking it. “Are you in trouble?”
“You could say that.” I run a hand through my hair, trying not to dwell too much on what I’m about to do. “Luka is marrying Sofia to Dima Veselov and has signed a contract.” I sigh heavily. “I’m not going to let him.”
Aleksander’s eyes widen. “He will kill you.”
I shrug. “I won’t be here when Luka realizes I’ve taken her, but I need to know what legalities are in this contract.” I narrow my eyes. “Will you be able to access it?”
Aleks stares at me in silence for a while, before nodding. “I can, but I would advise against it.”
“All due respect, I don’t want advice.”
He nods his head. “Fair enough. I owe you still, so if you’re calling it in.” He holds his hands up. “I’ll do it.”
I nod my head. “Thanks.”
He leads the way into his home, entering his office at the end of the corridor. “Have a seat.” He gestures to the leather chair in front of his desk.
My muscles are coiled and tense.
My heart pounds as I wonder if I’ve made a mistake coming to Aleksander about this. His loyalties lie with the brotherhood, even if he does disapprove of Luka as much as I do. I trust no one in this world.
Our brotherhood has been my life for as long as I can remember, but Luka has been becoming more difficult to stand by.
He’s self-centered and cruel. Any man that would subject his daughter to a man like Dima Veselov isn’t worthy of my support.
I’ve known it for a long while, but Luka has changed in too many ways. A lump forms in my throat as I remember how close we were back in Russia. Once, we had shared the same values and dreams. The power has gone straight to his head.
“It will take me a few minutes to access the system and find the document.” His brow furrows. “I’m surprised this is the first I’m hearing of it since Luka normally comes to me for contracts.”
I bite my bottom lip, wondering why Luka didn’t approach Aleksander. Is it possible he already questions my loyalty? Aleksander and I have always been close. My stomach twists with unease as I wonder how clever my pakhan truly is.
Did he break the news to me and order me to tell Sofia the truth in an attempt to force my hand?
Aleksander types away at the computer, and I sit waiting. My stomach is a mess. It’s not every day that someone goes against their pakhan and gets away with it. What I’m doing is reckless and could cause a war if I’m not careful.
My intention to flee to Andrei will flare tensions between the New York brotherhood and the Los Angele brotherhood, solidifying our brotherhood’s place in the feud. It’s my only choice. I’ll abandon everything I know to keep her safe.
Andrei is the only pakhan I’d trust to help me. He’s also the only pakhan that is far enough away from here to keep us safe. Luka doesn’t have much influence on the east coast.
Aleks claps his hands. “Found it.”
I stand and go to stand behind his chair, reading over his shoulder. “Is it bad?”
Aleks nods his head. “From a legal standpoint, it’s iron fucking clad.” He shakes his head. “Other than the fact they are discussing marrying two girls off against their wills.”
I sigh heavily. “Can I pull it off, though?”
He shrugs. “They’ll both come after you for this. Luka and Georgy. I assume you have a plan of where to go.”
I nod my head, saying nothing more. The less he knows, the better. “I wish you would reconsider,” Aleks says.
I glance at him, narrowing my eyes. “Why?”
He chuckles and holds up his hands. “Don’t worry. You have nothing to fear from me. I admire your courage, but it’s a death sentence.”
I run a hand over the back of my neck. “It’s better than subjecting Sofia to Dima. I’ll do anything to keep her away from him.”
Aleks stands and walks toward a small drinks cabinet, grabbing out an old bottle of vodka. “I think this deserves a toast since it’s probably the last time I’ll ever see you again.”
I nod my head, accepting a small shot glass of vodka. He holds his glass up. “Good luck, brother.”
I clink my glass against his, before knocking it back. It’s time. I can’t waste another moment. The clock on the wall has struck midnight, which means it’s time for me to set my plan into motion.