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17
ALEXEI
My solnyshka is avoiding me.
She’s barely spoken two words to me since the other night when my brothers decided to show up unannounced.
I thought we had established some sort of truce by including her in the conversation about Gilanto, but it seems to have done the opposite.
Every time I enter a room, she leaves, no matter if she’s sitting at the table, eating a meal, or painting in her studio. It’s as if she suddenly can’t stand to be in my presence.
I should be glad. Growing close to Bianca was never the plan because it would be too much of a risk to both of us. I’ve let myself lose focus and forget about the promise I made to Emilio, the promise I made to myself.
Protect Bianca at all costs.
I find her sitting at her easel, her back to me as she works on a new piece.
She’s still sketching it out, so I can’t work out what it is yet.
I gently rap my knuckles on the door, and her back stiffens. I try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach as she doesn’t even bother to look around.
“I have to go into the city tonight. Micah is downstairs.” To keep an eye on you. I don’t say the second part out loud—it’ll only make her sulk more.
I hover for a moment to see if she might try to fight me, to demand to come along and remind me that she’s now a part of this family.
But she doesn’t.
She simply picks up her paintbrush, dips it in the red paint, and smears it across the blank canvas like blood.
I head down to where Micah is waiting.
He’s a big guy, almost six foot seven, with a shaved head, and full sleeve tattoos on both arms.
“She’s in her studio.”
He nods, crossing his arms over his chest.
“She’ll likely stay there until I get back.”
Another nod as Micah leans against the banister as I double check my weapons tucked inside my jacket. “Any word on Ricci?”
My teeth grind together at the mention of Ricci.
Even if it turns out that the man I thought was originally responsible for my parents death was not the one, he is far from innocent. The fucker is a vengeful and sadistic monster, and he deserves to die either way.
But what I want most of all is justice. For my parents. For my brothers who had to grow up with only me to guide them.
And for myself, who had to go through all of this and grow up from one minute to the next.
“I’m counting on my brothers to have some new information for me this evening.”
Other than my brothers and our cousin Anton, Micah and Feliks are the only two people I trust to keep my family secrets. Having a constant target on your back means it's hard to find people you can trust, who won’t betray you in exchange for money or protection.
“I’m meeting Asim tonight.”
“Alone?” Micah’s dark brows pull together.
“I can handle him.” I chuckle, tucking my handgun back into my right breast holster.
