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Lena’s eyes narrow on her husband as she presses into his side. She leans into his ear, voice low, but I still hear every word. “…want my house back, Boris. Yourpakhanhas a duty to protect his men and their families.”
Boris murmurs something back to her that I don’t hear. Whatever it is, she doesn’t seem pleased as she slinks up the stairs.
The moment she disappears, he turns to me. “Forgive me,pakhan. It’s been a long night.”
“She feared for her children’s lives. I’ll forgive her almost anything.”
“She is grateful for?—”
I hold up my hand and he falls silent. “I have a team of men working on restoring your house. When you move back in, you’ll have twenty-four-hour security, at least until Jasper is found.”
“That’s… Thank you,pakhan.”
“I take care of my people, Boris,” I grit out.
I try to, at least.
“I don’t understand why any of this happened.” Boris looks to the staircase as though he’s worried his wife is still listening in. “Lena was right: Jasper and I were always on friendly terms.”
“He’s trying to sow doubt in the ranks. I don’t think he expected to be caught on your security camera.”
If the alliance with Enzo wasn’t so new, I might mention that Jasper is trying to pin this string of destruction on the Italians. As it is, I don’t want to do him any favors.
“I heard one of the warehouses was attacked this morning. Was that him, too?”
I tense up. It’s never a good thing when information circulates too freely. “Where did you hear that?”
“From Vasily.”
I take a breath. Vasily, at least, is a Bratva brother. “Be careful who you swap stories with, Boris. We can’t afford to have untrustworthy information percolate around our organization.”
“Of course, sir.” I rise to my feet and he follows suit. “Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”
I clap him on the back. “For right now, just take care of your family.”
I’ll admit, it’s not the kind of sentiment I’d have left him with a few years ago. But times have changed. I’ve never been more aware of just how important family is. Especially when the stakes are this high.
As I walk down the street to my new car, I pull out my phone and check the live security feed from Laila’s studio. It’s one of the many security upgrades that have made her being at the studio without me even halfway bearable.
She’s conducting a yoga session for a small group of veterans. I recognize several of them from her launch party, including the barista from next door, Carrie.
As the session winds to a close, Laila’s eyes flit to the camera again and again. It’s almost like she knows I’m watching.
The moment her class clears out, she picks up her phone. I’m smiling as I answer mine. “Hey, you.”
“Stalking me again?”
“I enjoy watching you work.”
Even through the footage, I see her blush. “You don’t have to worry. Everything is fine here. Gedeon’s like one of those stone guardian statues. I don’t even think he takes restroom breaks. The boys even have a motion detector set up outside the door.”
I get behind the wheel and start the engine. “If you’re done, I’ll swing by and pick you up.”
“That’s okay. Gedeon can take?—”
“I’m already on my way.”
She sighs, smiling as she shakes her head at the camera. “See you soon.”
