Page 122 of The Bratva King

“And a kid. They’re staying here.”

The silence stretches.

“Sergei?”

“I’m sorry, I thought you just said there’s a woman and a child living at your estate.”

“I did.”

“Your estate. The one nobody goes to. The one you guard like a state secret.”

“Yes.”

“Who is she?”

“A dealer from the casino. She needed a place to stay. She has a four-year-old son.”

“And you just... moved them in.”

“Yes.”

He laughs, something Sergei rarely does.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing. It’s just... I didn’t think I’d see the day.”

“See what day?”

“The day you let someone into your life.” He pauses. “Are you involved with her?”

Am I?

I inhale and catch the scent of the shampoo she uses.

“Yes.”

“Does she know what you are?”

“She knows enough.”

“And the kid?”

“His name is Luke. He likes dinosaurs. He’s quiet. Sees things differently.”

Another laugh. Quieter this time. “You like him.”

“I do.”

“Be careful, Nikolai. The second they matter to you, they become leverage.”

“I know.”

“Do you? You just painted a target on their backs by keeping them in your house.”

“They’re safer with me than anywhere else.”

“Maybe. But if the Italians find out about them…”