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16
Jasha
“You heard me correctly,” I say, pacing up and down the hallway so fast that I might as well be running. “The helicopter can lift it. We lifted an entire semi-truck that one time.”
“Yes, but this is fuel. Can you imagine that stuff sloshing around? It could throw the whole thing off balance. Not to mention the issue of getting that much diesel fuel at such short notice.”
“We don’t have a choice,” I reply.
“We do have a choice, but you’re not going to like what it is,” he replies.
“What?”
“Stop the train, get off, and let the Italians have it. This might not be worth the risk you’re taking, Jasha.”
I groan. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for this shipment? I’m certain the ruby is on this train. I’ve traced it all the way from the original thieves to this exact train. You’ll see…”
“I don’t need to see. I trust you. I just don’t want you throwing your life away over something so trivial.”
“Our Family honor isn’t trivial,” I growl, my face growing hot. “And this isn’t something you can just forget about like some kind of cheap costume jewelry. It was stolen from us and needs to be returned.”
Nikolai takes a calmer approach. “What I’m saying is that we don’t need to risk your life to get it right now. We can track it again, and find it once it’s been sold.”
“That’s harder than you think.”
“But worth saving a life,” he replies. “I care about you, and I’m not going to let you get killed over something like this. Just dump the girl on the tracks and leave. I’ll pick you up in the helicopter.”
“I’m not doing that, and I can’t dump the girl. It’s complicated.”
“Catching feelings? You sounded like you were before, but now really isn’t the time for that.”
I laugh. “You’retellingme. I’m just… not ready to talk about it. Trust me when I say this is important, though. I’ll explain everything once I’m back at the house. I expect you to be there, like we talked about.”
“The whole family is here,” he replies with a chuckle. “We’re just waiting for you.”
“Great,” I say, feeling a small surge of happiness from the thoughts of the family finally being together again. I feel like I don’t see enough of everyone, and the years go by quicker each time. Eventually, we’re going to run out, and I’ll regret having spent more time with the people I love.
And then there’s Lola. I know I shouldn’t be so resistant to her, but I’m still not sure I’m ready for what comes once she’s accepted into the Family. I wasn’t joking about the marriage bit. It’s essential to keeping the bloodline intact and my heir in the correct position to inherit the Bratva throne.
Lola is pregnant with my baby, and that means she’s Bratva, whether she likes it or not.
“So, you’re still serious about the helicopter. It’s been ages since I flew that thing.”
“Send someone else to fly it, then,” I bark. “We need the fuel.”
“I’ll bring it, and then I’ll text you the coordinates. How about that?”
“Thanks,” I say, realizing how harsh I’ve been with him. “I mean it. You’re doing me a huge favor.”
“I’m sure you can find a way to get me back for it,” Nikolai replies, a hint of playfulness in his voice. Despite his former leading role in the Bratva, he’s always just a brother to me. That’s what matters the most.
“Two-hundred and fifty. Remember that, and if you can do more, do it. Just not less. We’re already running on a tank that’s close to empty.”
“I got you. Don’t worry.”
Easier said than done, but I leave the worrying to him as I hang up the phone and go back to the room to inform Lola of our progress. If we manage to fill up the tank and get on our way again in a short enough amount of time, we can make it to Texas before the Italians catch up.
Thankfully, I’ve seen no sign of them, and we can probably thank the snow for that. This weather is dangerous, but now that it’s clearing up, we’re going to have to be more watchful.
