****

Slavik

The attack had come from the Italian mafia. They were Fredo’s men, but I also noticed they were not his close, most trusted men. They were a small group of soldiers, and several men had been outsourced with clear training. I already had my computer guy run a check on all of the men we’d killed. Their IDs had to be fakes.

I’d expected an attack at the party, but not from Fredo.

We had enemies far and wide. Some from within the Bratva.

Ivan had taken the brotherhood into a new era, and some preferred the old ways of dealing dirty and hiding in the shadow. However, Ivan had an idea that expanded across all areas. It was why we were all wealthy and had several businesses across all industries. It gave us ties across the entire world and not just in one city.

Where the old generation was happy to be on the streets, taking on the weak, Ivan went after the strong to make his force even stronger. We all worked together.

Staring down at my wife, I had to ask the questions now. Ivan wanted her for questioning. With how she looked, she wouldn’t survive it. She’d been petrified. “What is going to happen?”

“Volkov wants to talk to you.”

Her lip wobbled. “Of course he does.” She nibbled on her lip. “I had nothing to do this with. I swear. I saw an opportunity with Roger Hampton, it’s not a ploy.”

“I know.”

She gasped. “You do?”

“I saw the way the man attacked you. I was getting to you. If you’d been part of this, you’d have seen it coming.” I had no doubt she was innocent of this attack, but now, I was curious. Her father sent in those men, knowing we’d turn to her.

I rounded the table and looked down at her back. There were several cuts, and the doctor had put some Band-Aids on the worst ones. The others already had dried blood on them.

“Change quickly. Ivan doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

She stood up, holding the towel to her chest. “If … if I have to die tonight, will you be the one asked to kill me?”

I gritted my teeth. She knew our world so well. From the look in her eyes, she seemed devastated. I’d never taken the time to read people for these kinds of emotions. I wasn’t sure if I liked what I saw in her eyes.

“Get dressed,” I said. Without another word, I turned my back and left the bedroom.

I folded my arms and waited. Sergei stood, ready and waiting. Over the past few weeks, I’d started to notice the way he looked at my wife. I didn’t like it.

“Sergei, you know your job is to protect my wife,” I said.

“Of course, sir.” He bowed his head, performing all the necessary respectful moves, but I didn’t see it, and he knew it.

“Keep your eyes off my woman or I’m going to have to remove you from this position and find someone else who can follow my rules.”