Page 34 of Righteous Enforcer
"What happened?" I ask, not sure if I should offer condolences.
I don’t normally wish people dead, but it’s hard to feel bad about the death of a man who said he’d kill me and my unborn child.
"He was murdered. Car bomb. Bratva. He was working toward peace, even an alliance. Maksim seemed on board, but behind the scenes, he was making a power play, had spies infiltrating us.”
I blink, hoping he doesn’t see my reaction to his mention of spies. "When?"
"Just over a year ago." His eyes study my reaction carefully.
“But you’ve avenged him?” I don’t know why it’s important that I believe that. I suppose it’s because if not, they’re still looking for a traitor.
“So to speak. Pyotr, Katerina’s brother?”
“I remember him.”
“He was the one mostly involved, but not the only. Victorio was too.”
My throat constricts. Is this why I'm here? Does Adriano believe I had something to do with his father's death?
"Victorio. But he loved your family. He was loyal to a fault, especially to Luca."
"He was on Maksim Vasiliev's payroll for years," Adriano says bitterly. "Feeding information to the Russians. When Luca learned it, he wasted no time… "
He doesn’t finish the sentence, but I know what’s saying. Luca killed his best friend for betraying him.
“All that plus what went down when Maksim was supposed to marry Valentina?—”
“What?” I’m horrified by the idea.
“To fix the alliance. Valentina agreed to it, but well… Maksim?—”
“He’s a sadist.”
Adriano’s head jerks back, his expression confused. “How do you know?”
Oh, no, I’ve tipped my hand. “Just rumors.”
He studies me, and I think he doesn’t believe me. “Well, her bodyguard killed Maksim and now she’s in Chicago with him and Luca. We thought things would calm down, and they did until Ivan returned. It’s why Alessandro is so suspicious."
I nod, understanding now why Alessandro was so quick to mistrust me.
And I suppose he should.
There are still secrets I'm keeping, but I’m not against them.
I’m not out to betray them.
"I should get some rest," I say. "It's been a long day."
Adriano nods, his expression guarded. "Of course. You'll need your strength."
I straighten from the wall, feeling so weary and at the same time, a sense of safety. Maybe I’ll sleep well tonight.
"Good night, Adriano," I say, taking a tentative step toward the bedroom.
My ankle gives way, and I stumble forward with a small gasp.
Before I can fall, Adriano's there, his strong arms catching me.
