Page 94 of Bratva Menace

His hand waved through the air in an I know, I know kind of gesture. “What about Father? Is he still at Sergei’s estate? Is he still at risk?”

“He’s still there. The…plan is still in place. Father is going to do it.”

Illayana was talking in code, completely unaware that I knew exactly what she was referring to.

“He is?” Lukyan asked with a frown. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. There was something there. Some emotion he was masking, hiding from not only his sister, but me too.

I was going to find out what it was.

“Look, Lukyan. I don’t care if that bitch is listening.”

I chuckled, finding her attitude humorous.

“You kill her, you hear me? You kill her and come back home.”

Our eyes locked, and he held my gaze. I arched a brow in curiosity. What are you going to say, baby? Are you going to say you’ll kill me?

Could you?

I doubted it. He might not be consciously aware of our bond, but it was there. I felt it in my soul, and I knew that, one day, he would too.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said instead, and a small sense of triumph filled me. “Are the rest of the family?”

“Aleksandr is going crazy looking for you. Nikolai too. And don’t think I didn’t notice you completely ignored what I said. I know you heard me. Don’t fall for her bullshit. She’s fucking crazy.”

Her insults didn’t bother me, but I felt compelled to point something out. “You seem to be forgetting I saved your lives.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

The frown on Lukyan’s face told me he was just as confused by that as his sister.

“Talon’s island. I was the one who found out its coordinates and sent them to your brother’s wife. Because of me, you are all alive right now. I think that’s earned me a little bit of respect, don’t you?”

“You kidnapped my brother!”

“Yes. And it’s my greatest achievement to date.” I winked at Lukyan. “Thirty seconds.”

“Illayana, listen to me,” he hurried out. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to find a way to convince her to let me go.” Fat chance of that happening. “Focus on helping Father. He needs it more than I do. I’m just glad you’re all safe.”

“Lukyan, tell me something that will help us find you. What do you see? What landmarks are there? Have you seen any towns? Who is she? Give me something.”

His mouth compressed into a hard line. Again, he looked at me, and I did nothing but stare back. It would be up to him to reveal my identity. It wouldn’t help them locate us if he did. I’d purchased the house under an alias. In town, they only knew me as Lyla. They didn’t know my last name. There was nothing in my identity that could be traced back to us.

Lukyan chose to answer none of her questions. “I love you.”

“No, wait⁠—”

Beep, beep, beep.

Silence drifted into the air. He stared at the phone in his hands, his thoughts raging behind those stunning, big blue eyes.

“I like her,” I said, wanting desperately to break that silence between us.

“What?” He laughed. “She called you a crazy bitch.”

Shrugging a shoulder, I took the phone from him and locked it, placing it down on the ground. “She’s only telling the truth. I am a crazy bitch, and fucking proud of it. Do you feel better now?”

“Yes,” he exhaled. “I do, actually.”