Page 105 of Reaper’s Wrath

He flashes a knowing grin. “Glad to hear it. And in more good news, the tracker on the knife is working.”

“Good.” I nod. “After my interaction with Ruban, I’m more convinced than ever the guy is a psychopath. Something definitely isn’t right with him.”

“Exactly, and that’s why he’ll keep the knife with him. He wants you dead, and that’s the ultimate keepsake—your signature weapon.”

“Let’s hope so.” I take a sip from my mug before changing the subject. “I’m sorry I had to leave you hanging about your dad.”

“You had other stuff to deal with. I knew you’d talk to me when you had a chance.”

I join him at the table, my expression sobering. “I wish I had concrete evidence to give you, but that isn’t the case. What I will say is that you and your dad came up in the short time I was with Ruban, and his reaction to me mentioning Biba killing your dad didn’t sit right.”

“What made you think he was behind it?”

“Aside from acting like a kid who got away with sneaking a cookie? It just makes sense. We don’t know why your dad was killed. What if he found out about Ruban doing business behind Biba’s back and was going to tell the boss? Ruban would have every reason to silence him.”

Michael’s midnight stare cuts back to me, all levity eviscerated. “You’re right. It’s the first thing that’s made sense since finding out my dad was dead.” His jaw flexes as he processes. “You know, my mom didn’t agree with how my dad lived his life, but he was a good man. That’s why I ended up following in his footsteps with the Bratva. I admired his sense of honor and loyalty. He taught me how to be a man.”

“For what it’s worth, there aren’t many men I respect, but you’re one of them, and that speaks volumes to me about his impact as a father.”

Rather than make a joke or deflect, Michael remains utterly stoic. “For what it’s worth,” he repeats back to me. “I feel the same about you, which makes it all the more odd that you won’t talk to your father.”

Shit, I walked right into that one.

I hide in my coffee, taking a slow sip. “There’s a time I would have agreed with you, but...”

“But what?”

“It’s complicated, okay?”

“I get that.” He keeps at me, refusing to give in. “Keep in mind that he won’t be around forever. Take it from someone who knows.”

The sigh that empties my lungs is dense with twenty years of festering pain.

“I’ll take that into consideration.” And I will. It’s somewhat unavoidable with Isa in my life, but that’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make to be with her. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I’d do anything for her. That includes facing my parents, but first, there’s another parent I need to address.

“I need to run into the city for a bit. You need anything while I’m there?”

“Ruban on a rope?” Michael says with a vicious smirk.

“Soon,” I assure him.

Two hours later, I’m standing at Cosimo Costa’s front door feeling like I’m about to ask a father for permission to take his daughter to prom. It’s strange to be a man in his late thirties feeling like a kid again. My entire world has been flipped upside down.

Actually, that’s not right.

My world has been flipped right-side up after twenty years of being upside down. My timeline has corrected itself. I can only hope it all ends up for the better.

Two men with their weapons raised flank me on either side as I stand at Cosimo’s front door. I wasn’t killed on sight, so that’s something. When the thick wooden door slowly opens, Cosimo stands on the other side like a vengeful Zeus gripping his thunderbolts.

To say he is unhappy would be an understatement, yet the door is open, and my heart still beats.

“I’d like to talk, if you’re willing,” I offer evenly, hoping a calm tone will keep tensions down.

His eyes flick to the men behind me briefly before he steps back and allows me entry.

“You’ve got some gall coming here without her.”

“In all honesty, I’m surprised you’re allowing me in.”