His expression shifted to one of amusement. “Isn’t that what every attorney does when arguing a case?”

  “We work within the law. If any of the stories I’ve heard about your family are the truth, you believe you’re above the law and create your own rules suiting your purposes.”

  “Who doesn’t believe in the law of the greater good? You said so yourself. You abide by right versus wrong. So do my family and millions of others. With every misdeed there are consequences that must be paid.”

  I shook my head. “Agreed to a point. However, there’s a major difference between those who pledge to honor the letter of the law already in effect and those who create their own rules on a whim.”

  “You have me curious.”

  “You act without positive proof. You act based on anger, not on evidence.” I walked closer, daring to be bold enough to take the book from his hand. “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

  “You seem surprised again.”

  “I am. Why select this book?”

  As he’d done before, he crowded my space. “Because the brilliantly written story is about the roots and consequences of racism and prejudice and how good and evil can coexist in a community.”

  “Good versus evil, a cornerstone of my beliefs.”

  “Right versus wrong.” He smirked as if testing me.

  I had to think about why he seemed fascinated by this story in particular. “Your family was persecuted when they came to America. They were treated as outsiders.”

  “Very good. Yes, they were. They came here seeking to remove themselves from the Bratva and the heinous crimes. They’d believed they could lose their heritage and start over. But that wasn’t allowed. They were treated not only as outsiders, but as evil personified because of their thick accents alone. I was just a boy, but I was bullied, beaten by kids whose parents looked the other way. Teachers looked the other way. We had to prove ourselves, but even after doing so, they were still mistreated, lied to. And betrayed. They returned to their own ways.”

  “Through violence and bloodshed?”

  He cupped my face, peering down at me with even more extreme emotion than I’d seen before. “Maybe initially, Bristol. There’s no reason for me to lie to you. That’s what my father and uncle knew by birthright; using force to get what they wanted. And after a time, the bullying stopped.”

  “By force.”

  Every laugh, every sound he made held some bitterness. “Yes, by force, but that’s not where my family is at today. At least for the most part. Both men sacrificed to make better lives for their wives and children, believing in the American dream. That didn’t change when they developed the Bratva in Las Vegas. They worked hard and after a few years were able to capitalize on their efforts. You might not believe me, but in building an empire, they worked tirelessly while living in squalor just to put food on the table.”

  “The American dream.”

  Another bitter laugh. “Yes, it took time, but we built something we are proud of. I refuse to allow anyone to take that away.”

  “Sergio was more than an employee or even just a friend. Wasn’t he?”

  As he brushed his thumb across my bottom lip, pulling it open slightly, he took a deep breath. “During the years I was bullied, my father was too busy to pay attention. He was never home and when he was, he wasn’t capable of being supportive. I was an angry kid, incapable of controlling my rage. And my fear. Sergio became another father, a man who truly taught me about right versus wrong and that being Bratva was about more than the violence and bloodshed you mentioned, but also about loyalty and respect to both old and new ways. Plus, he also taught me that intelligence was often the best weapon to be used. Along with my father’s love of reading, I discovered a new world, gleaning everything I could about dozens of subjects from books and encyclopedias back in the day when they were still around.”

  He laughed from his memory.

  But I sensed his extreme sadness. Suddenly, a rush of emotions tore through me.

  “Sergio sounds very wise.”

  “Yes, and I take his death personally.” He took the book from my hand, sliding it back onto the bookshelf. “Which is why you should be able to understand my frustration with you for not providing me with the truth.”

  “Being in this position isn’t something I asked for or wanted. No one in their right mind would.”

  “Touché.”

  The sudden tension between us was fraught with questions, yet I had no idea what to say to the man.

  “There are other aspects of importance with To Kill a Mockingbird including courage and compassion. Without both within our society, people cannot thrive. That’s why I believe in the law. The framework allows all of us to explore the opportunities that we justly deserve.”

  “Very wise for someone so young. Also, very naïve. Unfortunately, evil often undermines acts of goodness, making futile the very compassion you mention.”

  “How very sad it must be to be so jaded. What about joy? What about love? Don’t they counteract the evil in your world?”

  He pointed to a chair, silently directing me to sit. I didn’t argue, taking a seat while he moved to the couch. “In my world, love can be used as a weapon. Many a woman has professed her love only to be found with a knife behind her back.”

  “Ouch. Then I can’t imagine living in your world, Mikhail. That would be too depressing.”

  “It can be, but losing someone you care about is worse. Betrayal I know how to handle. Loss? Well, let’s just say I’m not well equipped.” He leaned forward, shifting his drink from one hand to the other. The moment of pain had returned, the anguish in his eyes pulling at something deep inside of me.

  His admittance played heavily on my emotions. I suddenly felt the need to help him. Maybe even to trust him. But everything I’d been taught pushed against the idea. We were two different people and at the end of the day, we were on opposite sides of the law. But were we really any different?

  I’d also been taught there were two sides to every person and that the lines of good versus evil often clashed. And I knew not to judge someone by what others believed or insisted they knew. Yet I’d judged him based on what I’d seen in the news. Everything about him confused me.

  “I’m so sorry about Sergio, Mikhail. I can only imagine how his murder has affected you, but love of family and friends, love of your soulmate is something special, a true gift. If we allow sorrow or fear of losing someone to take that away, then there’s very little to live for. I’ll keep believing love can conquer all, including evil. I’ll also keep believing there are heroes who will always fight for what’s good and just. You’re not a bad man, Mikhail. You’re simply a little broken inside. But we all are.”

  “The sooner you learn there are no heroes, Bristol, the better off you’ll be in your career. Isn’t that something your father taught you?”

  “My dad taught me the difference in right and wrong. He also was a proponent of the idea misbehavior required consequences.”

  “Even if the information or evidence as you mentioned is fabricated?”

  I wasn’t certain how to take what he was suggesting. “My father is a good man. From everything I’ve heard, he was a brilliant prosecutor and is an amazing mayor.” When he said nothing, I became more irritated. “How dare you act as if my father is a bad man.”

  “I didn’t say your father was a bad man. From what I can tell, he did very well raising a beautiful and highly intelligent daughter with high moral standards. What you also need to learn is that there isn’t a single person who’s innately good or bad and that even the best men and women can be lured in another direction.”

  “Just when I think that I understand you and feel some sense of admiration for your conviction, you act like you’re nothing but a common criminal. You lecture me on the upstanding attributes of my father, undermining what he’s done, even insinuating he’s a criminal less than an hour after you kidnapped me. For all I know, you plan on killing me after you get the answers you want to hear. Answer me this, who’s the real criminal?”

  His eyes flashed and he took and held a deep breath for several seconds. “I’m not lecturing you on anything. You will believe what you need to believe until proven otherwise. I admire and respect that. I assume you have intentions of accepting the job your father offered.” He lifted both eyebrows, waiting to see if he surprised me.

  How he knew about the job offer was inconsequential at this point. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no, I do not. Not because my father’s cause isn’t a decent one, but because I prefer to make choices about my life myself. Certainly that’s something you can understand, or are you too jaded to appreciate decency and drive?”

  “Drive I have plenty of. Decency is questionable.”

  He allowed the words to sink in.

  “I guess you’re right,” I whispered.

  “As several factions within this town would tell you and perhaps you’ve already determined yourself, I’m not a good man. At least not by the standards obviously set by your father. Have I been involved in criminal activity in my lifetime? Absolutely, Bristol. Men have cowered in my presence. Traitors have been punished for betraying me. Thieves have been banished from my casinos. Murderers have faced my wrath. However, I can assure you that those who suffered were not innocent. What I have never done is to hurt a woman. That is not within my makeup nor is it something I will tolerate within my employ.”

  His second conviction was heartfelt, yet there was no way I could trust him even as another wave of desire coursed through me. “What are you trying to say?”

  “That if I wanted harm to come to you, that would have occurred without bothering to question what happened or your motives. Or I’d allow the name of the witness to leak so the people responsible for killing Sergio hunted you down.”

  “You wouldn’t.” My eyes opened wide.

  “As you continue to think I’m nothing but a common criminal, perhaps you can answer that. Now, I believe in your innocence and while you might not like what I have to say or what I require, that doesn’t change the fact Sergio was murdered and at minimum you witnessed the aftermath of the crime. You are part of this. You will tell me everything I need to know or your stay with me will be extremely unpleasant. The choice is up to you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes. I do understand. Whatever we shared was nothing more than a pleasantry in a world of opulence.” There was no sense in denying he was right. I was embroiled in this mess.

  “Opulence. I can understand why you see my life and my business in such broad terms. However, you’re going to need to place some trust in me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I might be the only man who can keep you alive. But for that, you owe me.”

  “I don’t owe you anything.”

  “You should think differently, my perfect angel.” The way he was studying me was as if I was eagerly hiding an additional dark and ugly secret.

  Another trickle of fear reminded me he was right. I could be in extreme danger, but what was more dangerous, the monsters who’d killed Sergio or the man intent on keeping me against my will? As twisted as the thought was, he was right. This wasn’t my world. This was his. “I understand, but trust is earned, not commanded.”

  His intense stare was even more unnerving.

  “And right now, I don’t have time to give you what you need. If my instincts are correct, Sergio’s murder won’t be the only one and I might be the only person in this city who can put an end to the violence. What did you see inside Sergio’s house?”

  As with almost everything he said, his words weighed heavily on my mind.

  “There were two men inside when I got there, although I didn’t know it at first. I was in a state of shock. At first, I thought I was merely hearing the television, but the voices changed, the inflections different. So I shifted closer to the door leading into the living room. However, I did not get a good look at them. They were several yards away. I didn’t lie to you that I was terrified. Self-preservation kicked in.”

  He didn’t move or blink for a few seconds. “I believe you. Did you overhear anything they had to say?”

  “No. But I don’t think they were happy. You could tell by the sharpness of their tones.”

  “Did they see you?”

  I took a swallow of my drink. “Maybe. Or maybe they heard something. I think they tried to follow me.”

  Now his eyes narrowed, both his expression and eyes darkening. “Did you see their faces, Bristol?” At that moment, his phone interrupted us. With a sour expression on his face, he pulled the phone from his pocket, not bothering to look away before he answered the call. “Yes?”

  I studied him, watching as his eyes once again reflected darkness. He was such a complicated man and strangely enough, I wanted to trust him. What did that say about me?

  “Fine. What you were instructed before stands, Jack. Make certain I have the house to myself.”

  He wasn’t happy, his grip on the phone white knuckled. He’d been honest about his concern for me. Should that say something? Should that make me feel any better about the fact he’d kidnapped me?

  “Bristol. Do not make me ask you again. One of my worst traits is my lack of patience.” He’d clenched his jaw out of frustration.

  I raked my hand through my hair and placed the glass on the table, more overwrought than before. “They were wearing dark clothes and hoodies, but one pulled his away from his face. No, I did not get a good look. You can punish me all you want, but that won’t change facts.”

  As if weighing how horrible the punishment would be, he placed his drink on the table and stood. “Do you think it’s possible you remember enough a sketch artist could bring the limited vision to life?”

  I thought about his question and shrugged. “Maybe, but it was very dark, the light created little more than shadows.” Another partial lie.

  “Understood. It’s worth a try.”

  “Alright. What now? I’m telling you the truth. You can’t keep me as your prisoner forever.” I peered up at him, fearful he’d lock me away or worse, although his entire facial expression had softened. He’d yet to question me about what Sergio had said. I had a feeling he was waiting for the right time.

  “We’re not finished yet. Not by a long shot.”

  He truly believed I had more to do with Sergio’s murder than I was telling him. I’d pay for those sins and for my own.

  There was an awkward silence between us, yet the strong if not charismatic connection remained. I could try to deny it, but that wouldn’t change the facts.

  “You believe in facts and evidence, Bristol. As I said, admirable. You’re also very observant. That may come in useful, but I have something I need to do away from the house.”

  “Are you taking me with you?”

  “Tempting, but not efficient. We’re not done here. I need you to think long and hard about what Sergio mumbled. When I return, be prepared to tell me.”

  “Where will I be while you’re gone?”

  He moved closer, wrapping his fingers around my arm and pulling me against his chest. “You’re right in that trust is earned. You’ve yet to do that, proving that you have every intention of escaping if given the chance. That isn’t acceptable. You’re going to be locked down nice and tight until I return.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Mikhail

  Trust.

  Bristol had tossed out the word like there was a switch that could be turned on and off. The thought of me earning her trust was unattainable. Especially since she’d already made up her mind to hate me.

  Not that I could blame her.

  Other than explosive passion, I’d given her no reason to feel otherwise. At least I’d been truthful with her regarding various activities over the years while leaving out the particularly gruesome details. However, I’d added kidnapping to my repertoire. That was new and unsavory. Even so, my balls were tight as drums just thinking about shackling the lovely woman to my bed.

  I also hadn’t lied to her about my concerns for her safety. However, if she’d been seen by the two killers, they would have torn the city apart to find her already. At least her anonymity would keep her protected since keeping her on a lockdown wasn’t in my best interest.

  For more than one reason.

  I’d shared more about my life with her than anyone outside the family.

  In opening myself up to her, I’d all but provided her with the knife to drive into my jugular. I’d need to determine what to do with her on a long-term basis. I had difficulty parting with beautiful things, and that very much included her. She was by far the most beautiful creature I’d longed to possess.

  Sadly, she didn’t belong to me nor could she. No matter my family’s attempt to legitimize, there were some including her father, who would never allow the past to stay in the past.

  We’d attempted to cozy up to the mayor’s office earlier in the decade, successful enough we’d shared a press conference with the last mayor regarding the newly approved sports stadium. The announcement had been met with cheers and cash flowing into the city.

  Since Sebastian Rork had taken over little more than a year before, the friendship had gone dormant. There’d been talk as always about our ruthless handling of business, nothing I’d taken too seriously. And nothing that wasn’t true. Since he’d left us in our lane, I’d paid him little attention, but I should know better than to underestimate any politician who needed to pacify his constituents with a bold agenda.

  Although I wasn’t ready to condemn the man just yet.

  I’d contacted Kazimir, requesting he meet me at Sergio’s house. He was the expert in computers in our family, his love of computer and internet games as a kid following him into college. Sadly, he wasn’t a hacker, which I had a feeling we’d need.

  Bristol had continued fighting me, doing nothing more than enticing me with her struggling.

  As I pulled into Sergio’s driveway, I found it impossible to keep my mind off her. Her presence was far too disruptive. I’d soon find it impossible to think clearly if she remained.