“Because it was necessary. We needed to know if Fallon was a willing participant.” My father’s voice held an air of arrogance.

  That only made me that much more furious.

  “Do you have any clue that her stepbrother thinks she belongs to him? That he killed his own father and stepmother, the woman who stole Marcos Bruni’s heart because of his obsession with her?”

  “It’s more than that,” Mikhail finally interjected. “Tell him everything.”

  “Yes, please do because I’m about ready to walk out of here.” When I started for the door, Mikhail moved in front of me, his eyes imploring. I backed away, locking eyes with all of them. “Tell the story.”

  “Don Giovanni Bruni had a daughter that was promised to a Bratva family in Russia many years ago. However, she was killed and Giovanni blamed the Russians. That’s when Marcos, his only other child, knew that he and the woman he’d fallen in love with against his father’s wishes weren’t safe any longer so he ran, changing his name in the process.”

  I eyed my father as he told the story. While news about Bruni’s daughter did surprise me, it meant nothing to what was happening. “And it took Don Bruni eighteen years to find his own son.”

  “No, about ten, but by then, the deal with the Russians was dead and buried and he witnessed just how happy his son had become.”

  “Then why have his own flesh and blood killed?”

  “He didn’t,” Ludolf interjected. “From all the intel we’ve found, we believe the Russians did, which was why Giovanni convinced Fallon’s mother that the only way she’d be safe was to return to Chicago. At that point, she had no one else to rely on. From what we know, she was given a hefty sum of money to wed Luis, who was Don Bruni’s most trusted man.”

  “Hold on here. You’re suggesting to me that she wanted to be married to a fucking monster?”

  “She wanted to protect her daughters, Vissarian, and in her mind, marrying him was the only way to make that happen.”

  I could tell all of them were serious. Given my family had long since learned never to believe anything at face value, I knew in my bones there was much more to the story. “Megan was away at college.”

  “Yes, being watched carefully,” Uncle Boris piped in. “She had security detail on her twenty-four/seven at Don Bruni’s insistence.”

  My thoughts immediately drifted to something she’d told me. Perhaps the only reason she’d given about wanting to start a new life. She’d asked if I’d ever had the feeling that everything I did was being watched. She’d refused to elaborate. “She ran away because of the security.”

  “Yes. Just like her father.”

  “Was she led to Vegas and to me? Was it all a lie?”

  My father shook his head. “No, son. Up to that point, we were aware the Brunis existed and of course that at some point in our lives we’d face the Russian monsters we fled in Moscow, but her coming to Vegas was…”

  “Karma,” I finished. “You also knew the Russian Bratva found out about Fallon.”

  “Yes, they began to put pressure on Bruni again because of his location and his connections. Giovanni wanted her protected at all costs, but his Capo and friend was killed.” Uncle Boris still had a story to tell. I could tell by the way he was watching me, curious as to my reaction.

  “By the man’s son.” I glanced at Mikhail, who I could tell was having a very difficult time not taking over the conversation. Because he didn’t know all the details. Why in the fuck keep their children in the dark?

  “There is a significant chance Don Bruni does not know. There is proof that Antonio has been working with the Russians for years. He even wore the ink to prove his loyalty.”

  I took a deep breath. “A skull with red eyes and a sword.”

  “Yes. You are correct. Don Bruni is an arrogant man and believes no one could betray him. Antonio was likely offered significant power to turn on his mentor. However, it would seem the Bratva is very good at making promises that often they do not keep.” Ludolf seemed so certain of himself.

  I took a sip of my drink. Right now, no amount of alcohol would make me feel any better. I was angry and bitter. “If Giovanni doesn’t know then he’s a goddamn fool. From what Fallon told me, Antonio had made overtures to her for years.”

  “As a kid with no power,” my father said. “That’s why Luis didn’t believe him dangerous. Nor did Don Bruni.”

  “Okay. That makes sense,” I offered, still trying to curtail the anger. “They couldn’t get their hands on her while she was in the Air Force.”

  “No. They did not want to create an international incident.”

  “You hired Jeffrey Collins to seduce her. Didn’t you?” I looked from Ludolf to Emilio and then to Pierre.

  Pierre shifted and answered. “We hired him to try and protect her. We trusted him because of his employment with your family. His background being from the military made it perfect. We needed to ascertain how best to handle the situation.”

  “Wait a minute. So my buddy Jeffrey was one of your plants?”

  Emilio was the one who nodded. Who the fuck were these people?

  “What fucking situation? Are you telling me that you’ve already had an alliance together?” I simply needed to look from my father’s wary expression to my uncle’s. “You have. You didn’t know this, Mikhail?”

  “When he was pushed into the position of Pakhan, he made it clear our family was moving in another direction. We discussed and thought it best for the family. We were hoping that the Russian Bratva would stop their need for revenge.” My father answered for him.

  I rubbed my eyes. There was too much information and I had a brand-new headache lashing my brain.

  “What about Don Bruni? What now?”

  “He’s getting pressure to accept the deal offered by the Russians,” Mikhail said. “They have enough powerful connections that they will make good on their threat to try and come into Las Vegas. Bruni also has ties to Sicily. If the alliance is made, they will have a foothold in Europe as well.”

  “Hence a renewed and strong alliance with the Hoffman Group.” I threw it out and almost laughed. Our fathers had been keeping secrets for years, since the day they’d left Russia.

  “Yes, son. We knew when Bruni was approached again that all our precautions wouldn’t be enough.”

  I thought about what had occurred over the last few years and laughed. Pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place. “The reason for our alliance with the Costa family. They also have ties to Sicily.”

  My father appeared amused as if thrilled I’d followed those breadcrumbs and was about ready to solve the riddle.

  Uncle Boris nodded. “It was as much of a statement as it was a protection. We believed it would work until we realized the Russians were about to invade our territory with the reluctant help of Giovanni Bruni.”

  “Do they know?” I demanded.

  Mikhail shook his head. “Their father does.”

  “An old boys’ school exists in the world of the mafia,” I threw out, disgusted with the whole damn thing. “At least we can commiserate about our fathers lying to us.”

  “Enough,” Mikhail hissed. “You will have respect, Viss.”

  Exhaling, I nodded. “Who attacked us, Bruni or the Russians? Antonio couldn’t have done so on his own.”

  “No, he likely had help from the Russians. There are some men loyal to him that he used while pretending to remain loyal to Bruni. He was likely paid handsomely to bring in Fallon. There’s no telling if he would have done so immediately. Once he did, there would be no need to broker any further deal.” Ludolf’s words were chilling.

  “Don Bruni would be exterminated.” My entire body bristled from the thought of Antonio touching her in any way. Then there was the goddamn promise I’d made.

  “Yes,” Mikhail answered.

  Antonio’s problem was that he was infatuated with Fallon. But the lure of power and money was strong.

  “So what now?”

  “Don Bruni needs to be told his empire had been compromised and there’s only person one who can do so that he’ll believe.” My father stared me directly in the eyes.

  I took a deep breath. “If you think I’m going to put Fallon in harm’s way, you are dead wrong. I will not be a part of this.” I slammed my drink onto the bar, immediately heading to the door. I’d fucking heard enough.

  “They will find a way to take her, son. She is valuable to them.”

  “Did you ever stop to think about how much she might mean to me?” My voice boomed in the room. I was surprised my mother hadn’t come running. I glared into my father’s eyes. “Just like I cared about Megan. If I’d known who she was, then she might be alive today. You did that. Both of you.”

  Mikhail’s shoulders lifted. I threw my hand out. My disrespect was grounds for demotion. What the fuck did I care at this point? I didn’t.

  “I can tell you do, Vissarian. I’m sorry. I think I can speak for Boris when I tell you that. We believed the past could be left in the shadows, but we were wrong. Our alliance with the Hoffman Group and our connections with the Costa family while also coordinating some level of peace with Don Bruni will likely keep our futures secure. And the way of life you so adore will be kept the same.”

  My father had never been this honest before. I also realized that he felt beaten down, as if the past had indeed come up from their dark shadows, violence and bloodshed ready to pick at the still festering wounds.

  I also knew what he was telling me was the truth. Don Bruni would only listen to family. “It’s her choice. I won’t make her do this. She just found out who she is and was almost killed because of it. Her choice. No more secrets or so help me God, I will walk away from this family.”

  Mikhail’s face highlighted the stress I sensed he felt. He’d wanted to change the old ways, creating a powerful corporation by the use of contracts and negotiations. He’d done that in spades. But instead of simply enjoying our growing family, our wealth and success, we were still hounded by a past that Mikhail and I barely remembered.

  And monsters who lurked in the darkness.

  Now I knew why my father had always told me to be careful with acts of revenge because they invariably hurt those who didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle.

  Fallon was that person.

  As I turned for the third time to walk out, I realized just how much I did care about Fallon. Yet I knew in my heart it had almost nothing to do with Megan, a strange sense of karma or simply my innate need to protect her.

  Although if there was such a thing as karma then bringing her into my life had been a godsend.

  For my heart.

  For my sanity.

  For my future.

  “There is one last thing you need to learn. Both of you,” Uncle Boris said, meaning Mikhail as well.

  “As Vissarian just stated, there will be no more secrets in this family or this corporation. Is that understood?”

  “No more secrets,” Uncle Boris stated as if doing so for the entire group. “You need to know the identity of the Russians who will continue to try and destroy us.”

  Mikhail’s brow furrowed and we shared a look between us.

  “Who?” I asked.

  “He is by far the most powerful Pakhan in Moscow, both protected and fueled by three sons who in turn are equally as ruthless and dangerous.”

  My father’s voice was filled with more anger than before.

  “Who?” Mikhail demanded.

  “His name is Yuri Dmitriyev,” Uncle Boris said. “He is our brother.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Fallon

  “I want nothing to do with my grandfather,” I said, hating the quavering in my voice.

  “Trust me. You won’t need to deal with him,” Vissarian stated.

  His voice was gruff and full of anger. He’d been entirely different since returning from the meeting. I’d barely gotten the cliff notes, but they were enough to know his world had been rocked as much as mine.

  “Then why do I need to go to Chicago to see him?”

  He closed his eyes briefly. “Because he won’t listen to anyone else but you. You are all the family he has left.”

  “You want me to do this?”

  The way he fisted his hand told me he wanted nothing of the sort, but he was being pressured. While still processing, I understood there was a great deal at stake. Not just money. Not just connections or clout.

  But also, the desire to live life the way all people should be allowed. With freedom from fear and constant anxiety.

  It wasn’t every day that you found out almost everything you believed in was a fabrication. Now he had another family out there that wanted him and his brother, his cousins and everyone he loved destroyed. I couldn’t imagine.

  “I want you to live your life the way you want, Fallon. You deserve nothing less.”

  The larger-than-life man was so troubled. Watching him sit on the couch with a drink in one hand, stroking Bella with the other, I realized all over again why I cared so much about him.

  And why I’d found it easy to fall in love with him.

  “That’s what I want for you as well. I’m sorry to hear about your uncle.”

  He took a swig of his drink. “Yuri isn’t my uncle. From everything I learned, the man is a true monster. I always knew there was another reason my father and Uncle Boris had left Moscow. Now I know. They say knowledge is freedom.” He lifted his gaze and for those few seconds of connection, I could tell he was feeling the same thing I was.

  Fear of letting go. Fear of forging a new future. But I refused to allow fear to trap me into a prison. “I don’t know my grandfather, but if he’s anything like you say he is, he’ll need proof of Antonio’s treachery. We don’t have any.”

  “Yeah, I know.” A sudden spark in his eyes was easy to see. “But I have an idea.” He placed his drink on the coffee table, pulling his phone from his pocket.

  “Who are you calling?”

  “My good buddy Carlos. Let’s see if he’s true to his old self.”

  A slow smile popped across my face. Being with the man was so natural. Maybe I’d need a little more convincing to stand in front of my grandfather, the man who’d caused so much harm. Yet the fact he had cared about his son, even trying to protect the new family he’d fought to keep should mean something. Right?

  “Carlos,” Vissarian said into the phone, his eyes never leaving me. “Yeah, we’re back safe and sound. I have a question for you. Do you still keep trophies?”

  Trophies. Ugh. If anything I’d seen in The Sopranos was accurate, I didn’t want to know.

  “Good. Go ahead and send those to me. Will you? They will come in handy.”

  I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off him, especially since he’d taken off his jacket and tie, rolling up his sleeves and allowing me to enjoy studying his tattoos. That I still wanted to trace with my tongue. I bit back a moan from the thought.

  “I will let her know. Make plans to come see us in the near future.” Vissarian was finally smiling. “Thank you for everything. Now, I owe you.”

  As soon as he ended the call, he tossed his phone on the table beside his weapon and his drink.

  “Dare I ask?”

  He chuckled. “Pictures. Carlos always took pictures of his conquests. And no, do not ask what they entail.”

  “Oh, I won’t.” I thought about everything that had occurred and made a decision.

  While the world around me was still spinning, I knew one thing for certain. I refused to live my life in fear. My sister had risked everything to make a life that she’d obviously loved with a man she’d adored.

  I planned on doing the same. “I’ll do it.”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m certain. When do we leave?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Moving closer, I placed my wine on the table and all I had to do was to give Bella a look and she scrambled off his lap, allowing me to take her place.

  “That means we have tonight all to ourselves.”

  “Yes, we do. What do you have in mind?”

  Easing back onto his knees, I unfastened his belt and trousers, taking my time to unzip his fly while I gazed into his soulful eyes. “Having my way with you.” When his cock was free, I shifted my thong aside, pressing the tip of his cockhead against my wetness.

  “Oh, you are such a bad girl.”

  “Something for you to keep in mind.” As I sat down on his stiff shaft, I threw my head back.

  Love was a powerful emotion, much more so than fear or violence.

  Especially when being able to share that love with someone special.

  I stood in the living room of what had been my mother and stepfather’s house, staring at the pictures that I’d found of my father in a box. She had hidden them in her closet, keeping them easy to see when she was feeling melancholy. Whether or not Luis had forbidden her from indulging in her memories no longer mattered.

  I’d found them before I’d left after their funeral, refusing to ignore her love for my father.

  Now they were an anchor, allowing me to enjoy the memories, tethering me without being a chain.

  I had a future forged from two people who’d defied the odds. The house was the only location I’d agreed to for the meeting with Giovanni Bruni, a man I’d never met and after today never wanted to see again.

  Just being able to look down at Bella was a good reminder of all the things I had to live for. And no man, certainly not my own flesh and blood was going to take that away from me as he’d done with Megan.

  While on the plane, which I hadn’t been allowed to fly, I’d talked with the attorney in charge of my mother’s estate. My biological father had left a trust fund for both Megan and me. With her death, the money had been transferred into one account.

  I was wealthy beyond my means, but money meant nothing to me at this point. Not a damn thing.

  The moment I felt Vissarian’s hand on my shoulder, I released a single sob, but that was all I’d allowed.

  “You don’t need to go through with this if you don’t want to.”