Chapter 27 – Ivan #2
Marcus didn’t answer directly, but I could see from Vince’s expression that he caught my meaning. This man wasn’t Paraskia. He was something else entirely.
My mind bounced from strategic assessment back to concern for Shorty. Where was she right now? Was she okay?
I pulled my thoughts back again. This was not the time to split my attention like this. How did she hijack my brain so that I couldn’t even go fifteen minutes without thinking of her? Not even in a situation like this?
It hadn’t even been a week of knowing her, and it had been a single night, but I’d kill for her. I’d die for her.
What the fuck was wrong with my brain?
Well, one thing was wrong for sure. I was stuck here, posturing with these assholes, when I actually wanted to be by her side, take her in my arms, and ask her what was going on.
I got up just as Moretti was about to speak and cut in with unexpected sharpness: “Why don’t we focus on getting ready for the storm and discuss the matters at hand in the morning?”
The room fell silent at my tone. Grey studied me with newfound interest, his eyes narrowing slightly. Even he recognized the signals of me being at the end of my rope now.
Moretti smiled. “You seem particularly concerned about this storm, Mr. Zotov? Or is it something else that makes you so anxious?” His face transformed into something that looked more like a snake than a human being.
“A certain curvy young woman, maybe?” He raised his eyebrows and gestured as if he was following Shorty’s curves.
“With a brain too smart for her own good?”
That was enough. My control snapped like a steel cable under too much strain. In one fluid motion, I was across the table, my hand around Moretti’s throat, pinning him against the wall. The move was so fast that even Anton couldn’t intercept.
Clean. Efficient. Deadly, if I chose. And incredibly stupid.
“Zotov!” Grey barked. “What the hell?”
I ignored him, tightening my grip slightly. “Whatever you’re insinuating, whatever game you’re playing, ends now.” My voice was barely above a whisper, and I got right into his face. I could feel his pulse hammering against my palm.
Moretti didn’t struggle; his eyes were calculating despite his compromised position. “Fascinating. Grey told me you were his best operative. The perfect soldier. No feelings, no emotions. Yet here you are, losing control over a woman.”
I leaned closer, my lips near his ear. “I’ve killed men for less than looking at someone wrong.”
Vince was on his feet; he rounded the table and stood right next to us, but he made no move to stop me.
Cristo shifted closer, watching with interest rather than alarm.
Anton placed a firm hand on my shoulder.
“Brother,” he said quietly in Russian. “Not here. Not now. There will be time for blood later.”
I released Moretti, stepping back with the fluid grace of a predator feigning retreat.
He straightened his collar, tried to appear unfazed, but I could smell the fear on him now. Good. He should be afraid.
I could also see how Grey looked at me as if he’d never seen me before. Good. I was done with his bullshit. And I wouldn’t even start taking Moretti’s bullshit.
“Quite the display of emotion,” he remarked, voice slightly hoarse. “I wonder if Isabella knows the effect she has on you.”
Vince tensed next to me, and my vision threatened to go red again. But Roman’s voice cut through the bloodlust.
“Ivan,” he said urgently, “you should see this.”
There was the sound of helicopter blades and not just one.
“Holy shit, here come the big guns,” Anton murmured.
I forced my breathing to steady though adrenaline still pumped through my veins, demanding action, violence, and release, and I moved to the window as did Moretti and Grey. Multiple helicopters flew over the compound, and security alerts sounded throughout the building.
Roman’s eyes widened, and we looked at each other. The helicopters weren’t standard transport but the sleek, armored models.
“The Paraskia Council,” I confirmed. In fifteen years, I’d encountered the council exactly once, in a carefully orchestrated meeting. Never like this. Never without extensive planning or at least a heads-up.
What the fuck was going on?
Grey’s composure slipped completely. “Did you know they were coming?”
“No.” I was aware of someone coming, but not this. This was unprecedented.
Moretti’s eyes narrowed. “Is this a trap?”
Grey didn’t respond, but the look they exchanged spoke volumes. Whatever they’d been planning, whatever they’d been doing, the council’s arrival had not been on their radar.
Did that mean Grey and the syndicate weren’t on the same side?
“Anton, secure the perimeter,” I ordered, my voice returning to its usual cold precision. “Roman, alert the team. I’ll help Grey escort our guests to welcome the new arrivals.”
Grey stepped forward. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll handle the council myself; you go with Anton.” Even Grey, with his years of experience, couldn’t hide the panic in his eyes. It was unmistakable. He wanted me gone. And he was nervous.
As he should be.
I stood my ground, letting him feel the full weight of my presence. Men like Grey responded to power, and right now, despite his rank, I was the most dangerous thing in the room.
“This is hardly the time or situation,” I said, my voice deceptively gentle again.
The challenge hung in the air between us. For a moment, I thought he might refuse outright. I almost hoped he would. But he decided to save face.
“Fine,” Grey conceded reluctantly. “Let’s all go.”
As we moved toward the reception area, I noticed Marcus and Grey hanging back, engaged in heated whispers. Whatever partnership they had was showing cracks.
Vince was suddenly next to me, and my focus shifted. “You completely overreacted, and he didn’t even mention Bella,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I warned you once; this is strike two. If you so much as touch my sister, you’re dead.”
I side-eyed him. “This is between your sister and me.”
“Is it?” he asked, his voice deceptively soft.
I sighed. Was it? How would I deal with the situation if the roles were reversed?
How would I deal with anyone approaching Mila or Nina like I had?
My eyes fell on Matt. Because there was something going on between Matt and my sister for sure, and once I found out what was going on, I sure as shit wouldn’t just stand by.
“Let’s come back to this conversation at another time. ”
Vince narrowed his eyes. “Let’s not.”
For fifteen years, I’d been the perfect robot. The ideal killer. The flawless weapon. Then Isabella Salvini looked at me with terror in her eyes, and suddenly, my whole life’s mission meant nothing compared to her safety. “That’s not your decision to make,” I replied.
Vince grabbed my arm and stopped me, ready to end this discussion once and for all.
“Grey’s gone,” Roman suddenly said, which stopped us both in our tracks.
Before all hell broke loose.