Chapter 38
Vanya
Roman’s face leeches of color, as if every drop of blood just drained straight out of him.
The young woman in the video continues. “I just wanted you to know, there’s no treasure.
You probably already guessed that. But still, you pressed on.
Why?” She tilts her head and pauses like she’s waiting for the answer.
Every eye stays glued to the screen, waiting.
Except for Paige, who has eyes only for that damned book. I shake my head, my focus shifting back to the laptop.
“I bet your people told you to stop. That this was a trap. That you were being manipulated.” Her smile widens. “But I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist. You’re greedy like that.”
A chill enters her voice. The sweet smile disappears, and her face hardens to stone.
“Your greed killed my mother.”
Shock seizes me when Roman whimpers like a wounded dog. Valeria’s hand flies over her mouth, muffling her soft gasp.
What the fuck is happening?
No one in the room seems to know, but we can’t tear our eyes away from the screen.
As quickly as before, the white-haired woman’s demeanor shifts.
She’s back to chirpy and cheerful in a way that’s somehow more disturbing than when the video started.
“But, hey, at least you’re in a war with your enemies now.
And you have a bunch of crime-connected diamonds sitting in your mansion.
Oh, and the Feds are watching you. Have fun with all that. ”
Then her smile snaps off like a light switch, her face turning blank and dead-eyed. “I want the locket. Get it ready. I’ll let you know when and where to bring it.”
The screen goes black.
No one speaks. My mind spins.
I’ve met a lot of fucked-up people in my thirty-two years. But I’ve never met someone who was so assuredly a psychopath.
I glance over at Kolya to see if he understands what we just watched.
He shakes his head.
The laptop’s fan whirs in the silence.
“Pakhan?” Emil’s voice is barely a whisper. “Should I…”
Roman gapes at the screen like he’s peering into hell itself.
Kolya spits out a curse. “What’s with these games? More waiting? Why not just say where to bring the key now?”
God, I love the man, but he’s so unimaginative. “Because she’s playing with us.” I shift my attention to Roman. “With you, Pakhan.”
Roman exhales a slow breath. “Lilia’s birthday is approaching.” He finally glances up, his eyes empty and near black. “That will be the date.”
Alexei grunts. “Who the hell is this woman? Why is she fucking with us like this?”
Roman turns toward the portrait behind his desk.
Forever young and beautiful, Lilia smiles down at him.
Roman reaches up and plucks the necklace from the frame. The key spins and dangles from his fingers.
That’s when I realize it’s not a key at all, but a locket, a small hinge catching in the light.
Is that what the woman on the video wants? This necklace?
Kirill steps forward. “Pakhan?”
When he speaks, Roman’s voice is as broken as Igor’s was. “That’s my daughter.”
“I thought maybe…” Alexei springs to his feet again, shaking his head. “But that’s impossible. She died on Chaos Island.”
“It’s her. My Anika.” Roman continues staring at the necklace. “You heard her call me ‘Daddy.’”
“That’s who framed Sasha?” The fury in Max’s voice suggests he’s found a target for the maelstrom of rage and guilt churning inside him. “Fuck. She’s the real traitor.”
Kirill pushes away from the wall. “Where are you going?”
Max’s stormy gaze targets Kirill first, then Roman. “To finish what should’ve been done fifteen years ago.”
“No.” Roman no longer sounds broken. He’s reverted to the cold, firm, and controlled Pakhan I know.
Max freezes. We all do.
Roman rounds his desk and approaches Max, whose shoulders stiffen. He raises the necklace. “This was supposed to be Anika’s. Take it.” He presses the golden locket-key into Max’s palm.
Max closes his fingers around the pendant. “Pakhan?”
Roman glances up with a deadened expression. “We will wait for Anika’s next message, and then you will go to her. This necklace will get you in the door.” He issues his next order with lethal finality. “Bring her back to me. Alive.”
Max shoves the necklace into his pocket. “Yes, sir.”
Roman returns to his desk, leaning his palms against the wood. He jerks his chin. “Go ahead. I don’t need it anymore.”
After a shocked hesitation, Paige darts forward and snatches the book. She retreats with the old story collection cradled to her chest. “Thank you.”
I snag her free wrist and quickly lead her out of the office, before our Pakhan changes his mind.
The situation here is no longer our problem. Besides, I still need to thank her for saving me tonight.
Even if—maybe especially if—her actions ended up destroying my whole world.
At least I’ll get to spend my time in the remains with the woman I love.