Chapter 48 Leo
“Iknow where they are!”
I shout the words in a rush as Dom and I run toward the guys. Their heads snap toward us with varying looks, most of which are not friendly.
Not that I can blame them; I would probably feel the same way if I were in their shoes.
We thought our plan was airtight, but my father is a slippery bastard. He fucked it all up, the way he does everything. I don’t blame them for thinking I had something to do with it. A couple of months ago, they would have been right.
I’m well aware of what I am and who I wanted to be, but I don’t want those same things anymore.
Power doesn’t mean the same thing to me as it used to.
My father’s approval is the last fucking thing I want.
Before Jade, I thought I needed his approval to make it, needed to follow in his footsteps to be powerful.
Now I know that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Jade built a fucking empire, and she did it without ruling through fear.
She’s no less badass for it, either; if anything, she’s better for it.
People follow her because what she does is worth dying for.
She’s worth dying for. She doesn’t falter or fall because those same people are there to support her. Her success has meaning.
The support these guys give her is so much more than just their feelings. They would die for her, and she would live for them. That kind of thing isn’t easy to find, and those kinds of bonds last a lifetime.
That kind of support crumbles nations and rules worlds.
Jade is exactly what the Bratva needs. I see that now. My father only ever wanted to lead for selfish reasons. He didn’t care about the family or building our legacy. He would just as easily let it all fall if it suited him.
I’ll never forgive him for what he did to my mother, what he’s done to our family.
But I can help fix it. Jade has put faith in me that I didn’t deserve.
She saw something in me I didn’t even know was there, and I owe her not only for that but for so much more.
Ensuring she takes her rightful place is a good start, but making sure her guys are safe and my father dies is something I crave to give her.
She might be Dom’s little sister, but family is family, and once upon a time, my mother told me that blood bonds, and I intend to be worthy of that bond.
Tonight hasn’t gone anything like we planned, from my father to his.
Everything is slowly falling apart. When Kratos’s message came through, we’d just reached the house and were looking for them.
Uncle Mikhail was supposed to be here in the next thirty minutes, but that didn’t matter now. He could wait; everything could.
By the time we reach them at the bottom of the hill, my lungs feel like they’re going to burst from my chest.
I fucking hate cardio.
“Where?” Rick’s harsh demand cuts through the sound of my panting as I lean forward, bracing myself on my knees.
“Platì…” I wheeze, trying and failing to get my breathing under control enough to speak.
“Fuck!” Spencer roars, and I nod, knowing this is bad.
Dom rights himself before I do. The fucker has always been better at running than me, and for once, I’m grateful. I don’t know if the guy’s patience will last long enough for me to get my shit under control before they snap.
“Why the fuck are we all just standing here? We know where she’s going, so let’s go,” Zander says, and I hear the desperation in his voice. They just got her back. No way will he survive losing her again.
But it’s not that easy.
“Platì is on the mainland. We either need a boat or a plane to get there, and I doubt Ivan is using a boat. Which means he will be pretty far ahead of us already.” Dom explains, his tone bleak as he speaks the words aloud. It’s not good, but at least we have somewhere to start.
A loud slam, followed by the shattering of glass, snaps my head up.
Rick’s hand is clean through the car's window as we all stand around. I don’t know whose it is, but I highly doubt he gives a shit.
I watch as he rips his hand back through the hole, further splitting his cuts, but he just huffs and shakes his hand out, as if it’s nothing more than a scratch.
Guy’s a fucking beast.
“Well, standing here isn’t doing anyone any good.
We need a plan,” Kratos says, always the voice of reason.
Despite that, I see the strain in his eyes and the tension in his jaw.
He might be better at hiding it, but he’s just as on edge as the rest of them.
The difference is that he knows it won’t help, so he pushes it aside for now.
“Let’s go,” he barks out, turning and racing back to the house, no doubt looking for Elio. The others take off after him without so much as looking back at us.
“Come on,” Dom tells me, nudging me as he starts after them, and I stand watching for a moment.
Fuck, I don’t know if I’ll survive running uphill!
I push myself forward. I don’t want to be left behind, and I have no doubt they will leave me if I don’t move my ass.
I promise to run every day if we make it through this alive!
I make a silent promise to God, praying for a miracle.