Chapter 15 #2
But I've never allowed myself to dream beyond the immediate goal. I've never allowed myself to think beyond survival. And now that I can…
"That's the truest sign of loyalty," he says quietly. "You told me your family wasn't loyal."
"Until me, it hasn't been." I think about Carlos's sister, about the little girl with braids skipping rocks in the creek by my home, looking for a bit of freedom.
I think about my cousin Rosella, taken from her home.
Javier wouldn't rescue her, even though he had the means to do so, because he hated her brother.
Allowing her to die was his greatest act of vengeance.
I think about my mother. I don't even know if she loved me, but I know now that her lack of love was a protection mechanism.
I’ve had it with women being seen as less than.
The Romanov family is far from perfect, but the Romanovs are the only ones even close to our circles who value women.
Yes, they are no charity, but here, in the Romanov family, they rule with their talents and intelligence.
Aria is the best hacker in the world. Aleks’s wife, Harper, can out-shoot anyone.
I don’t know Lydia’s sister Vera, but Lydia is a force to be reckoned with.
Here, the Romanov family is the only one that can help me realize my dreams.
I'm not alone anymore. That is both a blessing and a curse.
"Let me ask you a question," Lev says, reaching for my hand. His hand is so much stronger than mine. "My family is yours now. Are you still willing to die for your family?"
"I will die defending what matters most to me. I took my vows to you, not out of love but duty. And duty trumps everything."
"That's a good answer, Isabella. It is an honest one, and that is all I ask for. I will do my best to give you everything. That is my duty to you. My obligation."
Lev is stoic and reserved. But beneath that surface, he has so much more to offer. Others might see the youngest in the family as somehow less than, but I know better. He hasn't been handed anything. He has had to fight for all of it—honor, courage, respect.
We pull up to his family home, and just like my time with him, it feels as if another year has passed. Weren't we just married?
"Today, you will meet Kolya."
"Your mentor. What is his story?"
"My father saved his life in the war, and out of duty and obligation, he came home with us. You could say he helped raise us, though he's more like an older brother than a father figure. He taught us discipline and how to fight."
"He's strong, then."
Lev laughs. "You could say that."
For some reason, I feel a little uncertain. I never feel this way, but I suppose I thought I knew my place in the Romanov family. Every time I meet another of them, I question it all over again.
"What does he think about me?" I try to keep my tone nonchalant, but I fail. My voice wobbles a little.
"What does it matter?"
I don't care what people think about me. So why did I ask that question? “I want to know where I stand."
“You’re my wife, and that’s all that matters.”
Lev's warm hand covers mine again. We park outside the home, and no one is outside.
It's a beautiful, uncharacteristically warm fall day.
The leaves are burnt orange and crunchy, a dark, vivid reminder of the change of seasons.
Lev and I are on the brink of something monumental, and we both know it.
"I want to know what to expect. Is he antagonistic? Angry?"
"None of those things," he says. "He is as steady as a rock. Nothing fazes him. His mastery of stoicism made me who I am today. But it's much more important that you know the truth, Isabella."
I look over at him. I didn't realize how emotional all of this made me until now.
"What's that?" I ask. The adrenaline of my duty fueled me to get to where I am now, but now that I am actually about to betray my family, I am gripped with fear.
"You're my wife. I took vows to you. I have never been more serious about anything in my life. I love my brothers and Kolya and my family with all my heart. But you are the one I took vows with. No one will hurt you. No one will disrespect you. Is that clear?"
My voice is little more than a whisper when I respond, "Crystal clear, mi querido jefe. Let's go inside.” I blow out a breath. “I have a few things to tell you guys."
The dimly lit room buzzes with tension as Lev and I walk in, hand in hand.
Lev's brothers sit around the large oak table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Kolya leans against the wall, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, his silver-lined hair giving him a look of maturity, though his eyes make him look younger.
I take a deep breath, meeting each pair of eyes steadily.
“Isabella, meet Kolya,” Lev introduces. “Kolya, my wife, Isabella.”
He nods silently.
“Thank you for meeting with us,” I begin, my voice steady. “I have crucial information for you that can help us take down Javier’s human trafficking ring and secure his drug operation for us.”
Aleks arches an eyebrow. “And why should we trust anything you say?”
Lev's grip on my hand tightens, a silent warning. I nod, acknowledging the skepticism. “I understand your doubts, but please withhold judgement until you hear what I have to say first. Like all cartels, Javier’s operation relies on specific routes and schedules. For instance, the next shipment is due next week through the northern port. His safe houses are located here, here, and here,” I say, pointing to spots on the map spread across the table.
Nikko leans forward, his interest piqued despite his wariness. “How do you know this?”
“I’ve spent years collecting information on his network,” I reply. “I also have knowledge of his financials. He uses these banks to launder money, and these accountants are complicit.” I slide a list across the table. “With this information, we can hit him where it hurts.”
Kolya steps away from the wall, his expression hardening. “That’s a lot of detailed information. Almost too detailed. How do we know you’re not leading us into a trap?”
Lev’s jaw tightens. “Kolya, she’s with us now. Her interests align with ours.”
But he wasn’t done. “Or she’s playing the long game, Lev, and setting us up to fall right into Javier’s hands... or hers.”
Mikhail nods. “He’s right, Lev. How can we trust her? She’s been on the other side for far too long.”
Lev explodes, slamming his fist on the table. “She’s risking everything to help us! She’s my wife and part of this family now. Show some respect.”