Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Henry
When I walked into Blake’s hospital room later that morning, he looked much more alert than yesterday. Color had returned to his complexion, replacing the gray pallor. There was a spark in his eyes as he curved toward the nurse by his bed, flashing an easy grin and winking.
A pinkish hue immediately fell over the nurse’s face as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
One thing was certain. Blake knew how to charm people.
Yesterday, I may have overanalyzed it. Wondered how much of it was real and how much was an act.
I refused to go down that path again.
Ariana was right.
If it weren’t for Blake, we might never have uncovered the truth about what Victor was involved in.
From the moment I suspected a connection between Sarah’s supposed suicide and Victor Kane, Blake had been relentless.
Focused. Loyal. His actions weren’t those of a man who was playing both sides or who had ulterior motives.
Hearing the word “chosen” simply reminded him of Chandler Meadows. Nothing more.
And the brand on his chest was irrelevant.
In our line of work, everyone had secrets. I’d never told him the story behind the welts on my back. I couldn’t expect him to share what that brand meant or how he got it.
“How are you feeling today?” I asked once the nurse left, the door clicking softly behind her.
He adjusted himself on the bed, wincing slightly.
“Ribs still hurt like a bitch, but the doc says my last batch of scans came back clear. They want me to stay a few more days to be on the safe side, but after that I get to leave. They don’t want me traveling just yet, though, so I’ll have to stick around here for a bit. ”
“You can come stay in the pool house.”
“I figured you’d want to get back to Georgia as soon as possible. I know how much you hate Miami.”
“That I do,” I chuckled under my breath, glancing out the window.
The city skyline shimmered in the late-morning sun — glass towers, palm trees, and the illusion of paradise.
It was suffocating.
“But I have some business here in town I’d like to see to before heading back.”
“And what would that be?” he asked, his interest piqued.
He knew me well enough to recognize my tone. That the business I referred to wasn’t about quarterly earnings or potential investors.
“I’m thinking of paying Mikhail Volkov a visit.”
This certainly earned a reaction, Blake’s eyes widening, his jaw dropping.
“The Pakhan of the Miami Bratva?”
“Last I checked, he still holds the title,” I replied evenly.
“And what exactly do you intend to talk to him about?”
“What do you think?”
I leaned back in the uncomfortable hospital chair, as if I were discussing an appointment with a potential client instead of my plan to walk into the proverbial lion’s den and hope to make it out alive.
“Sarah,” he exhaled.
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? This is the Bratva you’re talking about.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then you’re aware of their…reputation.”
“Of course.”
“Henry…” His tone shifted. Less sarcastic. More serious. Or perhaps concerned.
He leaned forward carefully, wincing as his injuries protested against the movement.
“I understand your reasons. But you killed…what? Three of his men?”
“Four,” I corrected.
The fluorescent lights hummed overhead as the sterile scent of antiseptic clung to the back of my throat. Monitors beeped in a steady rhythm, making Blake’s momentary silence seem even louder.
“And you expect to walk up to the Pakhan and have him be okay with that?” he asked incredulously.
“I’m more than aware of the risks. Right now, the Bratva is the only link I have to where Sarah could be.
We know the same man who attempted to take Ariana was seen in the background of one of Sarah’s videos around the time of her disappearance.
We also know Victor had some sort of arrangement with the Bratva, that he met with Nikolai Volkov, the Obshchak, mere hours before Ariana was abducted by one of their soldiers.
It’s entirely possible someone in their organization will know where Sarah is. ”
“If she’s even still alive,” Blake shot back. “You're basing all of this on something Victor told Ariana. Not exactly the most trustworthy source.”
“I’m aware. But I can’t sit around and do nothing. If there’s even a minuscule chance she could still be alive, I need to do everything I can to find her. To bring her back home. And right now, the only lead I have is the Bratva.”
He let out a long breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Why do I get the feeling there’s nothing I can say to make you reconsider?”
“Because there isn’t. I need to follow this. If I don’t…” I shook my head, the tightness in my throat returning. “I’ll never forgive myself.”
“What about Ariana?” Blake pressed after a protracted pause.
I darted my eyes toward him. “What about her?”
“What does she think of this brilliant plan?”
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t have to.
My silence spoke volumes.
“You haven’t told her,” he remarked flatly.
“And I’m not going to. No need to worry her unnecessarily.”
“You’re contemplating the equivalent of a suicide mission. Don’t you think she deserves to know what you’re thinking? That way she can start planning your funeral.”
I rolled my eyes. “Stop being so dramatic.”
“Not being dramatic. Just reminding you what’s at stake.”
“I’m well aware of what’s at stake. And it’s not just my life. It’s also Sarah’s.”
“If you hold off a little while, I could come with you so—”
“Absolutely not,” I interjected quickly, my sharp tone reverberating through the room. “You could have died because of me,” I continued, my voice lower. “Hell, I thought you did die.”
“It wasn’t because of you. It was because of Victor Kane.”
“You voiced your concerns. I refused to listen. I won’t put you in that position again.”
“But you’ll put yourself in that position?” he challenged.
“I’ll take precautions.”
He was silent for a beat before asking, “What’s this really about?”
I furrowed my brow. “I told you. The Bratva is the best and only lead we have right now. One I should have pursued weeks ago. Now I am. And maybe it will lead me to Sarah.”
“Is this really about Sarah?” He narrowed his gaze on me. “Or is it about you?”
I blinked repeatedly, his question rendering me mute. It was exactly the kind of question Gideon would ask. I didn’t expect to get it from Blake.
Then again, he’s become as close a friend as Gideon over the years. One of the few people I could depend on.
Which makes my suspicions of him yesterday even more ridiculous.
“What are you talking about? This has been about Sarah from the beginning.”
“I get why you want to blame yourself,” he sighed, leaning his head against his pillow, his eyes growing droopy, most likely from the painkillers.
“Believe me. I fucking get it. I’ve spent years chasing a ghost myself.
All because of a fucked up combination of regret, guilt, and grief.
Take it from me.” He shook his head. “It’s no way to live.
Chasing ghosts. Spending every waking moment obsessed with uncovering the truth to the detriment of everything else.
It’s the loneliest kind of existence there is. ”
There were so many questions on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t want to interrupt. So I just let him keep talking.
“But you…” he continued, his words becoming slurred.
“You have the potential for an amazing future. And it’s not at the end of a gun held by the Pakhan of the fucking Bratva.
” A faint smile ghosted across his lips.
“It’s currently waiting at your house for you to come home.
If you’d just pull your head out of your ass long enough to finally realize it. ”
I shifted my gaze from him, staring into space. “I’m not sure I can think about a future with Ariana or anyone until I find Sarah. Until I know for certain.”
“And what if you never do?”
I parted my lips, searching for a response. But I didn’t have one.
So I remained silent instead.