I don’t know what he means. What else will they be good for?

I don’t know.

When the cold starts to seep into my bones, I watch the flames dance in the fire and think of Papa’s words. Love makes a man weak.

It all starts making sense.

His rage and his anger towards the memory of my mother.

He fell in love and ultimately lost everything because she made him vulnerable and weak, a fact his enemies later exploited. Love led him to his ruin.

But just like I always believed, it didn’t take long for Papa to climb to the top.

A few months later we had everything we had back in Russia.

Power, money, and men who feared our name.

The Solonik name.

And we never, not once talked about love again.

Because Papa was right and… wrong.

Love made a man vulnerable, yes, but it also gave him the strength to fight the goddamn world for the woman he loves.

And that’s what I did.

Now

“Fuck.” I hiss in pain when I turn in bed and every single part of my body aches. Shit, even my fucking eyelashes hurt.

“It’s not like you to get caught.” A monotone voice drew above me.

I slowly open my eyes to find no other than Dr. Croix hovering over me looking as if he would rather be anywhere else but here.

The man has always been an asshole like that.

“Where am I?” I croak while lifting myself with my elbows higher in the strange bed until my back hits the bedpost. Looking around me, I notice the cold and dark vibe of the room I’m in. The walls are painted matte black. There is art hanging off the walls. Macabre art. The paintings to the naked eye might come off as grotesque but if you look closer you might see all the beauty in all that darkness.

The room reminds me so much of the house where I grew up in Russia before Papa lost it all. This room feels like… home and that’s when the events of the night come back to me all at once. Kadra in that alley with the small child. Getting on my bike and following them knowing things had changed. Then the fuckers trailing behind opening fire and then the image of the ruthless angel shooting back but not at me, no. At them.

While I’m too busy taking in my surroundings and deep in my head, Croix messes with the tube hooked to my arm. “You’re in Parisi’s safe house. She asked me to treat you.” I see his lips moving but I can’t hear what he’s saying.

The doctor’s words come to mind.

It’s not like you to be caught.

He’s right.

I’m not easy to take down. Hell, no one has succeeded until her.

I don’t mind getting caught by her.

“Where is she?” I try to move but the pain in my left side makes it impossible for me to get out of bed. Fuck.

“You won’t be leaving this bed for at least a day or two. Try to rest, Solonik. Under this roof and with that woman… you’ll need all the energy you can get.” The doctor injects something into my IV that has me feeling groggy and my eyes feel heavy. A few seconds later everything turns black and I’m surrounded by only darkness.

Darkness and whiskey eyes.