Page 91 of Capuleto

And that was a third option I hadn’t considered until now. My independence, doing my own thing, forgetting about what everyone else wanted.

It was a tricky path because my brother would have Putin on his side, and the president would never fully trust me if I was alone. He would demand that I marry a man of his choosing, which would put me back at square one.

There was a knock at the door, and I opened it cautiously. There stood my brother, dressed in the same hoodie, cap, and sunglasses as last time.

He took me by the shoulders and kissed me gently.

“What’s going on, Kalinka? Why the rush?”

“Was it you?” I accused him. I didn’t want to beat around the bush.

“What are you referring to?”

“Last night.” I didn’t want to give more details to see if I could catch him.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

“Then how do you know what I’m talking about?” He forced a smile.

“Don’t underestimate me, little sister. I’m informed about everything that happens, even your visit to Huang’s restaurant.” My brother had eyes and ears everywhere.

“They say you can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust the sails to reach your destination. Are you adjusting the sails behind my back?”

“Please, Kalinka! Do you really doubt me? I told you I’d keep you informed.” I wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth. Too much time had passed, and Yuri had always been very skilled at lying.

“Do you know where Cheng is? Why do her men have no idea of her whereabouts? Maybe it was her.”

“I already told you the problem she has. Her men fear reprisals from Jing, and Huang wants her position.”

“And are you going to face Jing by hiding his daughter?” I hadn’t missed that he didn’t confirm whether he knew her location.

“On the contrary, it seems like you don’t know me, Kalinka. My intention remains the same, a confrontation to oust the Calabrian mafia and weaken the Chinese forces. Putin has alliances with them, so I have to be careful. The best way is to reach an agreement, and returning Cheng to her father is a strong bargaining chip.”

“So, you have her,” I asserted.

“I may know where she is. She shouldn’t be your concern; you know your role, the loving wife.”

“Gossip says you’re playing your part very well, that you’ve got Capulet going crazy.” I didn’t feel like talking about Romeo with him.

“If it wasn’t you, who was responsible for what happened yesterday?” I insisted.

“Your husband and father-in-law have been making plenty of enemies. Maybe the attack was by the guy whose balls Romeo blew off. Or perhaps it was Fatso for messing up his business? Or the port director you blackmailed? There are plenty of candidates.”

“No one is crazy enough to go up against the ‘Ndrangheta for such petty reasons.”

“Well, then, maybe it was that redheaded whore who’s screwing your husband. Jealous mistresses are capable of anything.”

“I don’t see the brainless Irene capable of something like that.”

“The enemy you underestimate is usually the one who kills you.”

“Now you’re quoting Robert Jordan?”

“It seems like a very fitting phrase.”

“I could have died yesterday, but not at the hands of that incompetent.”

“Then we’ll have to find the person who dared to attack my little sister. Though I don’t see any scratches on you.”

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