Page 45 of Ruthless Vows

“I know.”

“But I also love you to bits and I know you’re a fucking badass,” she says, making me smile. “Be safe, Luce.”

“I will. Love you, Rory. And give Ale dozens of kisses from me.”

“Okay. Bye,sorella,” she says on a laugh.

She hangs up the call and I huff out a relieved breath. After finishing my smoothie, I curl up under the blanket on the bed and close my eyes. It isn’t too long before I’m fast asleep, hoping tomorrow will be better.

CHAPTER 14

Ivan

I’m not a fan of being caught off guard. In fact, I fucking hate it.

Since I was a child, I’ve always had to have all the information. When I was younger, that was the difference between the next meal for my brother and me. Knowing when shelters would be giving out food for free, or when churches would make donations.

When we moved to the U.S., gathering information is also how I was able to slowly rise to the top of the Bratva. Which is why I can’t believe that I allowed this vital piece of information to slip through my fingers. Because of all the things for me not to know, the identity of the woman my brother used to be in love with should not be one of them.

I’m currently standing in the middle of the room where I access all the information I could possibly need. Everything directly beneficial to my well-being is in this room, including the people I hire to provide me with that information. Some of the best hackers from all around the world. Men and women who can get me anything I need with a few clicks on their computers.

“I want you to dig up everything you can about their relationship,” I order. “Alexei was in New York five years ago. I’m assuming that’s when they met. I want to know everything.”

They get to work immediately, the room suddenly silent except for the noise of their fingers gliding over their keyboards. While they get to it, Ruslan arrives and guides me toward the back of the dimly lit room.

“Where is he?” I ask, my jaw clenching.

I asked him to keep tabs on Alexei after he left the house. Lucia wasn’t kidding, he really is a ticking time bomb. And the last thing I need is him doing something catastrophic.

The thought of Lucia knowing anything at all about him does make me feel a little uneasy. This is such a messy situation.

“He drove to a club as soon as he left here and got drunk. He was about to get involved in a brawl but one of our men stepped in and took care of things. He was brought to the hotel afterward. He’s sleeping it off in one of the rooms,” he informs me.

“And you have people watching him?”

The last thing I need is Alexei disappearing. He’s done it before. It took me only a couple of hours to find him, but I don’t like having him out of my sight.

“Yes, sir. I don’t think he’ll cause any trouble until we have a clear view on the situation.”

“There is no clear view,” I mutter. “I’m getting married to my brother’s ex-girlfriend.”

I don’t miss the look Ruslan throws my way at that. Or the question in his brown eyes.

“Speak,” I prompt after a couple of seconds.

“Nothing, sir. It just strikes me as a little odd that you’re still alluding to marrying Ms. Maranzano.”

“You know me, Ruslan. When have I ever let anything keep me from getting what I want?” I question, fixing the cuffs of my suit.

It’s pretty late, nearly midnight. But after that big revelation, I had to leave the house and come here. The intelligence room is my base of operations. It’s in the basement of my hotel, hidden away from the rest of the world.

“Sir,” the head of the intelligence team calls, beckoning me forward.

I’m at his side immediately and he proceeds to provide me with exactly what I required. Because I need to know how the hell Lucia Maranzano not only ended up in my path, but my brother’s as well.

I’m leaning against the table in the hotel room, waiting for my brother to wake up. It’s dawn and I still haven’t gone home yet. I haven’t slept at all. He’s currently in the bed he was placed in the night before, and he looks peaceful in his sleep, younger. The lines of his face are smoother, but I think the only reason he looks so at peace is because he’s not looking at me. There’s no anger.

Alexei’s always had so much anger in him, even when he was young. I don’t blame him. Growing up the way we did, it’s normal. The difference between us is that I took advantage of that anger and made it my drive to reach places I should have never dared to go. My brother let it fester, control him. I think now it’s all he knows. Especially when it comes to me. It’s easier for Alexei to blame me for all the problems in his life. Now, though, he might be justified in his anger.

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