Page 5 of Cashmere Ruin

Because I’ll make damn sure of it.

2

MATVEY

“Nice of you to join us, brother.”

At the sound of my voice, the rest of thevoryturn as one to the conference room’s door. Sarcasm drips thick from my tone, but Yuri takes it without a word. He lowers his gaze, gives a quick bow of apology, and rushes to take his place at my side, not once dropping the beaten dog aura.

At least he has the decency to look sorry.

I can’t say I’m fond of his newfound habit of his—disappearing into thin air at a moment’s notice. Being late to meetings, late to summons, when we both know perfectly well the difference a split second can make in a crisis.

When you’re Bratva, you don’t get the luxury of being late.

Or of not being there at all.

“Anybody care to catch up my second?”

A few uncomfortable glances are exchanged. Gora clears his throat, while Ipatiy shuffles on his chair, opening and closinghis mouth like the world’s fattest goldfish, neither one sure if it’s their turn to speak.

Finally, Ivan rises. “The updates are few.” His clear voice echoes in the conference room. “We’ve ruled out the last of the neighboring states. So far, the search has been fruitless.”

Quick, concise, to the point.

And most of all, merciless.

One month. It’s been one whole month since my child—mydaughter—was spirited away by her mother. Without a sign, without a word. Only a shitty letter goodbye.

I keep replaying the contents in my head: April’s accusations, her reasons, her traumas.

Excuses, all of it.

That’s what I keep telling myself, at least. If April truly felt that way, she would’ve said something.Should’vesaid something.

What if she tried, though?

I silence that annoying voice at the back of my head.Tryingisn’t good enough. It isn’t a good enough excuse to take my daughter away from me.

You left her out of the blue,that stubborn voice presses on.You told her you loved her, then went to marry another woman. You let her think Petra was pregnant withyourchild.

You didn’t trust her with the truth. So what did you think was going to happen?

“Expand the search,” I order. “Get as far as the West Coast if you have to. I want them found, and I want them found now.”

Stanislav clears his throat. “Moy pakhan…if I may, there’s still the matter of the D.C. deal to fix…”

“Did I fucking stutter?” I snarl. “I saidnow.Everything else can and will goddamn wait.”

“But—”

“This meeting is adjourned.” With that, I storm out of the conference room.

Yuri and Grisha hurry after me. “Motya?—”

“Don’t you ‘Motya’ me. Where the fuck have you been?”

Yuri reels back as if slapped. Grisha moves discreetly to shut the door to my office as my brother stammers out a weak, “I…”

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