Page 115 of Merciless Queen

“Got you to call, hasn’t it?” Traces of amusement dance in his tone. “No gift has gotten you to reach out, so I had to pull out the big guns.”

Veles pushes against my hand, reminding me of his presence, and compelling me to, for some reason, admit, “I love the dog.”

“Good. What did you name him?”

“Veles. It’s the name of the Slavic god of the underworld.”

“Of course you did.” I could almost picture him smiling. “Agapov isn’t a gift. He’s righting a wrong.”

My chest clenches so tight, my lungs feel like they no longer function. “Why? Why him, Zeno? Why now? And how?”

Zeno’s silent for a moment, and it’s sixty seconds too long; they make me feel like I’ll lose my mind if he doesn’t respond. When I’m about to demand he does, he speaks, his voice soft and melodic, placating but calming.

“He hurt you, so you deserve revenge. As for how, well, don’t worry about that.”

Don’tworryabout it? After two years of searching, it makes no sense Zeno found him. “I need to know. How did you find him in only a month?”

Another pause, a sigh, and then my long-awaited reply. “He’s been hiding in Italy. Made a deal with another Family’s capo when you became Pakhan because he knew you’d be searching for him. He’s been underground for the two years, far from Russia. That’s how you haven’t found him. Actually,” he huffs gently, “you technically did find him. The capo holding him is Alessandro Vitale, the same one your father made the deal with for Serafina’s hand.” Also the one I once believed to be the head of the entire Cosa Nostra before understanding their structure. “The only reason I have Agapov is because he bargained with me.”

I did it for Serafina. Never realized one kind act would have such a domino effect.

“What did you have to bargain away?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Except I am worrying. Worrying a lot. “We’re even then?”

“Even?”

“For Serafina.” Surely, that was his entire motivation.

Pause. “This was never about her. As I said, you deserve this.”

He’s lying. People from enemy organizations don’t do kind things. I’m desperate to believe this is all an act. “What do you want in return?”

Zeno huffs, this one packed with frustration. “Nothing. There’s no secret agenda. Do what you need to and end his sorry soul. That’s my only desire.”

Oh.It’s still unfathomable to consider he’s not doing this to have power over me. There’s no other reason that makes sense, but for now, I concede with,“Then if you mean that…thanks, Zeno.”

“Same question, Vanessa,” he says suddenly. “Why did you let us know about what you found in your father’s journal?”

“Told you, it’s for Serafina. Not fair for her to be blindsided one day.”

“Liar. Why else?”

With my heart feeling seconds away from ripping out of my chest and my secrets unpeeled, I hang up.

Hoursafter my call with Vanessa, she remains on my mind, even when Ishouldbe focused on Serafina’s safety.

Spread out on my desk, Elio flips through file after file, sliding his chosen options toward me. Whoever’s charged with watching her has to be discreet but capable. Quick too, in case she picks up on someone stalking her.

After skimming all ten trusted options, none of them are good enough.

“Too old.” Six files immediately get shoved to the side. “She’s attending university soon, so they’ll need to blend with other students.”

Elio slides the other four closer. “One of these then? Young, but all highly skilled.”

I scan over the four profiles. Young enough to look like students themselves, sure, but all with their own issues too.

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