Page 149 of Merciless Queen

As I’m strapping a gun on, a chime rings through the foyer, this one from my phone. I yank it out of my pocket without checking the ID, eager to get the conversation finished so we can get moving.

“Vanessa Volkov,” I greet in a tone that conveysgo away.

“Plemyannitsa.”

The gun slips from my hand as I hear my uncle’s smooth voice. Quickly, before he can speak again, I put it on speakerphone and wander closer to Lev and Anastasia.

“What do you want, Ivan?”

“I’ve been thinking of how shitty I’ve been to you. How after your papa was murdered, I should have respected your rightsas his only child, gender aside. You’ve certainly proven yourself over these years.”

Lev’s brows furrow and Anastasia outright sneers. I’m there with them, assuming his polite words are utter bullshit. After everything, someone doesn’t have this kind of personality growth within the month.

“I can smell your bullshit.”

He chuckles, the sound jamming straight into my patience. “I mean it, Vanessa. You’ve become a Pakhan worth remembering.”

“What happened to being a disgrace to the organization?”

“Why do you think you’re worth remembering?” he lilts, undoing the little progress he may have assumed he made. “Which is the purpose of my call. It’s time to really prove yourself.”

My eyes narrow on Lev’s phone, still with the map up and the pin of his location. Now, I realize why he turned his phone on—to taunt me. The mental games are a cheap price in exchange for his location.

“I ask again: what do you want? Tell me quickly, because we know where you are.”

“I hoped your team would be smart enough to find me as soon as I willed it so. If I were you, I’d start making my way to that spot or else I’ll have to choose for you.”

“Choose?” My heart beats alongside every syllable, trying to decipher the game he’s playing. If Ivan’s forcing options onto me, they can’t be good.

“I have your sister and your husband.”

No.No, no, no.

“Tick tok, Vanessa.”

I don’t know at what point I’ve moved, but suddenly, I’m out the front door, leaving Lev and Anastasia behind. My steps takeme straight to my bike, a single gun strapped to me because it’s all I’ve managed to get on before Ivan’s call.

It’s all I’ll need. One shot.

Sorry, Dimitri. If he hurts them, I have to.

Serafina in the hands of Ivan is sick. For every hair missing from her head, Ivan will lose a vital organ. And Zeno?—

Fuck.My heart both stops and quickens. Sweat builds on my palms until holding my phone seems impossible. I won’t think about what I’ll do to Ivan if he hurts Zeno. I’ve never wanted to kill someone as much as I do right now, Boris included.

Because if Zeno is hurt?—

He’ll be able to take care of himself.

I bring the cell closer to my mouth. “How do I know this isn’t a trick? Send me proof.”

“Is that why you’re currently rushing from your house? I know you too well,plemyannitsa.See you soon, Vanessa.”

The call ends right as Anastasia catches up to me. “Lev’s gathering whoever’s close. I’ll bring a vehicle around.”

“Meet me there.” I reach my bike and climb on, switching it to life. “I’m not waiting.”

She steps in my way, chewing on her bottom lip. “He might kill you if you go there alone.”

---