“But why take Anya?” Rodion says. “Why not one of us?”

“She is a much easier target.”

Rodion turns to his brothers. “Get your men together. Whatever we need to do—we have to help find Anya.”

He turns back to me. “It must have been my enemy. They have been causing shit for us for a while now. I didn’t think Anya was in danger, though. I guess they were waiting for the right moment and we created enough of a distraction for them to make their move.”

I sigh, running my hand through my hair. “Yeah. Fighting between ourselves really doesn’t help anything.”

Leon steps close to us. “What is going on?”

“Someone has been watching us. They saw the ongoing tension between the two families and used it as the distraction they needed to take Anya.”

“Fuck sakes.” Leon snarls. “Get the men together. We’ll all go after them. Does anyone know who they are? Where are they located?”

Rodion nods. “It’s the Sidorov family. Three brothers. They have been threatening us for months. They made a few weak attempts to take us out—but they are small—annoying and useless.”

“I know the family. I know where their base is.” Leon nods at me.

“Alright, lead the way,” I say.

Then I turn to Raisa.

“Raisa, stay here.“

“Not a chance. I am coming with you,” she snaps, heated and not backing down.

“Raisa, I need you safe.“

“Oleg, I don’t care what you need. Iamcoming with you.”

I sigh, annoyed, but I don’t have time to argue with her.

“You are staying in the car,” I insist as we all jog out to the driveway, everyone piling into the cars, ready to follow Leon.

I check my gun beneath my seat, making sure it is loaded and ready.

Raisa eyes it nervously.

“It’s not too late to stay here. I will come back and—“

“Drive. We don’t have time to waste,” she says, pulling her safety belt across her chest and clipping it in.

I tried. But she’s right. We don’t have time.

Chapter 26 - Raisa

My stomach is in a tight knot as we follow the convoy behind Leon.

I honestly thought Rodion had been the one who took Anya. When we all realized that it wasn’t him, my heart sank because at least if it was my own brother, I could have spoken to him. Unfortunately, she is with a stranger now someone scary, dangerous, and unknown.

I sit quietly next to Oleg. He looks tense and worried as well.

I don’t blame him.

I know he is very close to Anya.

All of her brothers love her.