Page 6 of Claim

She’s already almost jogging to keep up with my brisk strides.

“Not as fast as I used to. The baby makes it harder.” Her admission almost goes over me.

Stopping, I grab her shoulders. “Baby? Does Ivan know?” My nose is so close to her, I can feel her gasping breath over my skin.

Her wide dark eyes flick between mine and the burning wound on my face. Biting her lip, she shakes her head. “That’s why I had to run now. Any longer and he’d find out.”

“Fuck. Okay. Let’s go.” I practically drag her out the door on the far side from where my father’s men are, then sneak out through the woods, circling the estate.

It’s only then I get a clear view of the house.

Or, what’s left of it.

The kitchen and living room where I fought Ivan is the only section standing.

Sergy’s wing, where my mother and Katerina were, is flattened.

Hollow misery overtakes me.

I’ve gotten Zoya out, but at what price?

CHAPTER 1

MIKHAIL

Present Day

I don’t needto look at the date to know it’s been six years since our lives were ripped apart. I have the reminder every fucking day on my face.

Every year that goes past turns another part of me to stone, the evil inside me roots a bit deeper.

“Enzo, now is not a good time.” I wave him away from my desk in the hopes I have just a few more minutes to finish double checking the scheduled events at my casino.

Who knew the life of organized crime meant actually doing real work to keep up the facade?

“Mikhail. This can’t wait.” He tosses his laptop down in front of me and flips it around to face me.

There’s a black and white still image, but I have no idea what it is.

Raising my eyebrows seems to trigger him into action.

“Watch.” He reaches over the screen and hits a button.

At first, it’s just a grainy shot of a snowy alley.

But then a car skids in, slamming on its brakes as two big guys jump out and run off screen.

“Enzo—”

“Just. Watch,” he grits, his fingers nervously tapping on the oak.

He isn’t the type to get worked up, so I know this has to be big.

A moment later, the original two men, with another behind them, comes into view.

“What the fuck is he carrying?” I squint and lean closer, trying to figure out what the hefty sack is he has over his shoulder.

“Wait for it.” Enzo shifts so he’s standing next to me, his hand poised over the keyboard.

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