Page 26 of The Vendetti Soldier

“With everything going on, I doubt we’ll be flying around the world anytime soon. I’d love nothing more than to go on a tropical honeymoon, but Santino’s constantly distracted with work. He’s always checking in with his brothers, so I know something’s up.”

He nods. “Well, now you know why. They’ve been hunting. With the threat here during our wedding, is it any surprise they want to put an end to this and fast? Someone breached their walls for the first time,ever,that I know of,without them being prepared. It has the Capo foaming at the mouth, ready to spray anyone down with bullets should he find them.”

I lean back in my chair, the weight of Rorik's words hanging heavy in the air. The family has been on high alert, the tension almost palpable. I knew it had to be something serious going on behind the scenes with the threat of the Irish mob looming over us like a dark cloud. “We can't just sit back and do nothing,” I reply, my voice firm with determination. I am the daughter of a Bratva Pakhan, after all. I may have been taught to stay safe, but I also have the need for vengeance running through my veins where my family is concerned. “I may not be a part of the Vendetti Empire’s family business, but I won't stand idly by either.”

Rorik grows more serious, leaning in while all traces of the gossiping brother from moments before are wiped clean. Hiseyes shine with a mixture of admiration and concern. “You’re too brave for your own good, Mischa. This isn’t an ordinary situation we're dealing with; we’ve barely married into the family. If you think they’ll put up with us poking our noses in what they consider none of our business, you’re wrong. I love you, sister, but have you forgotten which family you got us tied to?”

A smirk graces my lips as I take another sip of my tea. “I know exactly who I got us tied to, the most powerful mafia family in America. I told you I wanted to wear their ring, to be one of them, to have their power.”

“Why do I not like the sound of this? What are you planning?”

Unfazed by his skepticism, I lean forward, the fire of determination licking up my spine. “I’m not planning anything we can’t handle; we’re too smart for this. We have resources, connections. We can make a move without our dear husbands being the wiser,” I explain, my voice unwavering. “We need to gather intel, learn what the Irish are planning next and how it could affect us. And then... we hit them first, before they have a chance to realize we’re a step ahead of them.”

Rorik studies me for a moment, his expression hesitant. Once I’ve set my mind on something, there’s no changing it, and he knows it. With a resigned sigh, he eventually gives in and nods. “Alright, I'm with you on this. Promise me we’ll be vigilant; we can’t afford to get caught meddling.”

I stand up, the soft clink of my teacup against the saucer echoing in the stark silence between us as he waits for me to speak.“Always,” I reassure him before heading toward the door. I flick my gaze at him once more before stepping inside, a plan already forming in my mind. The first thing?

I need to get access to the dark web again. And who better to help me than an unsuspecting new sister-in-law?

Chapter 13

“I’m with him. For better or worse.” “It’ll probably be worse.” “I knew that the day I met him.” - The Frozen Sea

Rorik

My sister is crazy,and when she gets that look—the type where she obviously has a plan brewing—well, there’s no stopping her. Just like when she saw those wedding images of Dante and his wife, Mischa made up her mind she’d be the next Vendetti wife. She was selling herself short when she mentioned us being smart. She’s not only intelligent but can be sneaky and hatch one hell of a plan when she makes her mind up. Thank fuck I’m here to try and keep her out of trouble, or there’s no telling what she’d already be up to.

Leave it to the tiny, feisty Russian woman to decide she’s going after the fucking Irish for payback. It shouldn’t surprise me; with Papa getting shot, this is the least I should’ve expected from her. I can’t blame her; I want to get my vengeance on those fuckers myself. Thank God Luciano was there to save Papa. I don’t know what I’d do if anything worse had happened to him past his gunshot. It’s the hardest part of being the heir to an organization; you’re used to a bit of power, but never too much. It’s like they give you a paddle but then tell you-you can’t use it to row. It’s basically a wood stick to look at until the just-in-case happens and you finally get to break it out and put it to use.

I’m waiting for my turn to have the power, to be able to call shots and face danger when necessary. However, in order for it to happen, my father must either retire or die to pass the reins, and it’s the last thing either of us wants for him.

Finishing off my tea and snacks, I gather the dishes and take them with me inside. There’s staff to take care of this stuff, but my hands are free, so why am I going to be lazy when they already have a houseful of work to do. Plus, it gives me an excuse to head to the kitchen, which is conveniently located close to the offices.

“Rorik, how are you?”

I’m shaken from my internal thoughts by Annabella, Salvatore’s wife, my new sister-in-law. She started here as a nanny and fell hopelessly in love with the second oldest Vendetti. “I’m good, how are you?”

“Having a toddler and a baby keeps me pretty busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Rosa should be in pre-kindergarten, but her father won’t have it. I understand, of course, so we compromise and have tutors come.” My brow hikes, as it’s the last thing I was expecting from her. She does seem more flustered than she has the other times I’ve been around her. She huffs out a breath before explaining, “Sorry to unload. One of the tutors upset me, so I’m a little more frustrated today than usual.”

Using this to my advantage, I press. “I don’t mind; unload all you want. We’re family, is it not what we do?” I offer a charming smile. I mean every word, but I can still attempt to help myself in the process as well. “What about Salvatore? Did you ask for his help with the tutor?”

She shakes her head, quietly responding, “No, you know how tense things are right now. I don’t want to bother him when he’s so busy, literally keeping us safe. I can figure out the other stuff on my own somehow.”

I nod, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. I tuck her into my side with my free hand. “Sometimes it’s the jobs at home that suck more out of us than the dangerous ones. Most men don’t know that because they aren’t in the position to experience it. I, however, am.” I offer her a sad smile. “What could they possibly have going on that we couldn’t handle? I mean, surely we could help someway, maybe free up a little time for them to help us with the other stuff?”

“We could definitely help them with—”

“Mio bell’uomo?” Annabella’s cut off from finishing her sentence, and it takes me curling my fingers into a fist to keep me from sighing aloud. I was so close to getting an ounce of information out of her, and now I know it’ll never happen.

I meet my husband’s curious stare as he gestures to the dishes in my other hand. “I had tea with Mischa, thought I’d bring the dishes down.”

“Why?”

Annabella gives me a small squeeze from the side, slipping out from under my arm. “Thanks for listening, Rorik, I feel better already. I’ll let you two talk.” She walks in the direction of the arboretum, where I’m sure she’s meeting Cristiano’s wife.

I watch as Annabella disappears and then train my attention on my husband with a sigh. “Thought it would be nice to do something helpful. You know, make a good impression on the staff. I don’t want them thinking I’m a lazy slob married to the pretty Vendetti.” The words taste bitter on my tongue, hating that I’m lying over this issue when we should all be working together.

His expression softens slightly as he seems to buy my excuse, then he huffs. “I’m not the pretty one.” His hand briefly brushes against mine, sending a shiver of desire through me. I wasn’t kidding when I said he’s the pretty one. They’re all classically handsome, like someone straight out of Peaky Blinders, but Luciano takes it a step further. Maybe it’s because he’s so particular about taking care of himself. I can’t put my fingeron it exactly, but he simply stands out to me when they’re all together. He glances in the direction Annabella went, asking, “Is she okay?”

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