Page 11 of Bound in the Dark

“How did you guys end up married?”

“I was out of the SEALs and had joined the Dark Sons Austin chapter. They were signing a truce with the Bratva and threw a party to celebrate. Imagine my shock when the head of the Stepanov family, Makail, introduces his daughter and favorite assassin, Alena.”

“Fuck.”

“That about sums it up. I managed to keep my head, but it was a close call. She snuck in to see me that night and an argument led to fucking. Somehow, three months later, we ended up in Vegas getting secretly married. Her family would kill both of us if they knew. I accept her for who she is even if that woman pisses me off as much as I love her. I wish I could say I don’t believe that she wouldn’t tell me we had a child. But if she believed it was the best way to keep us both safe, she would. I can’t get ahold of her and it is driving me crazy. The last time we met she said her family wouldn’t be an issue much longer, but wouldn’t give details.”

“Do you think she’s okay?”

Hawk’s face went cold and his eyes glinted with fury. “If she’s not, I’ll burn that fucking family tree down to its roots for her funeral pyre.”

A chill washed down Highdive’s spine. This man was their leader for a reason. They respected and trusted him with their lives. If he asked, every man here would run into the fires of Hell for him. Whether it was to take over a small country or wash his bike, he had earned their unswerving loyalty time and time again.

“You know we have your back.”

All jokes and teasing aside this was why they were Brothers. The knowledge that you would never have to walk alone into danger. That all you had to do was ask and you would have an army at your side. He hoped it wouldn’t be necessary, but if Hawk asked for help with vengeance, he would be the first to volunteer.

“Dark Sons for life.” Hawk looked at him, the grim expression still firmly in place. “If you care for your woman, you pull her in. Patch on her back or not, this is war and no one is safe.”

His President stood and strode off towards his office. With a sigh Highdive unlocked his phone. Luna wasn’t going to like this, but Hawk was right. He needed to pull her in before anyone thought to use her as leverage to hurt him and the Club. How far was he going to have to go to keep her safe?

Chapter4

Blood may be thicker than water, but in my family that is only true when it is spilled on the floor.

The smell of spilled blood was something Diana was all too familiar with, so she wasn’t surprised when she passed the first body. The marble floors of the South Carolina mansion would probably be easy enough to clean but she was glad it wouldn’t be her problem. By the time she found the fourth body sprawled on the stairs with a broken neck it was easy to piece together that she probably wasn’t going to be needed, but she kept her weapon out and ready.

The screams and Russian curses coming from the upstairs bedroom made it clear that someone wasn’t having the relaxing vacation this place was probably designed for. She took time to clear every room before heading to the source of the sounds not wanting anyone to sneak up on her. Nine dead Bratva soldiers. It would have been an impressive count if she hadn’t known who was responsible for them.

When the Master bedroom came into view Diana was surprised to see her Uncle Arseney bruised, bloody, and tied to a chair. His back was to her and his attacker was nowhere to be seen as if they had conveniently stepped out. She snorted.

She would much rather be back in Colorado enjoying some private time with Highdive. Instead she was here with no clue as to why, or what was going on.

“I haven’t fallen for obvious traps since I was nine years old,” Diana called out. “You said you needed my help. Then vanished. I’ve spent the last month chasing you across the globe. I’m not in the mood for your games.”

“Sestra!”

It had been almost a year since Diana had seen her half-sister. When Alena stepped out from behind the door she looked just like she had the last time they'd met, including the blood splatters barely visible on her black clothing. Looking at her was like looking into her own future. There were over ten years separating them in age and, though they had different mothers, they both took after their father in looks.

It was a good thing Highdive had never met Alena or he would have figured out that 'Luna' was hiding much more than just her real name. Not that that would matter anymore. After going radio silent for over a month she doubted he would be happy with her. After sending her initial text telling him she was leaving, she had turned off that phone to avoid the distraction of the temptation of contacting him again would be.

Silver highlighted her half sister's hair, but that was the only indication that she was now almost forty which was practically ancient for a woman who worked as an assassin. Her sister was the only person Diana trusted without hesitation. They hadn’t known about each other growing up but the woman had found her nine years ago and helped her escape the influence of the family.

Since then they had tried to stay in touch, so when Alena had texted saying she needed help Diana hadn’t hesitated. The two women hugged and ignored the cursing man tied up in the room.

“You could have told me how to find you.” Diana smiled as they broke apart.

“Yes, but the price on my head is so high now that I wasn’t sure you would come.”

She gave her sister the look that comment deserved.

“Is that you, Diana? You will let me go this minute,” her uncle gasped out his demand in Russian.

So many questions ran through her mind it was hard to know where to start. As the bastard child of a crime lord, Diana had been treated as disposable from her first memory. A tool for the family that was only valuable as long as it was useful. But Alena was the cherished daughter, devalued because she was a woman but still important.

What had happened to turn her against the family? Or was this a job for her father? Alena usually wouldn’t call her in for official Bratva business because feelings still ran high over her desertion. There was still a kill on sight order out against her. Diana walked around to study the man who had been responsible for killing her mother and placing her in specialized training.

As a child her uncle had seemed bigger than life, but sitting there beaten and bloody he was no different than any other desperate man. She had avoided seeing anyone from her childhood these last nine years. Maybe that had been a mistake. Seeing them again might put an end to her occasional nightmares. Especially if they ended up dead.

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