Page 5 of Unveiled

He planned this. And now my family is caught in the crosshairs.

I tuck the phone in my pocket as my heart aches. Elizar pisses me off, but he’s my brother. I have no idea where he is, but based on the fact that he left his phone here, I can only assume he ran.

Unless he’s hurt…

Rage simmers in my veins. First, at my brother for leaving us in this position to begin with. Next, at Semyon, who let my brother accumulate this staggering amount of debt.

I haven’t talked to Semyon inyears.

Years.

But now… I can find him. I have to find him. I shouldn’t—god knows I shouldn’t—but Eli’s phone burns in my hand like a loaded gun. If I don’t do something, we’ll lose what little we have left. The bakery, the apartment, Stefan’s future—gone. All gone.

I promised my mother I would protect Stefan no matter the cost. It was my last promise to her before she died.

I take a shaky breath and type the words that seal my fate. I lift my brother’s phone, my fingers trembling as I type out a message to Semyon.

Where are you?

Chapter 3

ANYA

When I was little,my mother used to call me her little firefly. Because I was so tiny, I practically flew about the house or yard, skipping rocks by the creek or climbing one of the huge maples that overlooked our backyard. But if I got angry—usually at my older brother or the injustice of a situation—my temper wouldflare.

“Be careful, my little firefly,” she’d say after another one of my tantrums, running her hand down the back of my head over my hair. “One day, that temper might get you in trouble. And I won’t always be here to save you.”

Her voice still echoes in my mind, each word a ghostly reproach as I tug her threadbare coat tighter around my shoulders and brave the biting wind.

She’s gone, and I failed her.

It’s so frigid I feel like my nostrils are sealed together when I breathe; any bit of exposed skin aches when the windtouches it. But we haven’t had a car in years, and I don’t have the money to hire a ride. The wind knifes through me, stealing the air from my lungs, but it can’t compete with the storm in my chest.

Every step toward the pub is a battle—against the cold, against the pain in my legs, against the fury that tears me apart.

Each frozen breath is a vow:I’ll make him listen.

Maybe the mile-long walk to the pub will cool my raging temper.

His response was immediate.

Iron Birch. Come now and come alone.

Oh, I’ll come alone alright. Who else will I bring, me and my battery of alliances and besties? Ever since I had to quit college and work in my family’s business, my time with friends has dwindled to nearly nothing. Ophelia’s the only one left. And while I know she’d pick up if I called her at any time of day, I also know she’ll do her best to talk me out of what I’m about to do.

Rage and desperation are powerful fuel.

I have to confront him.

“Hey, gorgeous. Need a ride?” I shiver and keep my head down, ignoring a man standing in a doorway. I’m so desperate for warmth that I almost entertain the thought but manage to keep some semblance of self-respect.

I look at the number on the building to my left. Only fiftymore to go.

“Hey,” he calls after me but doesn’t follow. I pick up my pace.

By the time I get to the Iron Birch, I’m shaking, disheveled, and angrier than before I left. Howdarehe and his stupid family come after mine? After all he did to us?

Howdare he?

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