Page 55 of Unveiled

He shakes his head and clenches his jaw, his voice steady but his eyes blazing. “You’re drunk, love. I’m going to carry you upstairs. You’re going to have some water and a drink I’ll make for you, then I’m putting you to bed.”

He leans in and kisses my cheek. “And when you’re sober, Anya. We’re going to revisit this conversation.”

I let him carry me upstairs.

Roll down the covers.

Undress me and help me get ready for bed.

I drink the water he gives me and take the meds, before I close my eyes and sleep.

Chapter 15

SEMYON

I standin the middle of the grand living room of our family estate. This house, ironically nicknamed “The Cottage,” hums with activity as our family gathers. My eyes drift to Anya, chatting with Rodion’s wife, Ember. They’re sitting on a loveseat, just far enough apart to remain polite, but I notice every movement. Anya’s back is straight, her eyes flicking to me every so often, but her smile at Ember is genuine. It’s relieved. Ember isn’t like the rest of us. She wasn’t born into the mafia and barely understands this world. But she’s loyal to my brother, and that’s enough.

Last night, I tucked Anya into bed. Made her drink water with electrolytes and take pain relievers. She slept hard, and right when I went to talk to her, Stefan woke up for breakfast and Rafail called.

“We have information about Eli.”

I’ve waited this long for my wife. But I won’t wait much longer.

Rafail paces by the window, his hands buried in his pockets, dressed as always in a bespoke suit. His wife, Polina, is seated nearby, scrolling through a tablet with Yana, my sister. When Anya and I arrived earlier, the greetings were quick—just little waves and smiles—but I noticed the way their warmth touched Anya. Zoya, my youngest sister, immediately took Stefan under her wing.

“I’m baking cookies in the kitchen,” Zoya said with a big smile, crouching to Stefan’s level. “Want to help?”

Stefan had looked to me for permission. I gave him a small nod.

Good. He’s learning.

After I checked on his room and how well he’d followed my instructions, I told him he did a good job. His little face lit up with pride.

Anya doesn’t belong here. She’s fire in a world of ice. So while I’m fine with Stefan following Zoya to the kitchen, I make Anya stay where I can see her.

Always within my line of sight. I won’t ever forget the way she looked at me when she told me I broke her heart.

I’ll make it up to her.

Rafail turns to me, his expression grim. “The Morozovs demand payment,” he says. “And there’s word that the Irish are pressing in on our territory.”

The Irish.My god. In recent years, the Irish have grown in strength and number, commanding all of the eastern coastof Ireland but strengthening their connections in Boston. Their tendrils reach deep into the underworld of Europe and North America, and every goddamn one of us knows it.

“What does that mean for us?” Polina asks.

“It means,” I say, stepping closer to Anya, “that everyone needs to be accounted for. It means our enemies will exploit any weakness.” For one brief, passing moment, I almost call Zoya back to us, so I can assure myself that she and Stefan didn’t walk to the kitchen and straight into a trap.

I turn back to Rafail. “And what about Elizar?”

I can feel Anya’s eyes burning into me. I wish she trusted me the way she did when we were younger.

We’ll get there.

Before he can respond, the front door bursts open. My uncle and aunt stride in; their presence is an immediate reminder of the rot that sometimes infects even the closest families. Eduard’s gaze narrows on Anya, and Irma walks in on a wave of blonde hair and perfume.

Their son Matvei enters behind them. He and his brother Gleb grew up alongside us. Strong, dependable, and unwavering in support of our family, it’s been a thorn in his side that his nuclear family lacks the same loyalty.

Broad-shouldered, with a quiet intensity, Matvei knows the ins and outs of Bratva life better than most.

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