Page 55 of Luka

“What about Leo?”

“Leo isn’t exactly innocent,” I say, my voice infused with annoyance as I gesture to her neck.

She rears back. “ButArseniis?”

I open my mouth, ready to defend him, but hold my tongue. I don’t know what went on before she escaped, but I’m also not sure I want her to enlighten me.

I clear my throat. “That’s my condition. Take the deal or don’t.”

She continues to stare at me curiously but nods. “Okay… If I’m ever asked, I won’t say a word about Arseni.”

Letting out a breath, I nod, then start my car and back up to turn around.

“Wait, so where are you taking me?” Lucia asks, her gaze heating the skin of my neck.

I start down the narrow path, my lips curving slightly. I can’t fucking believe I’m about to do this. Never in my dreams did I think I’d take my sister up on her offer to use her fortress, and the idea of being around her or my brother-in-law for longer than anything required feels unbearable… And yet, I feel relieved. Maybe even excited.

“Ironic as it may be, Peach, I’m going to have to ask you to trust me.”

16

LUCIA

My eyes widen when Luka pulls up to an iron gate as tall as a house, spikes on the ends of the bars, two men with guns peering down at us from a tower at its entrance. They move a spotlight to the car and shine it in through the windshield, its heavy beam so blinding I have to cover my eyes.

Luka rolls down his window, and without a word from him, they let us through.

I rub my eyelids as Luka coasts down a driveway. When I lower my hands, I spot more men with guns walking the property. A mansion as impressive as my father’s is at the end of this driveway, but Luka takes another path and drives us to a small lot of cars around the side of the building where he parks.

“What is this place?” I whisper, turning in the seat to peer at the mansion. My stomach knots as I note the eerie similarities to my home. The guards, the fence, the beautiful house. Is this a sanctuary or a cage?

“Welcome to the Petrov Mansion,” Luka says, shutting off the car. “Otherwise known as Bratva headquarters.”

“Bratva?” I ask, my throat thickening.

“Russian mob.”

I look around again and shake my head, fear tickling the back of my neck. “I know what the Bratva is. Why the hell would you bring me here?”

Luka snickers before opening his door. He comes around to help me out, but I’m not sure I want to let him. I’m also not sure what choice I have.

Luka is a mobster?

He takes my hand and drags me from the car before leading me to the mansion while I dart my eyes around at the men. They watch us as we pass, and a couple say things to Luka in Russian, but no one stops us.

Is he high ranked?

The closer we get, the more curious I am. A soldado wouldn’t stand a chance walking into my father’s estate with such confidence as Luka is doing right now. But then again, it isn’theadquarterseither.

“Are you sure your bosses will be okay with you keeping me here?” I whisper as we approach the door.

Luka looks back at me with a smirk. “Definitely not.”

My lips part with a gasp, and I take his hand to try to stop him from opening the door, but he evades me.

“Luka!” I angry whisper, grasping his shirt to hold him back. “Wait!”

He chuckles before prying my hands from his shirt and walking inside, leaving me standing at the entrance with a guard hovering a few feet away. When I peak behind me, the man is watching me with his brows knitted, his lips puckered slightly with the first sign of a smile. I turn and hurry inside, clicking the door shut behind me.

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