Page 5 of Cruel Longing

“Babushka, that is in the past. Only a contract offer?—”

“Nyet,” she snapped. “I know who she is to you. Don’t pretend. I know you chose the family over her. Do not try to tell me you didn’t love her. Or that you do love her.”

My grandmother was not someone to garner sympathy from, not that I was looking for any tonight. I only wanted to survive the wedding, probably as much as Katya did.

“And if I did?” I stared at her. “There is no point. It’s done.”

She nodded. “It’s done.”

I exhaled and pushed on my legs, ready to stand and head back to the bar.

“You are Bratva, Luka. Don’t forget what that means.”

I towered over my small grandmother. Her stature was a disguise. Beneath the surface, she was as lethal and brutal as any man I had trained. Her weapons were only more deceptive than a fist or a loaded gun.

I didn’t know what version of the story she knew. Did she realize I had only chosen the family to protect Amara? That my vow to keep her safe wouldn’t end just because I couldn’t see her or be with her? How much of the truth did she have access to?

“Should I walk you back to join the family?” I offered.

She grimaced. “Nyet. I prefer it here.”

“Suit yourself.” I shoved my hands in my pockets. I had wandered here looking for quiet away from the crowds, instead Babushka had pushed my buttons. There was a restlessness tugging on my ribs. A need building in my fingertips. Stay away from Amara. Forget Amara. She’s not the one. The words pounded in my head. The more I heard her name, the more I wanted to see her. To touch her. To pull her toward me. To confess every fucking sin I had committed against her.

I turned the corner.

“Luka, do not forget what I said. You are smart to stay away from that girl.”

“Goodnight, Babushka.” I ducked into the shadows, away from the prying eyes of my grandmother.

I had just enough vodka running through my veins to do something stupid. I texted my driver to meet me on the opposite side of the gardens. He met me within five minutes. I slid into the back seat.

“Where are we going, sir?”

“The Amato compound.”

Three

LUKA

PRESENT DAY

Istepped onto the portico as the Amato maid closed the door behind me with a gentle, “Good night, sir.”

The fountain splashed in the circle drive. I was certain that searing sensation in the back of my head was the glare from Ciro’s eyes boring bullet holes into my skull. He was nearby watching me. Ensuring I left the Amato compound. He was one of the things I did not miss about New Orleans.

I jogged down the steps toward my car. As I slid into the back seat I replayed those last minutes with Amara.

“That’s not how this is going to work.” My fingers grasped her waist. “We have more to discuss, and we weren’t finished. Far from it. I expect to see you tomorrow for dinner.”

“Are you summoning me?” she asked.

“I’m not asking again, Amara.” I kissed her cheek. “With me, you must remember you do as you’re told.”

I saw the way her eyes lit. It was only a second, but the flame was there. It excited her. It was real.

“Where are we going, sir?” my driver asked.

“I need to see Viktor.”

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