Page 98 of Stricken

I swallow hard before asking what I want to ask next. "Can I ask you something,Zia? When you look at me... do you see something vile? Something sinful because of whom I chose to be with? Is it any different from when you didn't know?"

She tilts her head slightly but never breaks eye contact.

"We all bleed the same blood," I continue, my heart racing. "We will all die one way or another."

I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Seconds tick by. She says nothing but her expression softens, her eyes searching mine with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. The silence stretches even more, punctuated only by the distant echo of someone's footsteps in another part of the church.

Finally, she reaches out, her hand cool against my cheek. The gesture is so unexpected, so tender, that I have to fight the urge to lean into it like a child seeking comfort.

"You're just like your father," she says with affection. "Filled with fire."

My heart clenches at the mention of my father. I open my mouth to speak, but she continues. "That fire, Nico... it can warm a home or burn it to the ground."

She drops her hand, and I feel the loss of contact acutely. Chiara rises, smoothing her skirt. I stand as well, uncertain.

"I'll think about what you've said," she murmurs. "But remember, the road you're choosing... it's not an easy one."

"I know," I reply. "But it's the right one. For all of us."

Chiara turns to me, a sad smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "We'll see,nipote. We'll see."

* * *

I step out of the church and into the bright sunlight assaulting my eyes. The contrast is jarring—from the cool, dim refuge to the harsh reality of the Las Vegas heat. I squint, fishing my phone from my pocket.

"Come on, Costa," I mutter, dialing his number. The line rings, each unanswered tone ratcheting up my anxiety.Pick up, damn it.

It's the third time I'm trying to call him in the past two days and his phone is still off.

The driver Vlad arranged is there, standing next to the hulking Escalade. A gun is hidden underneath his jacket. The man's face seems unmoving as if carved from stone, revealing nothing. I toss him a brief nod and settle into the backseat.

"Where to, Mr. Morelli?" the driver asks, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.

"Just drive," I reply, my attention back on the phone. "I need to make a call."

As we pull away from the curb, I try Costa again. Still nothing. The city zips past the tinted windows, a flashy tableau of sin that usually energizes me. Today, it just feels hollow.

"Merda," I curse, tossing the phone onto the seat beside me. My mind races, each thought a jagged piece of a puzzle I can't quite solve. Where the hell is Costa? And more importantly, has he succeeded in his task of infiltrating the compound where he believes Shtyk is hiding?

I lean my head back, closing my eyes. Vlad's face swims into focus—those gray eyes, and that resolute mouth. God, I miss him. The ache in my chest is a physical thing, sharp and insistent. And I'm scared of it.

But if I can just find Shtyk first, maybe Vlad's reckless crusade ends. Then I can have him all to myself.

CHAPTER33

VLAD

The vibrant colors of the villa's inner walls greet me again as I step out of the black SUV, the bustle of staff and security instantly drowning out my thoughts of Nico. Ivan follows silently behind me as we pass through yet another security line, his eyes scanning every potential threat.

Esteban's firm handshake meets mine as soon as I'm inside the compound. There's shrewdness I've come to expect from him in his hard gaze. "Vladimir, welcome back," he greets me politely. "Everything has been arranged as discussed. And thanks to you, we know the weak spot now." Obviously, his words hint at the recent attempt on my life at this very place and the realization that even household staff could pose a risk.

"Glad to be of service," I reply with mild sarcasm.

He offers a lukewarm smile.

We both choose to move on from the subject.

"I appreciate the hospitality, Esteban," I acknowledge, my tone even. "I hope this visit proves fruitful for us both."

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