Page 106 of Massimo

"I need to call Rurik Frolov."

His concerned look deepens. "Why would you call the Pakhan of the Frolov Bratva? And Rurik Frolov is like a ghost."

Few know what he looks like. He operates in the criminal underworld with an iron-fist but with anonymity. I have a way to contact him, though, because of a favor he owed my father. With my father's death, that favor passed down to me as the Don.

"You're going to call in Tommaso's favor," Gabe deduces. "But why?"

"Because of what Russo said about what happened with Sophie—that Mancini had coerced the hacker into helping them."

"Yeah." He frowns. "And?"

"He also said the coerced hacker suddenly stopped helping them, and they were being protected by someone. So, for Mancini to back off, that someone would have to be extremely powerful. Someone likely with ties to his world."

"Russo mentioned the hacker had connections to Brown University," Gabe connects the dots. "That's in Frolov Bratva territory."

The Frolov Bratva may not be as active in Providence, but that city still falls within their territory. I know through my connection with Renzo that Rurik guards it fiercely, especially because that's where Kianna Finley is going to school, and is under his protection.

Gabe frowns severely. "If this hacker that Mancini coerced is now under Rurik Frolov's protection, he won't give them up, Mass. You won't get justice for the sins against Sophie."

My jaw hardens and shifts. "If the hacker was being coerced, I won't be seeking retribution against them. But they could have information on Mancini or the French mafia that can help us."

"You need to bring Marco and Vito in on this," Gabe insists. "They're your inner circle and can help counsel you."

"There's nothing to counsel me on. I'm doing this."

"It could blow up in our face."

I appreciate his loyalty. "These are my decisions and actions, and I'll bear the consequences. I'll protect the family how I see best."

"And Nova is part of the family?" I see the question in his eyes. "Even if she hates you after what you've done?"

"What I've done," I grit, "is keep her safe away from Mancini and fucking Julien Moreau. Or did you forget what we learned about what Julien has planned for her, or how Mancini abused—"

"I'm not the enemy here, Mass. I'm only playing devil's advocate for how your family could very well see Nova and not love the way she was brought in. How Creed could react to her, especially given that it's confirmed Mancini was the third party that backed Sophie's father and the others to kidnap and deliver her to that death ring."

He stands and comes around the desk to grip my shoulder. "Just be careful with Rurik Frolov. If even a portion of the rumors are true about him, he's a ruthless, cold son of a bitch. I'll go check on the girls. Unless you want me to stay?"

"No. I'm good." I watch him walk to the door. "Thanks, Gabrielle."

He looks over his shoulder at me, the scar down the side of his face and neck, catching in the sunlight. "Don't be reckless."

I smirk. "Chaos and mayhem—that's Vito's playground. Mine is strategic calm and control."

Unless I'm sinking into Nova's tight, wet heat, then I quickly lose all control.

Gabe chuckles and shuts the door behind him. I don't waste any time in grabbing my phone and calling the number my father had given me for Rurik Frolov. I'm expecting to leave a message, but the call is answered on the fourth ring.

"Massimo Santoro," a cold voice with a slight Russian accent answers.

"And how would you know that?" Unease filters through me.

"Prior to Tommaso's death, he called to provide your contact and reminded me of the favor I owe to the Santoro family, and that you would call when it's time to collect."

Sadness at my father's death squeezes my chest like an anaconda.

"Tommaso was a good man." Rurik's voice is less cold and harsh.

"Why do you owe my father?" I ask once I can speak around the lump of emotion in my throat.

---