Page 41 of Filthy Lies

He breathes. Waits.

“You told me I could be furious with you, but at least I was alive to feel it.” I lean away and brush his silver-streaked hair back from his forehead. “That’s what tonight was about, as far as I’m concerned. Keeping us alive, no matter what it took.”

Vince’s eyes darken. “I would kill every person in the Bratva if it meant keeping you and Sofiya safe. I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“I know.” I touch my lips to his. “That’s why I love you.”

17

ROWAN

The sound of men’s voices pulls me from sleep.

Not just any voices—these voices are panicking. Tense, urgent, hushed but still carrying through our secure compound.

My eyes snap open to find Vince’s side of the bed empty, the sheets cold. He’s been up for a while.

Something’s wrong.

I slide out of bed and jog to check on Sofiya in her bassinet. She’s still asleep just as I left her. So I grab my robe and move to the bedroom door, pressing my ear against it until the sounds start to take shape.

“—additional teams on the north perimeter.” That’s Vince’s voice, controlled but barely.

“How many men?” Arkady’s voice now.

“At least thirty. Maybe more in the woods.”

“Armed?”

“Heavily.”

My heart rate spikes. I open the door and step into the hallway.

The main living area of our secure compound has transformed overnight. Armed guards at every window. Men I’ve never seen before are busy checking weapons. Two of Vince’s tech guys are hunched over monitors displaying security camera feeds.

Vince stands at the center of the mayhem, barking orders left and right. He doesn’t look surprised to see me.

“What’s happening?” I ask, crossing to him.

“We’re fine.” He takes my hands. “Is Sofiya?—?”

“Still asleep. Vince, what’s going on?”

He hesitates, and I know whatever comes next is bad.

“We have visitors.” He guides me to the kitchen, away from the others. “Grigor Petrov and his men have established a perimeter around the property.”

It takes a moment for the words to register.

Grigor Petrov.

My father.

My biological father.

“He—what?” I grip the counter behind me. “How did he find us? I thought this place was secret.”

Vince pours coffee into a mug and hands it to me. His movements are rock-steady, but I can feel the tension radiating from him. “It was. Not anymore.”

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