Page 69 of The Russian Retribution

“Go for it.” The seal of my bottle cracks sharply as I open it, then I close my eyes against the warm sun and drink deeply.

“You okay?” Faina asks while we begin to walk deeper into the garden. “Your phone call earlier sounded urgent.”

Drinking my fill, I wipe the corner of my mouth and gaze out across the garden. Flowers bloom brightly in the sun, bees buzz nearby, and the hum of distant garden machinery reaches my ears. We should be able to talk secretly here. “We need to talk about Viktor.”

“Has he said something?” Faina’s tone is alarming and she clutches at my arm. “Do I need to get you out of here?”

“No, no. Not yet. It’s been a couple of days and he hasn’t said anything, so either he doesn’t know or he’s playing the longgame. Either way, we need to do something about him. With Erik gone, it’s only a matter of time before Viktor snaps and takes matters into his own hands, regardless of what he knows.”

“Do you think he’s dangerous?”

“He’s loyal to my father, even after all these months. I don’t think he has my best interests at heart.” We move from the gravel path to the thick grass, slowing our pace so I can admire some of the flowers. “And it’s clear he’s been working against me. I mean, he was the one who hired Erik in the first place. He moved him from a grunt role to my security adviser not long after my father passed and I brought you up. If he’s been investigating me since then…” Puffing out my cheeks, I shake my head. “Then he’s never been on my side.”

“I used to think he acted the way he does because he wanted to keep you on your toes,” Faina remarks. “It all looks so different now, in hindsight.”

“Agreed. So, I think I need help.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“I need more help than you can provide, Faina. As much as I adore you, I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I can take care of myself.” Faina chuckles. “And by that, I’m hoping the security team I’ve been paying will want to continue to get paid and thus keep me alive.”

“That’s one way to look at it.” We wander under a wooden trellis and I run my fingers through flower petals and soft leaves. “But this time, I need something more. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Erik’s lies have made me realize that I’m actually quite alone.”

“You have me,” Faina offers, but the look on her face shows me she understands.

Me and her against the world? We wouldn’t last five minutes.

“What about Tatiana?” Faina suggests. “It would be in her best interests for you to remain alive. Otherwise, she’ll lose the deal the two of you have crafted.”

“True, but I haven’t fully secured that deal yet and I’m not even fully convinced of her legitimacy. I found no record of my father ever having done business with the Yegorovs, but that doesn’t rule them out of being his secret partner.”

“True,” Faina murmurs. “And there’s hardly enough time to build that kind of trust.”

“Exactly.”

“What about the Irish?”

“The Irish?”

“Yeah.” Faina guides me toward the stone fountain in the middle of the garden where our words are swallowed up by the rush of water spouting from beautiful swans. “You helped them catch Brenden’s killer. At least in some way. Surely, they owe you?”

“I…” Hesitation stops me. Cormac is already helping me with medication and insurance for all the people we’ve rescued from my father’s schemes. Can I really reach out for more? Would that just make me look weak?

I sit down on the edge of the fountain, perching on the cold stone and dipping my fingertips into the water.

“Anastasia?” Faina joins me, crossing her legs at her knees. “It’s not weak to ask for help.”

“But from another family? An outside organization at that.” A chill runs up my arm. “It wouldn’t be the first time a family was swallowed up by the enemy.”

“True,” she replies. “But we’re not at war. At least not an external one. It can’t hurt to ask.”

My attention remains down on the ripples moving through the water as I dance my fingers back and forth. “You’re right. If I can’t trust Viktor, then I need to make sure I have someone on my side. Even if it’s just because I’m paying them. Maybe Cormac will grant me an alliance for the gala, and some security.”

“Plus,” Faina adds with a warm smile, “it will make you look good. You get on that stage and you can announce to all the other families about your plans to move forward while showing exactly what kind of leader you will be. Someone who makes deals and alliances, not someone who starts war and feeds on greed.”

“You think?” I lift my gaze to her.

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