Page 110 of Silent Ties

His praise of Nancy is subtle, but it’s there nonetheless.

“She taught you a thing or two,” he continues.

Lev isn’t going to be distracted, though. “How did you know about the Ghost?”

I shrug, not willing to answer.

“If you want answers about Daisy and her baby, you answer me first.”

Gone is the guy always welcoming me to the family parties. He’s cold, calculating, and unwilling to bend.

I try to swallow, wishing I had water. “I wasn’t 100 percent sure.”

He angles his head, contemplating me.

“Don’t be a stranger.” I study my dry, raggedy nails. I guess it’s nice that they didn’t tie me up. “That’s what Nancy used to always tell me. The last time I saw Tyler, he said don’t be a ghost.”

I’d already figured, that because the Ghost kept going after Marissa, the chances were high he grew up somewhere close by.

Part of me is glad it’s not Tyler, but that doesn’t make him safe from Lev. I selfishly gave Elijah his number, hoping for backup. My only hope is he knows how to go underground before the bratva comes sniffing around for their best lead.

“Tell me if Daisy’s dead or not.”

Lev raises a brow at the demand.

Out of the corner of my eye, Max’s jaw clenches and I just know. My heart beats painfully and I ball my hands into fists, leaning back into my chair, wishing I could curl into myself.

“The baby?” I ask, not ready for the onslaught of horror.

Lev surprises me, though. “A girl. Six pounds, seven ounces. Alive.”

Tears burn my dry, tired eyes. “Let me see her.”

Not a flicker of emotion passes his face. He’ll let me die here without the privilege of seeing Daisy’s baby.

“What happens now?” I ask, my chest cracking. “What will happen to her?”

He shrugs. “Social services.”

Fuck off.

Before anything else is said my phone on the table lights up with an incoming call. It goes dark.

A second later it rings again, the phone lighting up with an unknown number.

At least to me. “Answer the phone,” Dimitri orders.

His forcefulness has both Lev and Max side-eyeing him.

Thankfully, my hand isn’t shaky as I reach for it. I accept the call and under Lev’s harsh gaze, set it to speakerphone.

“Hello?”

“Russet Smith-Zimin, correct?”

The voice is assured, smooth, and somehow downright chatty despite the few words.

A bullet slices through the room. Max looks from me to the phone to his brothers. Elijah places a hand on Roma’s shoulder and Lev takes a deep, steadying breath.

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