Page 123 of Bratva's Vow
But beneath it all, a low hum of unease never left me. I kept seeing Vova’s face—smiling, alive. Then bloodied. If only I’d spent more time with him. If only I hadn’t been proud to let him know I loved him for taking me in when I had nothing.
Wren was the only one I’d ever said those words to. Now I would ensure he never forgot.
When I returned to the office, my shirt clung to my back and my sleeves were rolled to my elbows. I needed a stiff drink. Or a quiet room. Neither was likely.
The second I walked out of the elevator, Archie rose to his feet. His expression turned dark, and he crossed his arms as he studied me.
“How was the site visit?” He fell into step beside me. “I told you that you didn’t have to go yourself. You’re sweating.”
“Progress is decent,” I said as we entered my office. “The glass panels of Tower B are up to the executive level now. Rooftop pool’s still behind schedule, but we’ll make up thetime. If the final product looks half as good as the renders, it’ll outshine anything else in the city.”
The moment the door clicked shut behind us, I rubbed the tension out of my neck and dropped my tablet onto the desk. I groaned as I sank into my chair.
“You all right?” he asked.
“Not really. Back’s a little stiff.”
“Want me to massage it for you?” He started toward me, but I held up a hand.
“It’s not necessary.”
“Come on, Maxim. I’ve massaged you more than a couple of times. It’s just to get the kinks out.”
But regardless of the reason, I wouldn’t accept that excuse from anyone massaging Wren, so how could I allow it to happen to me?
“I’m fine, Archie. We still have that interview scheduled for later for the PA position?”
“Actually, they called and canceled. They received another offer they accepted.”
“Fuck. Meanwhile, my business in Chicago is suffering without you.”
“It is not. Honestly, I serve more good here than in Chicago.”
He sat at the edge of my desk and leaned over. “Doesn’t this feel like old times?”
A knock at the door saved me from having to remind him that our relationship was years ago. It was at the back of my mind. The only one who consumed my thoughts was Wren.
Was he feeling better?
“Come in,” I said.
Sergei and Darius walked in, both of them moving with purpose. Sergei shut the door quietly, then turned to face me. The look on their faces was serious.
“You got something.” I sat up straight.
“We have a lead,” Sergei said.
“Talk to me.”
“Someone called. Said they had information about the attack. They want to meet tonight.”
My heart kicked up. I hadn’t felt anything close to hope since the night Vova died. But this… this could be something.
“Did they say who they were?”
Sergei shook his head. “No, but we’re tracing the call. We should have something concrete soon. But whoever they were, they knew Vova’s name and how he died. He mentioned the sledgehammer.”
“Do you suppose he’s the killer?” Archie asked.
