Page 13 of Final Installment
That’s not what I’ve heard.
She was obviously a career-minded woman, and she didn’t shy away from enjoying the finer things in life—or men.Over the years, he had kept an eye on Dafina from afar.She had a type—big, burly professional athletes—and she had run through a string of them.
Not that he held her sexual history against her.She had been free to do whatever she wanted with her body and her heart.
But now she’s mine—and she will behave the way a wife should.
There was no question of that.He would lay down the law, and she would obey.She would move to Tirana, and she would be faithful to him.
The old man continued droning on and on about Dafina.Luka was waiting for him to claim she could walk on water when Ben piped up from the front seat.“You have another granddaughter?”
Artan’s breath rattled in his chest, and Luka hoped it might be the last one he took.Fate had other plans.The old man inhaled shakily and said, “The fat one.”
The answer was so rude that Devil, who had been as still as a statue the entire ride, turned in his seat to scowl at Artan who shrugged his bony shoulders.“Wait until you see her.You’ll understand.”He made a face.“I should have arranged a marriage for her before she grew up and lost value.”
“That’s enough.”Luka cut him off with a slash of his hand through the air.It wasn’t only the way he spoke about his granddaughter having no value that disgusted him.His beloved mother had struggled with her weight until the day she died.She was an incredible, loving woman, and he woke up missing her every single day.“Some men would find your granddaughter to be even more valuable.”
“Only if her dowry matched her weight in gold,” Artan said with a harsh laugh.
“We’re only a few minutes away,” Ben interjected before Luka could smack the crypt keeper next to him.
“Thank you, Ben.”Luka’s patience was already wearing thin, and dinner hadn’t even started.He checked his watch and calculated how long he would have to stay to be polite.
When they turned down the lamp-lit driveway, anxiety stabbed his gut.He was walking into the home of an enemy.These people had killed his father and caused the death of his mother.They were responsible for dozens of deaths in a violent street war.Attacking him tonight would be stupid, but he would have understood it.To avenge their father and uncle, honor demanded his blood.
Not that Nikolai Kalasnikov would allow that to happen.He and his wife would be at the dinner tonight, ostensibly as honored guests.Luka was certain they were there to ensure everyone was on their best behavior.He wouldn’t put it past Ana Dushku to knife him in the back on the way out the door.
There was also, of course, the chance that Nikolai intended to corner and interrogate him about the deal that had just been made.Knowing that he was only weeks away from regaining control of the lucrative narcotics corridor he had given as collateral rather than sending Rina to be a hostage, Luka had gone in search of a big deal.There was only one place to go for the volume he needed—Moscow.Specifically, Nikolai’s boss, Maksim.
The terms had been unfavorable, but with the money coming from the trust fund held by the Raffaellis, he could swing it.Barely.But it was the only way for the family to get back on their feet.
Besian didn’t know yet.Luka dreaded that conversation.He could already hear all the arguments his uncle would have.They were the same ones Zec had harangued him with when he’d discovered the secret deal only minutes before Luka left Tirana.He’d forbidden the fixer to speak one word to Besian.That was the only reason Besian hadn’t been waiting at the airport tarmac to slap him upside the head.
The view of Dafina’s family home overtook his anxious thoughts.the mansion was even more ostentatious than the photos Besian had sent.From the outside, the Dushku family seemed wealthy, but that wasn’t the case.Whether the matriarch would come clean tonight was anyone’s guess.He wanted a full accounting and no surprises after sliding a wedding band on Dafina’s finger.
Devil stepped out and opened the door.Ben didn’t do the same for Artan who wheezed as he clambered out of the SUV.Luka took his time getting out and adjusted his tie and jacket before walking toward the front door.He was still a few steps away when it opened to reveal Besian.
“Moonlighting as a butler?”he asked his uncle.
“Trying to escape that—.”Besian didn’t finish what was sure to be a nasty thought.“Ourhostess,” he said instead.His unhappy gaze slid to Artan.“I see my birthday wish didn’t come true.”
“Oh?”Artan wheezed and rattled.
“I was hoping a blood clot would take you out somewhere over the Atlantic.”
Luka silently cursed.And so it begins...
“Well, I still have to fly back.”Artan shoved by Besian and walked into the house.
When he had shuffled out of sight, Luka sighed.“Really?”
“Listen,” Besian pulled at his collar, “that’s a pretty good taste of the shit show that’s waiting for you.”
“How so?”Luka hadn’t even stepped foot into the house, and his stomach was in knots.I should have brought more antacids.
“Well, for one, your bride is missing.”
“Excuse me?”
