Page 57 of A Pawn in the Game
Rather, I clear my throat, focusing on another tidbit she shared. “Take over the throne?”
Nina winces, looking around. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything. But you won’t share, right? Girl code and all that?”
I nod in response. How freeing it must be to live life like that? To make a simple mistake and not have panic swallow you whole. “And the Uncle, have you ever met him?”
“No. He wasn’t around until recently. But from what I know, he’s a real pain in the ass.”
“And now he has the death of one of his men to blame on Luka,” I add, my voice somber. My chances of getting out of here are depleting day after day.
“I don’t know Luka well, but if that man killed for you, he’s likely willing to die for you. And maybe it doesn’t seem like much, considering your situation” —she looks around the dungeon— “but I wouldn’t lose hope yet. Far as I know, this isn’t your war to fight. And Luka and Leon, they’re honorable men. That much I know.”
I down a sip of now-cold coffee, mulling over her words. I don’t know about Leon, but I can believe that about Luka. He’s the one who kidnapped me, but he’s also the one who made sure I had plant-based meals ever since he found out I’m vegan. He’s the reason my sweats are washed and dried regularly, ensuring I have what little comfort I can in this place. And he’s the one who killed a man with his bare hands for laying his hands on me.
I snap out of my thoughts, only to realize I’m holding the hoodie up to my nose. Luka’s hoodie. Nina looks me up and down but luckily doesn’t mention it.
The door opens and Ivan struts back inside. Nina rolls her eyes. “Look, babe, it was nice meeting you. But I need to head to work now.”
She approaches my side of the table, pulling me into a hug. I freeze for a second before awkwardly returning it. My hand pats her back, while the other wraps around her shoulder.
She places both her hands on my upper arms, looking me straight in the eyes. “I might not be able to get you out of here. But if you need anything,anything, to feel better, just let Ivan know, okay?”
I dip my head, moisture forming in my eyes. I’ve only met this girl, but she feels like a friend. Something that’s a rare commodity in my life.
CHAPTER 28
Luka
“What the hell were you thinking?” My brother’s voice echoes the walls of his office. We’re the only ones inside, but I have no doubt the guys outside can hear us.
“I don’t appreciate your fucking tone.” He might be my older brother, but I’m far from the skinny, scrappy kid I used to be.
“I don’t give a fuck if you appreciate it or not! Just as we deal with one shitshow, you go and make another.”
“This had nothing to do with me!” I roar.
“Oh, no? Then why the hell do we have a dead body, one of Toma’s men, on our hands?”
I inhale deeply, leveling my voice before glaring at him. “I caught him trying to rape her. He was basically mid-thrust while she was screaming for help, locked inside of the cage we’ve put her in.”
His face pales, and he runs a hand through his hair. “Fuck,” he mutters under his breath.
“Yeah, fuck. I told you they’re not good men.”
He checks his watch. “Toma will be here in a few minutes.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“We can’t afford the divideyet.”
I grind my teeth, knowing what he means. We still need Toma’s men. We need to deal with Russians first. Then we can handle these internal affairs.
We sit in silence, while the high-end, minimalist wall clock ticks. Leon’s large black desk is strewn with papers, which isn’t like him. He usually has everything filed away in the metal cabinets built into the wall behind him. The dry bar in the corner hosts two half-used rakia bottles and three random glasses, each in a different size. My gaze just lands on the deep circles under his eyes, when we hear footsteps approaching.
I place a hand on my gun. I know there’ll be hell to pay, but I don’t mind pulling the trigger if it comes to it.
The door swings open.
“Uncle…” Leon tries to say, but Toma interrupts him.
