Page 70 of Ruthless Vow (Mafia Marriages 5)

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Antonio

I can’t keep doing this, fighting with Aleksandra. It’s not good for the twins, and it’s certainly not healthy for my sanity.

And if there’s any chance that she betrayed me, I want her out from under the roof of the complex.

I have a business to run, an enterprise that I need to focus on, and it’s impossible with fleeting thoughts of last night bouncing through my mind.

She needs to go. And while I don’t want her out of my life or my children never to know their father, what other choice do I have? Her poisoning them with ruthless thoughts, believing that I’m holding them captive, will only aid in her anger and relentless pursuit of escape.

What I desire and what I must do aren’t mutually exclusive.

Sitting at my desk, I gesture Ardian into my office.

“You called for me, sir?” He stands with his shoulders back, his posture perfect like he’s in the presence of royalty. And why shouldn’t he? I’m the fucking mafia king of the castle. Even better, he respects my authority.

“Sit,” I command and nod toward the chair opposite my desk.

He closes the door as he enters my office and slinks into the chair. He’s more at ease than most men who work for me.

“Any word on the bratva?” I ask. He’s in charge of surveillance and reconnaissance. I need to know that they won’t be in further danger if I let Aleksandra and the twins leave.

“Mikhail has returned home,” Ardian says. “But you already knew that.”

I let him go. Not because I wanted to, but because it was the only way to ensure stability and peace between the Italians and Russians.

We forged a simple agreement. He and the bratva are to leave the other mafia families alone. Mikhail’s feud is with me. In exchange, he’s given his freedom.

It’s as good a deal as we’d make, and putting the other families first, it’s what a good don does, protects his people. My men realize we’re at war and are prepared to weather the storm when Mikhail comes for retaliation.

And he will. Inevitably, the war isn’t over.

“Any chatter on Aleksandra?” I ask.

I want to know if she is safe leaving the complex or will her brother go after her?

“I’m not sure what you’re hoping to find, sir,” Ardian says. “If you are suggesting that she leave, I suspect that she’ll return home. She has nowhere else to go, and that would be reckless.”

I realize that, and the thought of sending her to a safe house is briefly considered, but I don’t imagine she’ll go there or stay under my protection.

It’s difficult to wipe the grimace from my face at the thought of something dreadful happening to Aleksandra, Liam, or Sophia. Mikhail wouldn’t hurt his family, would he?

I run a hand through my hair, my stomach doing somersaults. Under any other circumstances, I’d hide my distress, but I don’t fear Ardian’s knowledge of my discomfort.

“Might I make a suggestion, sir?”

I nod for him to elaborate on whatever it is that he wishes to disclose.

“We have apartments in the city that can be monitored and are outside of bratva territory. It might be wise to offer her a place to stay and a stipend if you wish her to cut ties with her family.”

I press my lips tight and mull over Ardian’s suggestion.

It’s not the worst idea, and I would know her whereabouts and ensure that she is always protected.

* * *

I knock firmly on Aleksandra’s bedroom door before entering. I don’t wait for her to tell me to enter. She doesn’t get to give me permission. This is my house. She is my guest.

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