Page 164 of Fortress of the Heart

Angelo cocks a brow. “Do we?”

“When we took over Boston, we took an oath, and I still stand by that. We made a pact a long time ago, Angelo. I’d never do anything to put any of the people I care about in harm’s way. This is me, keeping that promise.”

“I don’t know what you plan on achieving except favor with fucking Petrov regarding Katiya.” He shakes his head. “Don’t think I don’t know that she has you under her spell.”

“You of all people know, Angelo, you can’t choose who you love.”

He frowns. “For fucks sake.”

Rocco sticks his head out. “Are you going to hurry this up, or do you want me to start slashing?” he says as we both turn to look at him.

I glance through the two-way window, and Vladimir is tied to a chair. Blood is running out of his nose and one eye has already closed up from the beating I gave him earlier.

Piece of shit. Just looking at him makes me want to go in there and slit his throat.

Katiya was locked up for a week, and Mia for much longer.

He did this. He fucking did it.

“Keep him breathing,” Angelo says, turning back to me as Enzo returns.

“I’ll text you the number,” Enzo says as I give him a nod.

I take out my phone and dial Petrov as soon as the number comes through.

“Aleksi, this is Marco Medici,” I say.

“What the fuck? How did you get this number?” He sounds irritated.

“Now isn’t the time, but I have someone here in my custody. I thought you might like to listen in.”

“I heard my guys found this mysterious hacker at the same time you did and you managed to lose them. Who is this girl, and what did you do with her?”

“She’s nobody, forget her,” I say. “The person you need to speak to is someone you know well.”

“I’m listening.”

I grip the phone hard. “Vladimir Keretov.”

“What?” he spits. “That little piss ant, what has he got to do with this?”

I look over to Angelo, who watches me with a concerned face. Then, I steel myself. “You’re about to find out. Stay on the line.”

I follow Enzo and Angelo through the interrogation room. I can already smell the fear.

This fucking hot shot ain’t so pretty anymore.

Rocco slaps him awake until he’s semi-coherent. I see there are some new puncture wounds on his skin, courtesy of Rocco. I turn my phone onto speaker and then lay it down on the table in front of him.

“Did you get anything out of him?” I nod to Rocco.

“He’s got names.”

“Good,” I say. “We’ll be needing those.”

Vladimir looks at me, every bit of contempt in his eyes.

“Remove the gag,” Angelo instructs.

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