Page 112 of Immaculate Deception (Romanoff Bratva)

I’m the reason Rose died in that house.

I’m the reason she never saw freedom again.

I’m the reason her family will mourn her.

So as difficult as it will be, I have to be the one to tell them what happened to her. It’s not much, but it’s something. It’s the least I can do.

“I’m going to go find her family, Dima,” I say fiercely, eyes blazing. “They deserve to know what happened.”

He entwines his hand with mine and lowers his eyes to stare at me. We’re silent for a moment.

Then he rumbles in that voice of his, the deep, husky snarl that penetrates to the core of me, “I’m coming with you.”

39

Dima

Arya goes to take a shower while I phone Gennady. If we’re going to find Rose’s family and provide them with some closure on their missing loved one, we’re going to need some direction.

Gennady picks up on the second ring. “Dima? Is that you?”

“No, it’s your other don,” I growl sarcastically.

“Hmm. Tough to know for sure. Say the code word so I know you’re legit.”

“We don’t have a code word,dubiina.”

“Got me there. No need to be rude, though. Alright then, what’s your favorite color?”

“Gennady…”

“This is simply security protocol, Dima—if it reallyisyou. Can’t be discussing Bratva matters without clearing your identity first.”

“I’m going to clear you off the face of the fucking planet if you don’t cut this shit out,” I snarl, though part of me wants to laugh despite all the shit that’s happened in the last two months.

“Fine, fine,” he concedes. “I would’ve accepted ‘blue,’ though. And if we ever do get in a situation like this again, let’s go with code word ‘starfish.’”

“If you think I’m ever going to say ‘starfish,’ you’ve lost your fucking mind.”

“Ah! Ah! You already said it! My work here is done.”

I sigh and rub the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. War or famine, hell or high water—none of it can make my righthand man be serious for any length of time. “Focus. I need you to do something for me.”

“I’ve told you a thousand times, Dima; I’m not shaving that hairy back of yours.”

“I swear to God…”

“Okay, now I’m done for real. What do you need?”

“I need you to find someone for me.”

“I’ve got agreattherapist; you’re gonna love her. Not sure if she’ll feel the same way about you…”

“It’s a little girl and her grandmother, Gennady.”

He sobers up. “Oh. Okay.”

“I don’t have much to go on…” I rattle off all the information that Arya could remember. The little girl’s name, Rose’s name, a vague description of the house in Albany that Arya remembered from a story Rose told her. Something to do with frogs.

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