Page 129 of Shattered Altar (Makarova Bratva Duet)

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I mumble.

“I’m serious. You’re so much more capable than you give yourself credit for, Liv. Just trust your instincts and keep your head down. I’m going to get you out of there. A year be damned.”

“Just as long as you’re careful, too, Rob,” I tell him. “We lost Dad. We can’t afford to lose you too.”

“Backatcha, kid.”

I smile, though it’s tinged with sadness. “Rob, I really am sorry. This is—”

“She’s not dead, Liv,” he cuts in. “I know everyone thinks she is, but I can feel it in my bones. She’s not dead.”

I nod. “Okay, Rob, sure,” I say, though I’m really just telling him what he wants to hear right now. “I’m gonna help you find out what happened to her. And then we’ll bring her home.”

“Damn right. Don’t take unnecessary risks, Liv.”

“I never do.”

But as we say our goodbyes and hang up the phone, five little words play in my mind over and over again. Aleks’s words.

Risks make life worth living.

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