Page 10 of Vow of Silence

It was time for me to find out everything I needed to know about my enemy.

“I wouldn't be surprised if he has a kill team hiding in the shadows to murder you. I have a team on standby who can shadow you and take care of any threat you might face.”

If he does, he’s not the first asshole who’s tried to kill me.

I scoffed. “No team.”

The last thing I needed was Dad hearing that the Russian Bratva was shadowing and protecting me.

I will protect myself.

Viktor opened his mouth but I held up my hand. “No team.”

“You have my contact info. If you change your mind or if something doesn't feel right, call me. I know that you can protect yourself, but everyone needs someone now and then. Don’t allow your pride to put you in a pine box.”

His eyes narrowed. “I know that you crave your solitude and peace but that has ended. Felix wants to wipe out the O’Brien’s and take your territory, don't let him.”

“I have to get back.”

At times like this, it baffled me how many people assumed my dad loved me implicitly because I was his son. For as long as I can recall, his disappointment in my hearing impairment had shattered his lofty aspirations for me. He discarded me like used trash. My father might love me in his own way, but he loved his empire and the O’Brien name more.

I have never viewed myself as being handicapped and I didn't miss hearing. The silence was bliss. The only reason I kept my hearing impairment from others was for the sake of the family name. Those who found out or heard rumors always learned that I wasn’t an easy mark.

I just wanted to be left alone.

My thoughts were clear as I left the room. It was amazing how most of my worries, fears and anger had drained from me. There was one problem that lingered in the back of my mind.

It was time to show everyone who I really am.

I always knew one day I would have to run my father's organization but I hadn’t planned on that day being now. My days of wandering like a drifter were over. The shackles of responsibility suffocated me now that Felix Aslanov was trying to kill me.

It's time I show Dad along with the world exactly who I am.

A devious smile curved my lips. When leaving the hotel, I hadn't seen anyone but I knew they were there.

Someone was following me.

I cracked my knuckles, keeping one hand on my gun underneath my shirt.

Good. Let’s play.

4

ANYA

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK

Three years have passed since the Bosnia incident changed my life. It was near impossible to do anything in secret when my every move was being watched. I thought killing Qemal would resurrect the pieces of me that died that night, but I was wrong. Tonight, was the night I would have my revenge. I had finally uncovered a lead that paid off. Samira Pasalic was going to meet me at midnight tonight or I would tell Arkan that she was working with the FBI to take him down. I hadn’t uncovered all Qemal’s secrets, but I knew that she was involved with Arkan. The fact that he kept her alive meant that she had something on him. Every time he came to the States to do business with our dad, he never brought Dabizir, and he never came to our house. It was like both were avoiding me. During the time I was suffering, they were getting richer. A part of me was waiting for him to kill our father, but he hadn’t made a move yet.

Why is he waiting? If that had happened, many of our problems would’ve been solved.

Boris was getting bolder, restless, and more possessive of Mila. She and I were both at prime age to be married, and Boris was out of control. There was no way I could leave Mila in this house alone, which was father’s plan. He still planned to marry me off, only now to an older Don, who wouldn’t care that I was no longer a virgin. I wished I could tell Mila why Boris treated her like she belonged to him, but she wouldn’t be able to handle it. She would do something stupid like run away. If she did, not even Boris could protect her from dad. If Mila could kill Boris, we would be halfway there, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly. She wasn’t like me.

Once Samira gives me the evidence on Arkan, I will use it to take my father down too. With both out of the way, we could leave the United States, start over, and I could marry Vadim.

Shaking my head, I looked out of the window as the car stopped. We were now in front of the dress shop. One of the men slid out of the car and opened my door.

I sighed as I waited for the owner to open the store. The shop was closed to the public and only a few mafia princesses were allowed inside. Valentina came rushing to the front with a worried look on her face as she saw the army my father requested. If he had been here, she might have pissed herself, but luckily, he was at a meeting with Mila at Aunt Maria’s Bistro. My sister was up to something, but I hadn’t had time to figure her out. I was too busy looking for a way out of our situation. It wouldn’t be long before father found someone to marry me to.

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