Page 80 of A War Around Us

My brother hesitated, and I was troubled by it. How was this possible? What could make him hide anything from me? All I’d done was forthem, forhim!

His eyes lowered, and my chest caved as my heart raced, and I lost it.

“Fucking speak, Viktor!”

Viktor took a deep breath and looked at me again.

“I mean it when I say my main reason is to keep Katia safe, keep the family safe, and help away from the department.”

“But?”

As I held on to the trembles of fury, tension dragged me forcefully.

“But it was more of one person who had given me a hard time and kept a close eye on me, which is why I’ve kept a low profile and had to distance myself. They have too much suspicion, but…” He rubbed his neck, rolled and dropped his head. “Between getting to know my enemy and their weaknesses, I grew too close toher.”

I took a moment to think through his admission. He kept this information to keephersafe and nothing more. Hecaredabout this woman. Jesus, he slept with a fucking DEA agent, caught feelings, and now, she was at risk too.

“What’s her name?”

“Don’t ask me that.”

“Does she know?”

“No.”

I picked his answer and body apart for the truth.

“You said she had too much suspicion!”

It was one thing for people to talk, believe, and murmur about our affiliation. Others could swear by it, but we never admitted it. We didn’t speak of the Mafia unless they were in our world. It was an enforced rule with no way to mend, specifically the law.

Cazzo!

“Suspicion is not knowing.” Tiredly, his eyes looked away. “She stopped digging. She won’t utter her thoughts out loud.”

“How do you know this?”

“She has a daughter.”

“My God, Viktor.” I stepped away from the door to him. “Not only did you bed a DEA agent, putting her life at risk, but a fucking child!”

“You won’t kill a child.” He shook his head, reassuring himself.

“But how many have we orphaned?” I yelled. I let go of control and rushed after him. He didn’t even fight back. He only straightened as I grabbed his shirt, pushing his body up against the wall harshly. My voice was lowered in hatred. “How many have we left to suffer in the same orphanage as we grew up in? Huh? The one you wouldn’t leave your baby brother behind in, even while you took the fucking beatings for him when I wasn’t around? The same shit hole that robbed us of a future?”

“I fucking tried! Fuck did I try.” His body gave, and his head lowered. Viktor was in pain for what he’d done.

I let go of him and his body staggered, and his head fell onto my shoulder for a split second before he quickly lifted it.

“I love her and her daughter, so I left her.”

I took a step away from his words.

“Does she hate you?” Arlo asked, when he really meant,was she crazy enough to want to ruin your life?

“No. We both agreed it was for the best. She couldn’t risk her position by having an intimate relationship with another agent. Our branch has ano-fraternizingpolicy. Right now is a good time for me to step away.”

I ran my hand over my hair, my neck, my beard—I needed a drink.

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