Page 71 of Silken Chains
He smirks, unfazed. “You’ve been all about her since the day we tracked her down.”
A warning look is all I give him. Misha’s been in the trenches with me for a decade, the only guy I really trust, but he’s still my underboss. He doesn’t fear anyone, not even the pakhan. Honesty is his thing, and it’s usually welcome—just not now.
“Look, like I say, she’s practical.”
Misha looks at me with a wink. “Right. Very practical. Tell me, was it also very practical to drag her to your suite?”
My stare could freeze hell over, but Misha, he’s got the guts to meet it. He knows he can. He’s seen the darkest corners of our world, owes his life to my old man. But his loyalty doesn’t give him a free pass today.
I arch an eyebrow at him. “You spying on me now?”
“Just making sure you’re not slipping, boss. With a girl like that, you never know. She could turn your world upside down.”
I run a hand through my hair. “What pisses me off is you doubting my call.”
He snorts. “Just watching your back, boss.” Misha’s smirk fades into something more serious as he turns his attention back to the road. “Your safety comes first.”
I’ve always trusted Misha. Since we were just kids—me at five and him at seven—when my father introduced us and gave us toy guns to play with. We’d run around, pretending to be characters from “Jonny Quest,” thinking we were on some big adventure, fighting bad guys and saving the day.
Those days are long gone, but the bond we built has never faded. Now, we’re dealing with real dangers, not just make-believe. But it’s like nothing’s really changed between us. Misha’s still got my back, just like he did when we were shooting at imaginary villains in the backyard. It’s us against the world, just like it’s always been.
The car moves smoother, the city sounds are a distant echo now. I can’t help but think about Laura, how bringing her into this mess is a gamble.
“I’m not looking to get tied down, married, or chained to anyone. Laura’s just here for a year, a straightforward business transaction, nothing more.” I start to justify my actions, questioning why I even feel the need to.
Misha snorts. “Sure, boss.”
I’m about to retort when he shifts the topic. “Speaking of which, I’ve got news on that piece of shit, Dave Jankowski.”
I lean forward, interest spiked. “Where is the bastard?” I crack my knuckles.
Misha turns around from the front seat, angling in a bit so I catch every word clearly. “That rat’s back, roaming around New York,” he says. “And guess what? He’s been lurking around Laura’s apartment.”
My brow furrows. “What the hell is he after now?”
Misha shrugs, his gaze hard. “We’re not sure yet, boss. Seems like he’s got more dirty secrets up his sleeve.”
The thought of him near Laura sets off a storm inside me, raw and raging.
“If that suka so much as breathes in her direction, I want him six feet under. Clear?”
Chapter 26
Victor
“WE’RE HERE boss.” Ari announces, pulling the G-Class to a stop in front of the main house. My eyes crack open, catching the estate’s green rush outside the window. Looks like I caught a few minutes of sleep without meaning to.
I grunt in response, checking my watch.
Just in time.
“Good luck, boss,” Misha teases from the front seat, turning to throw me a smirk.
I shoot back a glare. “Zakroy svoy rot, Misha. Make sure everything’s ready in twenty-four hours. Those Vasilievs won’t hand over our shipment without a fight.”
Misha chuckles. “Don’t sweat it. We’ve got their location pinned down. Just finalizing the numbers.”
I nod, the unease in my gut growing. The wedding’s in two days, and there’s no way I’m letting the Vasilievs mess with the Morozovs—not on my watch.
