Page 81 of Dark Alliance
Outside my room, I pass an enforcer I’ve never met before. I don’t need to hear him speak to know he’s Russian. All of Belinski’s enforcers seem to have a certain kind of scowl built into their DNA.
My skin prickles all the way down the grand staircase as I make my way into the kitchen.
Nino holds a coffee in one hand and his phone in the other as he leans against the granite counter. He’s still in his clothesfrom the gala. No jacket, just the button-down and dress slacks. If he hasn’t changed, then he hasn’t slept.
“Can I fix you something to eat?”
“Marlene already asked me. I’m good.” He finishes his coffee and pours himself another.
I grab a mug and pour myself a cup too. “How are you?” I touch his hand.
A mistake.
He recoils, grimacing. “How do you think I am?”
I try not to flinch from his tone. “Me too.” I clutch my coffee with both hands to keep from reaching out again and blow on the steaming liquid. “Do you think?—”
“Oleg and some of his men are going to be living here until we solve this crime.”
I nearly drop my mug. “What? Nino, why?—”
“Don’t start with me, Cat.” He slams his mug down, the ceramic clattering on the countertop. “Connor Gallagher killed our father, stole the Bonasera diamond, and now he’s escaped!” He crowds me in his efforts to grab a nearly empty bottle of vodka.
He reeks of B.O. I hold my breath to keep from retching. I want to ask if he’s sure it was Connor, but I’d give myself away, and I don’t want a replay of my slip at the gala.
What I still don’t understand is why my brother keeps insisting that Connor’s the killer. Yes, Connor’s guilty of theft, but he’s an easy scapegoat. Nino should know better.
As he takes a swig straight from the bottle, I remind myself that he hasn’t slept or eaten and rarely drinks. He’s not thinking clearly, so I need to give him grace.
He lost his only remaining parent too. I’ve always been his big sister, a second mother, and now, I can’t even hug him.
If I can’t comfort my little brother, the only immediate family I have left in the world, who am I? How will we survive this if not together?
With emotions running high, we shouldn’t be making rash decisions. But I can’t tell him to slow down and reconsider inviting the Russians into our home.
He’s upset and lashing out, and now’s not the time to question his leadership.
I know this is all connected. Blaming Connor and bringing in the Russians feels too easy, too clean.
I’m just failing to comprehend the endgame. And Belinski isn’t here to help solve any kind of crime. He’s here to burn bridges beside my brother, who’s become a Roguilin pawn.
Not knowing how to console or control Nino, I decide I can at least be useful somewhere else in the house. “I’m going to help Marlene with the funeral preparations.” I struggle to smile as I head toward the door. “And then I’ll call Father’s lawyer, so he can set up…a meeting.”
“The executor of his will is MIA. if that’s where you’re going with this. And so is the amended will. So that shit’s on hold.” Nino scoffs while pouring two shots’ worth of vodka into his coffee.
Is that what the phone call in the middle of the night was all about?
I sip my own coffee. “Well, hopefully it turns up soon, but until then, we’ll just go on as we always have. Right?”
Nino grunts. “If you go anywhere today, one of Oleg’s guys can drive you.”
I frown. “I have my own car. And Danny.”
“This is war, Cat. You understand me? You shouldn’t be taking any chances.”
I nod before excusing myself, dread weighing in my gut like an anchor.
After that tense exchange, I try to lose myself in some work, but focusing proves difficult.
