Page 128 of The Bratva Sinner

“What about the other option?” Cinder asks.

“No.”

“What option?” Lila speaks up for the first time.

“Leave,” Cinder replies.

Lila looks at me. “What? Me? You want me to leave?”

“No.” I shoot Cinder a dirty look.

“Not just you,” Cinder qualifies. “Both of you.”

“That’s not the plan,” I reply sternly.

Lila looks at me. “Was it a plan?”

“I considered it, but not now. I’m not running.”

I can’t read her expression. Does that make her happy or sad? Does she want to run?

“Good. I’m so sick of running from these assholes.”

I catch Cinder’s expression. Pride. She was testing her, and Lila passed.

I look around the table. “Questions?”

One of the assistant managers from Obsidian clears his throat. “We’re sitting ducks. They won’t come after you, but me and the bartenders and the people that work in your clubs. They won’t come here. They’ll hit where you’re exposed. Us. We’re exposed.”

“We’ll increase security.”

He doesn’t like it. “An AK doesn’t give a shit about how many security guards are standing at a door.”

“If you don’t like it, there is no shame in leaving. I’ll give you a good recommendation. I’m not asking anyone to stay if they don’t want to.”

Lila listens as I answer the questions.

When the meeting breaks up, she stays in her chair while people file out. Cinder is the last to leave the room. She makes eye contact with Lila. There’s a look, and then Cinder is gone.

“You did well,” I say.

“I didn’t do anything.”

“You sat here and listened, and you didn’t flinch at anything you heard. I appreciate it.”

“I want to understand it,” she says. “All of it. I’m not asking you to tell me every detail. I know there are things you keep close for reasons. But I want to understand your business.” She spreads her hands on the table. “I’m your wife. I’m in it, whether I understand it or not. I’d rather understand. I know you are part of a bigger picture. The family business.”

“Then we’ll talk,” I say. “Not tonight. Tomorrow. You and me.” I push back from the table. “Tonight, I have some things to take care of.”

She stands and leans down to kiss me. “Thank you for letting me sit in on your meeting.”

She leaves the room, and I sit there and process. This must be what Sergei feels. He's got a partner in business and in bed. Sergei has Sofia. I never understood why he changed everything for her. I do now.

I find Damien in my office an hour later. He’s on his laptop, but he closes it when I come in. He knows what this conversation is.

I pour two glasses of vodka and set one in front of him.

“If this goes wrong…” I begin.