Instead, I told her we’ll have lunch, but that I need her to hide out a while since another Bratva group is on the premises.
She’s waiting for the Morozovs to leave, while I wait for the Sokolovs to arrive.
My hands feel cold. I know this is cruel; it’s theproofI’m trying to offer her. But I think of it as ripping off a Band-Aid. I tried telling her the whitewashed version, which she didn’t believe. Now, she’s the one asking questions.
If I don’t show her now, then she’ll never know.
It’s a painful truth that must come to light. Too much has happened in Arina’s life for her to walk around with blinkers on.
Just then, three men step onto the sidewalk, and I notice it’s her brothers. I quickly move two steps right to position myself near the entrance, turning my back to the glass so they don’t notice me as they enter. They’ll have to pass me to get to their table, and that’s when I’ll have them.
I remind myself one final time that I’m not here for revenge. I’m here for Arina, not war. I’m here to give her the truth she wants and deserves. No matter what happens, Ihaveto keep my cool.
The door opens, and they walk in. They take two steps when I rush forward and face them in their tracks.
“Tikhon,” I say, planting my hand on his chest, stopping him in his tracks. “I thought that was you.”
All three men freeze. Tikhon’s eyes narrow at the sight of me. I can see their fear as Andrei and Alexey look around the place, fearing this might be an ambush.
I know I have the upper hand here, and I smile. “This doesn’t have to get ugly. I just want to talk,” I gesture towards the quiet corner near the curtain, within earshot of Arina.
Tikhon pales as he silently exchanges glances with his brothers. Andrei nods, and Tikhon turns to face me with a grimace. “You alone?”
“In here, yes. But I’ve got back-up outside.” I level a warning glare.
“We have a meeting,” Andrei says, trying to move back.
“It can wait five minutes,” I say smoothly. “I just want to congratulate Tikhon on his new position. Word travels fast in our circle, and you’ve been difficult to get a hold of.”
I can feel Tikhon’s worry. This whole time, they’ve been in hiding from our alliance, and right about now, things can turn ugly real fast.
“You don’t want to cause a scene now, do you?” I hiss, knowing well that he understands. If he thinks talking to me is a risk, walking away is even a bigger one.
At last, he chooses to follow me to the corner. His brothers stand right beside him, not leaving his side.
“What do you want, Letvin?” Tikhon asks once we’re whereIwant us to be.
“I want to know where you’ve been, Tikhon,” I growl. “Hiding like fucking cowards.”
“We aren’t hiding,” Tikhon snaps back. “Especially not from you.”
I feel that same old fury roar through me. “You think we’ve forgotten? What you did to Lilibeth? To Nikandr. We nearly lost them both!” I clench my fists beside me.
Tikhon narrows his eyes. “Viktor was the one who did all that.”
I don’t believe that. Not one word. I know they were involved, too. Who the hell was helping Viktor all along? But I’m not here for my retribution.
“Whatever,” I say rather casually. “I’ve heard you’ve been expanding your territories. Building up from the ground. Taking over couldn’t have been easy.”
“We’re in three new territories now,” Alexei chimes in with a stupid, proud look on his face. I feel like punching his guts out, but I know I need to reel them in to make them talk.
So, I choose to praise. “Three territories expanded in what—two months? That’s impressive work.”
“The Sokolov family is stronger than ever,” Tikhon adds, forgetting to be cautious. “Viktor was weak, and he got sloppy, but we’re fixing his mistakes.”
“How so?” I ask.
Andrei shifts uncomfortably, but Tikhon just smiles coldly. “We’re showing people consequences for their disloyalty.”
