Chapter 113

“How far has it spread?” I ask.

“Fedor isn’t keeping it quiet,” Seamus says, ushering me inside. “This is a big victory for him.”

“I assume you know Molly and I aren’t really married.”

He nods, his mouth twisting to the side. “I know, but I don’t care. Do you really love her?”

“With all my heart.”

He shrugs. “Then that’s all I need to know. You did what you did to protect her, and I understand that. I’d do anything to protect Niamh.”

I lean back against the wall in their entryway. “You are more understanding than my men. Most of them deserted me because of the swearing-in ceremony. I polluted a Bratva ritual.”

Seamus snorts. “Bullshit. Those cowards were looking for an excuse to escape a sinking ship and they found one. Forgive me for being so blunt, but I think you’re aware that your Bratva is in a precarious position.”

“Too aware,” I groan. “But if you help me now, the newly solidified Bratva I form on the other side of this shit storm will be an ally of the Irish for life. No questions asked.”

Seamus extends his hand, and we shake. “I’m on your side now and always, friend.”

We are barely into the sitting room before Niamh lunges from the couch and throws herself at us, desperate for information. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and her nose is. It is the least put together I’ve ever seen her.

“Do you have any word yet?” she asks, sniffling.

I share an overview of the conversation I had with Fedor. “Beyond that, I have nothing. No idea at all where he could be or where he is holding her.”

Niamh worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “Where is Theo? How is he? He can come here if you’d like.”

“He’s at home with a nanny and a few guards.”

“Is the house really safe for him?” Seamus asks. “We have top-of-the-line security here. He is more than welcome to stay here until everything blows over.”

I hadn’t realized how worried I still was about Theo until that offer presented itself. Immediately, I call George and tell him to bring Theo over.

“George is welcome to stay with Theo while he is here,” Niamh says. “Our home is your home for as long as you need it.”

She offers her hand, and I grab it, holding it tightly, silently thanking her for her friendship to both me and Molly.

Seamus interrupts us by wrapping his arm around Niamh and pulling her into his side. “Viktor and I have to go to the office and then I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”

The two of them share a private moment, no doubt planning for the devastation Fedor could wreak if he wins this war, and then they part with a kiss.

When Seamus and I leave, Niamh is wearing a fake smile and pulling out paper and snacks in preparation for Theo’s arrival.

I HAVEN’T EATEN anything since dinner the night before, so Seamus buys a drive-thru breakfast sandwich for me on our way to his office. I finish it just as we pull into the lot.

“So, you trust Petr?” he asks as he parks the car.

I nod. “The only thing he seems to be guilty of is sleeping with the enemy, and I can’t execute him for that. Honestly, I can’t afford to. I’m pretty short on loyal men these days, and Petr is close with the men. If anyone can convince my men to return, it will be Petr.”

“Do you think he’ll work for you again after you kidnapped him?”

I roll my neck on my shoulders, stretching out my tense muscles. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Petr was chained to a chair in the basement of the building the last time I saw him, but Seamus had him moved upstairs to a “cell.”

I imagined it would be a cement room with a thin mattress and a toilet, but from what I can see through the window in the door, it is actually a smaller version of a hotel room.

There is a twin-sized bed with three pillows, a small table with a half-eaten sandwich on it, and a chair with a shelf of at least twenty books behind it.

Petr is lying across the bed with a book open on his chest. He must have been sleeping because when I knock on the door, he starts, dropping the book on the floor, and jumps to his feet. He smooths down his hair and then stills when he sees me.

“Can I come in?” I have the key to the door and it only opens from the outside, but I still want to ask. I want Petr to know his opinion matters. I want him to know this isn’t an interrogation.

He nods, and I walk inside. I leave the door halfway open behind me so he knows he can leave at any time.

“Nice place you got here.”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. His face is blotchy with a purple bruise on his cheek and a green-tinged one near his eye, but otherwise, he looks in good health. “It isn’t bad. I’m ready to get out, though.”

“The door is open.”

He looks up at me, eyebrow raised. “You believe me?”

“Your story was verified by some … pictures on your phone.”

He grimaces. “I hoped I wouldn’t have to show you those.”

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t have a choice. I had to know for sure.”

Petr holds up a hand. “I know. I was a fucking idiot. Lying to you about anything made all of my moves look suspect. I know that, and I’m not mad.” He rubs a hand over his sore cheek. “Well, I’m a little mad. My face hurts like hell.”

“It looks like hell, too.”

His mouth pulls into a half smile, and for the first time in hours, I allow myself to breathe.

Since I opened my eyes this morning, everything has gone to shit. It has been nothing but bad news. Finally, something has gone right. I have my consiglieri back.

Petr shifts into business mode quickly. His smile slips, and he folds his hands behind his back, shoulders back and broad. “I’ve heard the guards talking about Molly. What’s going on?”

I fill him in as quickly as I can, trying to keep my composure. Rehashing the details of Hannah’s betrayal and my distraction makes me feel like a bigger idiot each time. I should have noticed something. If I’d been paying closer attention, this never would have happened.

“I should have been there to help you,” Petr says, running a hand down his neck. “You wouldn’t have been under so much pressure if I’d been there to pick up some of the slack. I’m sorry, Vik. I really am.”

I wave his apology away. “We can hash it out another time. Right now, I need to know that we can move forward and work together.”

Petr steps forward and holds out a hand. I grasp his, and he pulls me in for a quick hug, patting me

once on the back. “We’re good. Brothers for life, okay?”

I swallow down an uncharacteristic swell of emotion and nod in agreement. “Brothers for life.”

“Then let’s get to work.” Petr lets go of my hand and bends down to grab the book he dropped on the floor when I knocked. He tucks it into his front pocket and strolls out of the room, tipping his head to the guard as he saunters past.

PETR IS EVEN MORE of a miracle worker than I thought. While my connection with the men in the Bratva has been growing more and more tenuous, his has been strengthening. None of them will take my calls, but they answer Petr’s calls on the first ring. They don’t want to hear talk of coming back to help the Bratva when it is my idea, but as soon as Petr suggests it, they are open to discussing it.