Chapter 18 - Roman

My phone has been blowing up since I rolled out of bed, leaving the warmth of my wife nestled under the covers to head out for work for the day. I wanted to stay with her, but Luka was returning soon, and I had yet to begin taking care of the casino the way I envisioned I would.

My phone blares with a constant stream of notifications. Victor is relaying every single piece of information the Vultures are sending his way, and I roll my eyes as he quotes their messages of empty threats; they’re all bark and no bite. Attacking the Milovs is the last thing they want to do. They know it, and I know it.

Besides, they already fucked up once when they kidnapped Riley, crossing us and then being stupid enough to try to blackmail us into taking a shitty deal.

Boris arrives, and I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and annoyance. His imposing figure fills the doorway, his usual stern expression softened by something more vulnerable.

“I heard you’ve been handling things,” he says, stepping inside.

I nod, gesturing for him to take a seat. “Yeah, just keeping the peace.”

To my surprise, he leans back, a hint of pride glimmering in his eyes. “I’m proud of you, Roman. You’ve done well to handle this on your own.”

His words hit harder than I expected. I’ve always felt the weight of my family's expectations, and while I knew I could do it, hearing it from him feels validating. “Thanks, Boris. It’s been a hell of a ride, but I didn’t have much of a choice.”

He nods, understanding etched across his face. “You proved it to yourself. That’s what matters.”

We settle into a heart-to-heart conversation that had been rare between us before Fiona came into his life. He opens up about how she’s changed him, softening his edges.

“Do you think I’ve become too soft?” he asks, chuckling slightly.

I shake my head. “No, man. You’re still the same ruthless guy I know. Just… more human.”

He smirked, his expression turning serious as he leaned in. “And how’s Gwen? She handled everything okay?”

The mention of her name sends a wave of warmth through me, but there’s also an edge of worry. “She’s adjusting. I think having Riley back will help, but I’m still worried about her. This life—it’s not easy.”

Boris nods thoughtfully. “You’re right. But you just need to be there for her, Roman. Navigate her closely every step of the way. Women like that—strong and loyal—need to know they’re valued. Don’t forget to show her you care.”

“Yeah, I know,” I reply, running a hand through my hair. “I just don’t want to overwhelm her.”

“Just be honest. If she feels your love, it’ll go a long way,” he advises, a rare softness in his tone.

I’m about to respond when my phone buzzes again, the vibration jolting me out of the moment. I glance at the screen, and my stomach drops. It’s my guards.

“Damn it,” I mutter, swiping to answer. “What’s going on?”

“Roman, we’ve got a situation. Your wife and her friend are nowhere to be seen. We checked the cameras—they snuck out.”

“What? Why would she ever do that?” Panic rises in my throat, then anger quickly takes over. “How the fuck did you guys let them out of her sight? You’re supposed to keep a close eye on them!”

“Sir, we don’t know. We’re trying to track their last known location.”

I hang up, my heart pounding. What the hell was she thinking? I immediately call Gwen, but it goes straight to voicemail. My chest tightens with anxiety, and I try again, but still no answer.

“Boris,” I snap, urgency creeping into my voice. “Call Anya. Ask if she knows anything.”

He nods, grabbing his phone as I continue calling Gwen, growing more frantic with each unanswered ring.

“Nothing yet,” he says after a few moments. “But we’ll figure this out.”

Just as I’m about to call again, my phone buzzes with a new message. I glance down, my heart plummeting at the sight of the sender.

It’s from the Vultures.

The image loads, and I feel the air leave my lungs. It’s a photo of Gwen tied up, a look of fear in her eyes.

“Fuck!” I roar, rage boiling over as the reality of the situation crashes down on me.

“Roman?” Boris asks, concern etched across his face.

I can barely breathe now, my mind racing with thoughts of what I need to do next. Anger seizes every inch of my frame, threatening to burst at any moment. But I need to keep a clear head. I have to. I must . If not for myself, for her.

I turn to face Boris. “They have her. I need to get her back.”

The color drains from Boris’ face temporarily before his tough mask returns. “Let’s plan this out. We need to act fast.”

“Fast isn’t enough,” I snarl, fists clenching at my sides. “They’re going to pay for this.”

I clench my jaw, adrenaline surging through me.

They’ve made a grave mistake.

I refuse to lose Gwen, not after everything we’ve fought for.