Chapter 29

RAFAIL

I’ll never, as long as I live, forget the look of betrayal on my wife’s face.

No.

Not my wife.

The truth hits me as hard as it did the day I found out my parents died. She was never mine.

I’ve fallen in love with a woman I have no claim to.

The Romanov brothers might kill me still, and I half wonder if I wouldn’t welcome death, but I said what I meant: I will fight. I will fight for her.

I get a call from Popov. I look to Mikhail, and he gives me permission with a stern nod. I defer to no one, but in this moment, it feels right to allow him permission to call his shots. Hell, if one of them had kidnapped one of my sisters, I know exactly what I’d do.

“Yes.”

“We have Soloto’s associates in our sights.”

I fill him in as quickly as I can before one of Anissa—no, Polina’s brothers interjects. “Popov. Nikko Romanov here. We met six months ago. Your uncle knows my wife.”

I have no idea what the connection is, but the fact that Popov and the Romanovs aren’t rivals will prove to be useful.

Polina stares at me as words are exchanged, plans are made, and Popov promises to give us updates as they close in on Soloto’s men. Popov’s men pour into the street and surround us. They’re young, strapping men he’s recruited from the Armed Forces, a tactic he’s well known for. In a few short words, I introduce them to the Romanovs. We don’t need any more bloodshed.

“We must ensure the rest of my family is safe,” I tell Mikhail and Popov. I quickly explain the situation.

“Go,” he says with a nod. “Polina comes with us.”

Polina’s jaw drops open, and she stares, half-torn between allegiance to her family and mine, when little Zoya speaks up, her timid voice clear as day. “Only if I go with her.”

“Zoya—”

She holds up a hand to me. “No, Rafail. I’m going with her.” Bright blue eyes meet mine. “I have to.”

One of the Popov men stares in open admiration. Zoya notices and flushes as bright as an apple. I narrow my eyes at him, and he looks away.

Jesus. She isn’t a kid anymore. When did that happen? I want to lift her in my arms and squeeze her tight, my brave little sister. I want to shake her and give her a stern talking-to for putting herself in danger.

“Agreed,” Polina says, holding her chin up high.

Christ.

“And me,” Yana says, pushing herself to stand. She shakes her head. “Not sure any of you have noticed, but there’s a severe shortage of women in these families.” With a sound of disgust, she rolls her eyes. “And we need to stick together.”

Popov has the nerve to chuckle on the phone. “Go. Get your family out of there.”

“We’ll talk about reparations and what I owe you.”

Popov clears his throat. “Oh, we will.”

Polina’s brother Nikko smirks as a car pulls up to the curb.

“This is ours, sir,” one of Popov’s men explains. “This way, please.”

“Semyon, Rodion, you come with me to evacuate the others.” I turn to Mikhail Romanov. “Is your mother here in Moscow?”

“Yes. I’ll have her brought to your home.”

“You know where it is?”

Mikhail’s lips hint at smiling. “Kopolov, within the past twenty-four hours, you’ve become my most intimate acquaintance.”

Jesus. Of course. I’d expect nothing less.

The evacuation is seamless. Irma bitches and moans and, thankfully, doesn’t know about her son’s betrayal and the brutal punishment that awaits him. I take Matvei aside. I feel for the man. “I’m sorry,” I tell him. “But you know what has to happen.”

Matvei’s eyes blaze into mine. “My allegiance is with you. His betrayal cuts deeper than death. All I ask is that it not be me who carries out the execution.”

I nod. “Keep your mother under control, and I’ll grant you that.”

I fill Grandfather in briefly. When I’m done, he puts a heavy hand on my shoulder. “You’ve done well, son. Keep forging forward. You know what has to happen.” His voice doesn’t waver. “You know what you want. Call Vadka and bring him in.”

Grandfather knows that while I’ve held the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, my best friend has been my rock. I swallow and nod. I’m ready for all of this to be over.

I text Vadka.

Need you back at the house. I’ll fill you in before you get there.

His response comes swiftly

See you soon, brother.

When my family’s been evacuated, everyone on the way back to the house, I get into the car Popov provides, Semyon and Rodion with me.

Rodion fumes and rages the entire way. I let him. It’s almost cathartic.

“Of all the fucking ways to betray us. Jesus, Rafail, I hope to god you let me take a turn.”

I lean back in my seat and blow out a breath. “Yeah. We all will.”

“How long has he been working with Soloto? Do we have any idea?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

I should be more concerned with the betrayal. I should be planning Gleb’s execution and how I’ll make an example of him to every other man of the Kopolov Bratva who’s pledged allegiance to my family. But all I can think about is… Polina. She isn’t technically mine, and I know that. But I’ve fallen deeply, madly in love with the woman, and I meant what I said. I’ll fight the Romanovs if I have to. I’ll fight them to the death.

It isn’t just about control anymore. My need for her transcends that.

“I lied to her,” I tell Semyon, shaking my head. “I had her believe we’d been married.”

“And it was the only lie you told her.” He stares at me, his eyes hard. “You did what you thought was right. You believed her to be someone else, someone who betrayed your family and threatened our safety. You did believe she belonged to you, by all intents and purposes, Rafail.”

I nod and blow out a breath. I did, I know, but will she see it that way?

“I’d have done the same,” Rodion says. “You know I would. Take her as mine. Teach her who’s the man of the house. Tied her to my bed and?—”

“ Enough. ”

Rodion’s eyes dance as he shuts up. He still means every word.

Good. I raised him right.

“What’s your plan?” Semyon asks as we pull up to the house.

I blow out a breath and straighten my shoulders. “Tell the truth. Be as transparent as I possibly can. Fight to work with the Romanovs so we can forge a partnership that benefits us both.” I lower my voice. “But I meant what I said about not letting her go without a fight.”

Semyon straightens. “Damn right.”

Rodion pats his holster. “We fight with you.”

A car pulls up as we do, and in short time, a regal but older woman with silver hair pinned in a bun, dressed in slim-fitting jeans and a pale-pink sweater, exits the car.

It’s the woman I saw the first time I laid eyes on Polina.

I extend my hand to her. “Rafail Kopolov. Welcome to my home, Mrs. Romanova.”

She takes my hand and shakes it firmly. “Ekaterina Romanova.” She sighs, and her eyes grow sad. “I believe I owe you all an explanation.”