Page 48 of Echoes of Sin

It was so fast that if I hadn’t been looking at Oleg, I would have missed it, but that flash of fear was real. He sat taller and his face reddened with fury. “That’s funny, because I am looking at a bitch I ordered you to kill days ago.” The look Oleg aimed at me was full of hatred.

“You made a mistake.”

Oleg bristled and shook his head. “That is not for you to determine.”

Ilya looked to me, his mouth in a flat, straight line. “In this case, it was. You were wrong, making an emotional decision guaranteed to bring the heat of the police down on the bratva in a multitude of ways. Do you realize her brother is a cop? He should be arriving here at any moment.”

“Involving the police in bratva business? Is this what America has done to you?” Oleg spat out.

“No, just informing a concerned brother, who happens to be an off duty law enforcement officer, that his sister might be in danger and in need of his assistance,” Ilya glared at his uncle then turned his gaze to Karina, Dmitri, and Lara on the sofa, taking in every detail before he gave Oleg his full attention once again. I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but something passed between Dmitri and Ilya, and I saw an almost imperceptible movement in Dmitri’s fingers. I don’t know if this was some sort of secret code between them. I hoped to god it was, and that they were somehow figuring how to get us out of this mess. I also hoped that what he said about Ryan coming was true and not bravado. Given my brother’s opinion on Ilya, I had a feeling he was bluffing.

Ilya addressed his uncle again, “Unless, of course, that was your intention, Uncle? To alert the police to our presence in town.”

Oleg blustered. “That is nonsense. I have no reason to want to do away with one of my highest earners. That is no way to do business.”

Even I could tell he was lying, which made me wonder about the tension underlying this not so happy, family reunion.

“Then you can understand why killing a woman, a smalltown single mother, is bad for business.” Ilya folded his arms, his face in a steely expression.

“Not when she threatens our business!” His eruption of anger didn’t seem to shock Ilya.

“She doesn’t. In fact, Brooke was looking out for me by letting me know that someone was stealing from my businesses. I would think that was something worth investigating, and as someone who gets a generous slice of my earnings, I am surprised you disagree.”

The two men stared at each other, so much being communicated between them without a word being said. It was an eerie feeling, observing the interaction between them. Despite Ilya’s use of the word uncle, there was no love lost between these men.

“It is not your job to question me. It is your job to do as I say, and I am telling you that this bitch is a threat to our business, our very fucking existence. Be a good boy and get rid of her. Or would you prefer I get Igor to do what you clearly can’t.”

My heart started at a gallop, and instinctively I struggled as the strong grip that held me tightened. “No!” My eyes were wide and wild as I looked around the room and my gaze landed on Karina, whose wide blue eyes held an entire world of fear. Calm down. You have to be calm, Brooke. No matter how scared I was—and I was fucking terrified—I couldn’t freak her out. I wouldn’t let this situation traumatize her even further.

“Mommy!”

I tried for a smile I didn’t feel and looked at my sweet little girl. “It’s all right, Karina, I’m fine. Do Mommy a favor and go to your room.”

“No,” Oleg roared. “Everyone stays here where I can see them.”

“She doesn’t need to be here for this. She doesn’t need to see any of this. Surely, you’re not such a monster that you want her to witness this.” My chest heaved with fear that maybe Oleg was exactly that type of monster.

But why?

The answer came immediately. He wants to hurt Ilya.

“Do it. Now.”

“I won’t,” Ilya insisted in a cool voice, the only hint of his anger was the tightness around his eyes.

“You will,” Oleg insisted. “You will kill her now or Igor will kill her and then your daughter, once that is done then I’ll finish you off like I did your father.” Oleg laughed. “Not so powerful now with your dog muzzled, are you?” He laughed in Dmitri’s direction.

Ilya’s lips tugged into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I handled your men on the perimeter with no trouble at all, Uncle, though I’m sure Dmitri would’ve been far more efficient.”

“Even so, you are outnumbered and outgunned. A woman, a child, and a neutered dog.” He laughed. “Prepare to die.”

Ilya’s fingers twitched and I braced myself for whatever came next.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ilya

“No one has to die, Oleg.” My hands bunched into fists and flexed out wide as my anger grew. This situation was spiraling out of control and the bad feeling deep in my gut bubbled to the surface. I wanted to kill him, I wanted this to be a bloodbath, but two things were stopping me. I couldn’t let my daughter see this, and also this was America—while my business often involved violence and retribution, Having Brooke’s friend be a witness was not ideal, nor her brother, who, if everything went to plan, should be arriving here at any moment. I had been in two minds whether to get him involved, me and law enforcement are not natural allies, but perhaps, after this he will see that I can protect his sister and niece.

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