Page 178 of Vicious Games

“Do not toy with me, young Romano. His wife, Mina, is the boss of the Firm. We all know where his loyalties truly lie…and it isn’t to the Outfit.”

Well. Shit.

He’s got me there.

“Mina Crane and her cousins have cost me many nights of restless sleep. So yes, it looks…what’s the word…ah yes, suspicious for me to entertain you under my roof while they remain my enemies.”

“So what exactly are you saying here?”

“I’m saying… it’s time for you to go home.”

I let out a relieved exhale.

“Shit, that’s it? Book us a flight and we’re gone.” I chuckle.

“Actually, Lucky…” Frankie says softly, “I’m… staying.”

“The-fuck-what now?” I cup a hand to my ear. “You wanna run that by me again, babe?”

“You heard her. Kira’s staying. This is her home,” Aleksandr pipes up.

“Uncle Sasha,” Frankie says warningly. “Please.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I shoot to my feet. “You’re calling that ugly bastard Uncle now?”

“That’s what I am, pissant,” Aleksandr scowls.

“Oh, you wanna go, old man?” I growl, rolling up my sleeves.

“Lucky!” Frankie pleads.

“Sasha,” Misha warns.

“He started it,” I mumble.

“The pissant needs to learn some manners,” Aleksandr huffs.

“Both of you—quit it!” Frankie orders, sounding utterly exhausted. “Uncle Misha, can I speak to Lucky alone for a moment?”

“Of course,plemyannitsa.” Mikhail rises and nods to Aleksandr, who throws me an ugly glare but obeys hisPakhan’s orders, nonetheless.

Before Mikhail leaves the room, he pauses just inches from me and places a firm hand on my shoulder.

“This is not personal, Luciano. You’ve shown courage, loyalty in protecting my niece the way you have, even at your own risk. I won’t soon forget that.” He gives my shoulder what feels like an apologetic squeeze and then walks out.

Once the door clicks shut behind him, I round over to Frankie.

“You seriously want to stay here? With them?!”

“You say that like I’m making the worst decision of my life,” she scoffs.

“Because you are! Frankie, you don’t even speak Russian!”

“Then I’ll learn,” she snaps back.

“She’ll learn, she says!” I throw my hands in the air and start pacing the Persian rug, practically wearing a hole in it.

“Can you please calm down so we can talk like adults?”

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