Page 63 of Brutal Mercy

When I see Rurik walking toward us, I give her a hug and whisper. “And if he so much as lays a finger on you in anger or causes you pain of any kind, I will end him.”

Athena hugs me back.

I release her and study my new brother-in-law, taking in his measure. He’s brutal, mercenary, and the strongest protection for my sister I could envision.

“Take care of her.” I offer my hand.

He shakes mine, understanding passing between us. “I’ll protect her with my life.”

Rurik and I have a wordless conversation. He knows if anything happens to Athena, it’ll be war between our families. And both of us would rather avoid it. It’s bad for business.

“See that you do.”

I wait until all the Russians and Father Rosario have left before I turn to Ares. “I need to take Luna up to our room. I’ll meet you in the shed.”

“Good. I’ll head down and check on things.”

When I reach Luna’s side, she smiles up at me with a glass of champagne. “Before we got married, I never had champagne, you know.”

“I didn’t. What do you think?” I ask as I lift her into my arms.

“That it’s my new favorite drink.” She laughs, and its musical sound arrows straight into my heart.

“I’ll be sure to keep it stocked.” On the trek upstairs, she rests her head against my chest. Inside, I help her change, purely because I want to, not because she needs me to do it. I simply enjoy helping her, touching her, and being with her.

Once she is in leggings and a chunky sweater, I inform her, “Gabriella will be here shortly to help you pack. And then you might want to take a nap because once we reach the house in Denver, I won’t be letting you sleep.”

“Promise?”

“I do.” I kiss her briefly before exiting the bedroom.

By the time I exit the house and am on the way toward the shed, I’m all business. There’s no room for softness or second-guessing. When I head in there, I go into a different headspace, one that doesn’t blink or recoil while I torture them to get the information I seek.

And this motherfucker knows all of Diego Alvarez’s secrets. By the time I’m finished with him, there will be nothing left.

Chapter sixteen

Hades

Iwipebloodoffmy fingers. Jose Vasquez’s lifeless body hangs from chains bolted to the ceiling. Diego should really pick a better second. Because the man squealed like a fucking pig. They all do at the end.

“Make sure you clean this mess up,” I instruct Ares.

“Usual manner?”

“Yep. And Lyla’s whereabouts stay between us. We can’t risk anyone else discovering we know where she’s being held in the fortress, or they could move her, and then we’re screwed.”

“You want me to go in and grab her? I can get it all arranged.”

“Start putting the preparations in place for the rescue. But don’t make a move yet. Let’s wait and see how Alvarez reacts. If they’re not at the drop-off location this afternoon at Luna’s store, then we’ll have you go in and get her.”

“You think he’ll hand her over?”

“Nope. And then we have just cause to go to war. I’m taking Luna to Denver for a few days. Call me if anything changes. We can take the helicopter and be back here fast if needed.”

“Will do,” he says as I leave the room and head into the shower.

When I reach our bedroom, Luna looks up from her seat on the couch. And my shoulders relax. I hadn’t realized until this precise moment that she has such a calming presence on me.

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