Page 61 of The Last Hope

Elif’s expression hardened as she sat up, slipping out of Grigori’s hands.

“I don’t know how Selina endured that man, Niko, but I was this close to pulling out my gun and putting a bullet in his head,” she growled.

I frowned as Sasha leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk.

“What do you mean you were ready to shoot him ? You let her attend a meeting with the Italians?!” Sasha barked at our brothers, and I couldn’t blame him.

“As if we had a choice—you know her,” Roman retorted, rolling his eyes as Grigori nodded, his dark gaze still locked on his wife.

“Oh, excuse me ! I’m right here, in case you forgot,” Elif said, elbowing Roman in the ribs and waving her hand dramatically over her head. “And stop looking at me like that unless you want to spend the night on the couch with your dear brother.”

Grigori immediately shifted his glare to us, lips pressed into a thin line, while Roman groaned, rubbing his side.

“Of course I had to see that monster with my own eyes and give him my best death glare,” Elif continued. “But I made it clear that we would never hand over Selina, Rafael, or Sienna—especially since that psycho seems to want to gut her.”

Sasha stiffened beside me, straightening up.

“She helped her sister and Rafael escape. No surprise he wants her,” I muttered, tapping my fingers against the desk.

“Still, those bastards were ready to offer us a significant stake in their Illinois operations just to get their hands on the Floros sisters and Rafael,” Grigori said.

Elif shot him a sharp glare over her shoulder.

“Whatever they offered, we refused,” she said firmly before turning back to me with a soft smile.

I nodded, silently thanking her. I knew that, despite his ruthless nature, Grigori would never have made a deal with the Italians.

“But I noticed something during the meeting,” Elif continued, her fingers tapping her chin as her mind raced like a quantum computer.

“What is it ?” I asked, intrigued.

“There’s a division within the Rasili family,” she said. “Antonio’s father doesn’t agree with his son. I think when Selina told us she wasn’t Antonio’s wife, she was telling the truth. I believe hisparents never approved a marriage. They’re probably looking for a suitable match that will strengthen their influence in theCosaNostra. To them, Selina was just a pastime for their son.”

A pastime. A toy to be broken.

I closed my eyes, struggling to keep my composure as a shadow of rage crept through me.

“These fuckers,” Roman muttered, his eyes darkening.

“You’re right,” Grigori added. “If Antonio weren’t around, his father would’ve only negotiated for Rafael.”

“He won’t get either of them,” I said, my voice cold but unwavering.

“Of course not,” Elif agreed.

“We need to prepare for possible attacks,” Grigori stated. “They know they’re under our protection now. I’ll reinforce security around the estate until—”

“That won’t be necessary,” I cut him off, gripping the armrests of my chair.

All eyes turned to me.

“We’ll bring them to you,” I said. “We’ll stay until Elif finds a safe place where they can live peacefully.”

“What the hell are you saying, Niko ?” Elif asked, confused. “I thought—”

“Grigori is right. For everyone’s safety, they have to go,” I replied, my throat tightening.

Grigori nodded, satisfied. “I knew you’d make the right decision for our family.”

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