Page 79 of Unbroken

“How do we know this isn’t a setup? Or misinformation?”

“We don’t,” Rafail says. “Which is why we keep it business as usual. Until we know more.”

He blows out a breath, then shows me the message on his encrypted channel.

Sever the bloodline. The letters are crimson, bold.

“Sever the bloodline,” I echo.

Rafail nods. “They mean us. The Kopolov bloodline. That includes our children. Our wives. All of them are targets now.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “What the fuck, Rafail?”

“How many of them did you kill?” he asks, tone sharp.

I shake my head slowly.

“You don’t know… because you stopped counting.”

I check the Wi-Fi—encrypted and locked. GPS jammers inplace. Cameras. Patrols. Motion detectors. Nothing's getting through, not unless we let it.

Still.

“Nothing,” I say. “But I need to speak with Rafail. Privately.”

Matvei gets up and steps out of the office.

Rafail glances at me. “Something I need to know between you and Ruthie?”

I scowl. “You judging?”

“Of course fucking not,” he says. “You think I’d judge you? After everything? You think I’m a heartless bastard?”

I shrug.

He punches my arm, light but firm. “Don’t answer that.”

Then he softens. “Seriously though, Vadka. What’s going on between you two?”

He has a right to know. He’s my brother in every way that counts.

So I tell him. Not everything, but enough.

“I love her,” I say. Quietly. Like the words might shatter if I speak them too loud.

“I feel so fucking guilty.”

He leans forward, hands steepled beneath his chin, studying me.

“That’s why most people avoid falling in love, Vadka. Itmakes you vulnerable. I can kill a man, but I can’t kill the ache that comes with losing someone who matters.”

“I know.”

“What’s the problem, then?”

“She’s my wife’s sister.”

Rafail nods slowly. Then leans in, his voice deliberate.

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