Page 116 of Little Deer
Tatiana turns, bringing her gun up and sending the tranquillizer flying straight into his throat. He gasps, before falling to his knees, eyes already growing heavy. “Put him in the trunk,” Tatiana orders the two guards, who quickly comply.
Fuck, even they look terrified of her. Who the fuck is this woman?
When Tatiana looks back at us, her expression is cold. “I fucking hate New York, and I am so fucking pissed to be here in the first place.” She turns her head and pins a look at Rori, who stiffens. “The very place you were told never to come.”
“My best friend was here,” Rori answers tightly. “She was in danger.”
“And now, they’ve all seen my face and know my identity,” Tatiana continues sharply.
“You didn’t have to come,” Rori reminds her stiffly. “I told you about it to warn you about where things stood. We could have handled it, and they would never have had to know you exist.”
“Perhaps,” Tatiana agrees, a small concession, but none of us relax. “But, they are not the reason I’m here, are they?” Her gaze is pointed, making Rori lower her eyes.
“Someone needs to start fucking explaining,” Alonzo bites out through gritted teeth. “And I want to know why the fuck Hades hasn’t gone for your throat yet.”
“Because that would be a very stupid thing to do,” Tatiana replies mildly. “Wouldn’t it, Ms. O’Brien?”
Rori doesn’t answer that. She looks back at Alonzo, regret on her face. “I’m sorry,” she rasps. Alonzo’s expression shifts to one of confusion, possibly dread.
Yeah, the rest of us are thinking the same fucking thing, man. This is a super fucked up situation.
“Would someone start talking and not acting so fucking cryptic?” Nico demands sharply.
Suddenly, Sienna pushes around Alessio, stepping in front of him and staring at Rori. “Sienna,” Alessio barks, reaching for her, but she yanks her arm away from him and just stares at Rori.
Rori looks at her, pain all over her expression. “I’m sorry, Sienna,” she whispers.
“Until I know what you’re sorry for, I’m not accepting your apology, bitch,” Sienna states simply. Then she looks at Tatiana. “Did you know about us?”
Tatiana cocks her head. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you contact us?”
“Why would I mess up your lives? You were doing fine. You had parents who loved you. I kept tabs on you. Well, other than sending through that package to you about that fucker you were dating at the time. He was a sleazeball. Thankfully, you’ve done better at picking a man this time.” She smirks at Alessio. Not that he returns it. He just stares at her, waiting, gun at the ready.
“You knew about Lucy too?” I ask carefully.
Those cold eyes turn to me. “I did.” Then she gives a sly smile. “And you can thank me for sending her your way too. I got her ex out of the way for you. You’re welcome.”
Lucy gasps, even as I narrow my eyes. Lucy shoves forward, her face a mask of horror, even as I pull her back sharply against my front. “Joey died in a workplace accident.”
“He died because he planned on ditching you and your son, while also being part of a sex trafficking ring,” Tatiana corrects. She drops the bomb so casually that at first I’m not sure I heard her correctly. “The company he was working for? They were part of the Irish’s portfolio, and he was dipping his toes in thewaters to try and be noticed by them. They had him working in the clubs, pulling out women who were far too easy a target and sending them through the pipeline here. The very pipeline the rest of you had no idea about until now,” she adds with a pointed look at Nico and Dante.
“No, Joey was a jerk, but he’d never do that,” Lucy protests.
Tatiana narrows her eyes slightly, and I grip the gun tighter. Calling an assassin a liar is not a smart move. Fuck, this is a fucking mess.
Finally, she says, “If you’d like the proof I’ll send it to you.”
Lucy’s throat bobs as she swallows. “But it was a workplace accident,” she whispers. Clearly still unable to believe it.
“Most will make anything look like an accident with enough money,” Tatiana shrugs. “I didn’t know you were pregnant, otherwise I’d have done it sooner, or possibly later.” She looks at Soren and then back at Lucy. “He might be your son’s sperm donor, but he is not his father. Your new man is. Don’t fuck that up. I’ve looked into him, and other than some mild annoyances, he’ll do.”
I glare at her, but she ignores me.
“So you knew about Amara?” Lazaro hisses. “You knew what your sister suffered and did nothing?”
There’s a flash of regret on her face. “I was too late to find her. By the time I did, the trial was finished, and she went off the grid for a bit. Amara, come out, please.”
