Page 174 of Ripped Lace (Ripped Bratva)

“No, it means we have no choice but to meet fire with fire.”

“You’re starting to sound like Phoenix.”

“Well, apparently he’s rubbed off on me.”

I stare down Matvei until he stands up. He looks dead on his feet. I know he’s spent the last few days planning intensely, trying to figure out the best possible way to infiltrate the building and get Phoenix and the boys out. But he’s not moving fast enough for me.

“Matvei, I know why you’re being cautious. But you didn’t see what they’re going through. Yuri’s five years old and he wears a collar around his neck like some wild animal. Phoenix was stabbed when he was pulled off me. And Theo, my baby… I have no idea what they’re even doing to him.”

“I know,” he mutters. “I fucking know.”

“Please, Matvei,” I beg. “I’d much rather do this with you than without you.”

He nods slowly. “Okay. Fine. Fuck. But we need to figure out how to—”

“We go in with full force,” I interrupt, having formulated the plan the moment I’d woken up. “We’ll blow up the front of the building if we need to. While their men are dealing with ours, I’ll sneak into the back and locate the boys and Phoenix.”

Matvei frowns. “That’s the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. Phoenix really is rubbing off on you.”

“It’s the only plan that doesn’t involve waiting around. I’m not waiting anymore, Matvei. If you don’t help me, I’ll take my plan to the men. Those who agree with me can join and the rest are free to stay here and listen to your orders.”

Matvei raises his eyebrows. “You’d do that?”

“If you make me.”

For a second, I think he’s going to tear down my plan with logic and reason. But then he smiles.

“What are you smiling about?” I demand.

“Nothing,” he murmurs. “Just that…”

“Just that what?”

“Phoenix would be proud.”

That silences me for a moment. A giddy surge of pride rushes through me.

“You’re the one who inspired me,” I admit sheepishly.

“Me?”

“You said that if I want to be a part of Phoenix’s life, it means getting used to his world. It means being braver and stronger and more resilient. I’ve relied on other people my entire life. But that’s going to stop, starting now. I’m taking my life into my own hands. And the first thing I’m going to do is get my family back. I’d just rather not to do it alone. But I will if I have to.”

“Well, luckily, you don’t have to,” Matvei says. “I will—”

Before he can finish his thought, the phone rings. Matvei’s expression changes when he looks at the caller ID.

“What’s wrong?” I ask. “Who is it?”

“You’ll see,” he says, answering the call and putting it on speaker immediately.

Matvei says something in Russian. It sounds formal and respectful and makes me instantly nervous. Then he switches to English.

“You should know that I’m not alone, sir. Elyssa is with me, too.”

“Is she?” a deep voice responds. “Well, Elyssa, I wish we could have been introduced under different circumstances. But I suppose this will have to do.”

I glance at Matvei. “Who…?”

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