Chapter 8

WILLA

I’m so stupid.

Of course, he still hates me. Well, he will loathe me if he finds out I’ve been keeping a three-year-old secret from him.

I never got the chance to apologize to him for what I did. And he was right. If he wanted me dead, I could be dead. But he wants to watch me suffer, and I know his kind; he doesn’t take betrayal lightly, and he definitely holds grudges.

One of these days, I’d be paying the consequences of my actions, if I haven’t already done so. The anger and pain in his eyes are too deep to fade— and too late to ask for forgiveness.

But what hurts me the most is finding out he’s getting married.

It’s easy for him to move on because he’s not only charming and attractive for the mafia, he’s also filthy rich and powerful, and women would fall on their feet to marry him.

I just make it to the elevator. The door slides open, and the blonde woman, his fiancée, is inside.

She must have recognized me. I see the look in her eyes as she looks at me. She must be mocking me in her head right now.

I don’t know what to say. Should I say hi? It’s awkward, but at least they had sex when Ilya and I were over. So, he didn’t cheat on me, unlike my ex, who didn’t just cheat on me. He also got physical.

With Ilya, I’m the one who left and walked away, and we’re over.

Instead, I take off the necklace around my neck, take her hand, and place the ring on her palm. “Give this to your fiancé.”

Surprisingly, she looks confused.

“He’ll know it.” I walk away from her and use the stairs instead, even if my whole body is screaming for rest.

I call my brother as soon as I get back into the room.

“Hey.”

“You could hire the best men in the country, but why did you pay Ilya to handle my security, Gabe? What’s your motive? He’s your mortal enemy, yet you trust him more than your own men? I want the truth, please.”

“I didn’t pay him. He didn’t want to take a cent from me. He paid everything. Who told you that?”

“Him. He said he’s just doing the job.” I shrug as I sit on the bed. “Not the exact words, but why would he lie to me?”

“He still cares about you, sis, but he’s hurting.”

“Liar.” I roll my eyes. “He doesn’t care. He hates me. You should have seen the look in his eyes. He didn’t even come to visit me after you left, Gabe. Not that I’m expecting him to do that. Of all the places, why did you bring me here? Why do you trust him so much when you hate him at the same time? I don’t understand.”

“You two need closure?”

“Closure?” I snort. “If I didn’t almost die, you wouldn’t have thought of that. It’s been three years, Gabe. You’re not helping. You only opened old wounds for both of us. It’s unfair to Ilya. I’ve hurt him so much already. He’s been through a lot. Have you forgotten what we did to him?”

“I’m aware, Willa.” His voice drops.

“So, me being here is for me to repent and redeem myself. Is that it? He just lost his father, and he’s here playing cowboy when he should be in Russia running his business.”

“He’s still running it, but he starts doing what Siciliano did, legitimizing all his businesses. And he doesn’t hate you. I don’t hate him either. I just didn’t approve of him for you because he used you to get to me, Willa. I already told you that. I don’t like what he did. I hope he realized what betrayal felt like firsthand.”

“I told you I have nothing to do with your beef with one another. I accepted the fact that he’s dangerous. He didn’t keep who he was to me. If he’s not good for me, yet here I am. This is what I don’t get, Gabe. Am I just a pawn for your games?”

“No, sis. You’re not a pawn.”

“Then why? Are you using him? What exactly do you want from Ilya, Gabe? I need to know. I don’t want to be in the dark here while you’re playing dangerous games. This is my life. Stop playing with us!”

“Sis.” He breathes noisily. “I would never put you in danger.”

Wiping the tears, I roll my eyes, even if he can’t see me. “You’d never put me in danger? Do tell. Bringing me here doesn’t put me in danger? For fuck’s sake, he’s the leader of the most dangerous criminal enterprise in Europe.”

“Exactly my point, and nobody would come to assault or invade him because people know what he would do if they try.”

“Gabe, do you know he’s getting married?” I close my eyes and let tears roll down my cheeks as I wait for his reply.

“I heard he is.”

I nod, biting my bottom lip.

“He’s looking for a wife,” he adds.

“You’re wrong. He already found his future wife.” My chin trembles. I’m sure my brother hears me crying. I’m not even trying to hide it.

I sniffle, wiping my tears that overflow my eyes. “We’re over, Gabe. I walked away, but I don’t know why it still hurts. He doesn’t love me anymore. I get that, but seeing the hate in his eyes— that, I can’t take it. I know he would never forgive me for humiliating him, for breaking his heart. Seeing him happy with a woman who’s beautiful and funny, I feel like I'm breaking my heart over again.”

“You haven’t moved on, Willa. That’s why you don’t even like going out on a date. And it breaks my heart that I caused your pain and heartache. I’m so sorry, sis. I thought what I did was protecting you. But Ilya Vasilyev is dangerous, and he has a lot of enemies. I didn’t want to see you getting hurt, but apparently, you still got hurt.”

I take a deep breath. “I’ll stay here until I heal. I’ll pay for the consequences. I’ll swallow my pride, and I’ll stay away from him as much as I can. But once I’m feeling better, I’m flying to Capria or London, or even Spain, away from you and him. I don’t wanna be a pawn between you two.”

“If you say so, sis.”

“Do you know I started painting again? But that monster ruined everything.”

“I’ll never stop until I find that man, and I’ll make him pay. You have my word.

When I hear a soft knock, I tell him, “I got to go. Take care. Bye.”

I get up and walk to the door. When I open it, it’s Andrey looking regretful and confused.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

I smile. “Don’t be. I’m sure you all hate me, and you’re all happy to see me suffer. I hurt your boss, and I deserve all the hate and insults he throws at me.”

“My boss can be harsh. He doesn’t filter. I’m sure you know him better than we do, as well.”

“I thought I did, but he has a lot of skeletons in the closet, and you all seem to know me better than my own self.”

“It’s part of our job to know everyone he’s associated himself with. Boss says what’s on his mind, but he’s not a bad person. He’s got a zero-tolerance policy, though. He hates lies, disloyalty, and treachery. Don’t touch what’s his, don’t hurt the people he cares about, don’t steal from him, show him loyalty, and he will take bullets for you. He will kill for you. Ilya Vasilyev is the bravest and most loyal person I’ve ever met.”

“Jeez.” I go to the bathroom to wash my face. When I come back, he’s still here, standing at the window.

“Can I ask you something?” he asks.

“Of course.”

“I know it might be difficult for you, but can you describe the man who attacked you?”