Page 193

Waiting for me.

Chapter

Fifty

Lev

Ikeep my gaze fixed on Allegra. Her eyes hold mine, and it takes everything in me not to run to her.

There’s a fucking bruise on her cheek. My gaze flicks to Danillo. He’s holding her. He did that. He hurt her again.

The bastard gives me a crude smile as if he knows what I’m thinking.

I look away, remembering I need to stay focused.

Corrado is on her right. Next to him is the man of the hour. The man I’ve been looking for all my life. My enemy—Micah Moretti.

He steps forward. He’s taller than I expected. Then again, I didn’t know what to expect beyond what he’s shown me so far.

Moretti smiles. “You followed my instructions. I’ll admit, I wasn’t certain you would.”

“Your men have the shipment,” I grate out.

“They do. Every crate was accounted for.” His smile broadens. “All those weapons returned to me without a fight. You must really love your wife.”

My gaze shifts to Allegra, and the violence raging through me intensifies. “You threatened her life. There was never a choice.”

“There’s always a choice, Karsavin. You made yours.” He spreads his arms and surveys the warehouse like a king admiring his court. “You surrendered the only leverage you had, then walked straight into my territory. All for one woman.”

“I upheld my end of the agreement. Now release my wife and her mother.”

Moretti chuckles and furrows his brows. “You still think this is an exchange.”

Of course, I don’t.

On the balcony above, his men appear with their guns trained on me. I’m surrounded on all sides.

That’s okay. I wasn’t dumb enough to follow his instructions and come alone.

I’m sure he knows that.

My backup is outside. They have the old warehouse surrounded, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Cassian will give me an opening. The moment he does, everything changes.

“I’ve had a change of heart.” Moretti smiles. “I’ve decided to keep your wife for myself. That face could make me a pretty penny on the black market.”

Oh, fucking hell, no. There’s no way I’m letting that happen.

He has everyone’s attention now. Corrado and Danillo exchange worried glances, then look back at Moretti, realizing things aren’t as rosy as they seem.

Corrado walks over to him.

“What are you talking about, Moretti? That wasn’t part of the deal,” Corrado says. “She’s my daughter.”

Moretti turns to him. “I’m sorry, did we make a deal?”

“I thought…” Corrado stutters, and his voice trails.