Over the past few days, I’ve had people watching Kronid’s credit card transactions, texting me updates on the man wherever he’s going. He’s in Los Angeles right now, his last transaction being at a bar. One that’s well known from what Stefan has told me.
Stefan and I aren’t friends whatsoever, but we’re putting our differences aside to both be here for Bianca, in whatever way she needs us. Maybe after a while things will settle down and we’ll both be able to cope with caring for the same woman. It’s become evident that Stefan loves her fiercely. I’m only beginning to care for Bianca, though I have a feeling this will only intensify as time passes.
“Are we still going to do what she’s asked?” I question Stefan, choosing to put my personal feelings aside. This is business, and sometimes things need to get bloody.
Stefan shoots me a glare, “She asked for us to show him mercy, and so we shall. No one can know about this, Mircea. If you’re feeling too chickenshit to follow through with this, then get out of here. I can handle this by myself.” The fact he’ll put Bianca’s needs above the Clans is shocking to me. All Clan leaders are supposed to want uniformity, protection, allegiance . . . but here we are.
“Have you forgotten he’s behind Anton’s death? That children will grow up without a parent?” I stop in my tracks, grabbing his arm.
Stefan huffs, “It’s not my job to cast judgement here. If it were, I’d say we throw him off the top of a skyscraper. But, Bianca has asked we show him mercy, so we need to. Mircea, you need to understand her childhood wasn’t normal in the least bit. This man, as corrupt as he may be, is the only thing linking her to a part of herself she might never otherwise have the opportunity to understand.”
The fact he can turn a blind eye for Bianca’s selfish need pisses me off. I know we both care for her. It’s obvious. But there’s a right thing to do, and a wrong one. In this moment I’m seeing how Stefan’s reputation is accurate. He’s one hell of a Tasmanian devil, your friend one minute and then turning his back on you the next. Corrupt as can be. I’m no angel, but I don’t agree with this.
“So, what? We’re supposed to forgive his actions because he’s related to her?”
Stefan shakes his head, digs into his pocket and pulls out a cigarette. He lights it in front of me and leans up against a wall on the street, using this opportunity as a smoke break. “Who said anything about forgiveness? Jesus, you really think she’d want him back on the streets? No. Not going to happen. He’s done horrible things against our people and he’ll pay his price. He’ll be working for Katya, Natasha’s ex-stepmother. She’s in charge of Sergei Kolosov’s business ventures since his death quite a while ago. Katya operates most of her business in Russia and the Ukraine, specializing in mail order brides and whatnot. Human trafficking is a thing of the past in her eyes, especially after she was a victim of that as well. She splits her time up in Tennessee, New York, and Moscow. We’re shipping him off to work. It’s essentially a prison sentence. He’ll be able to live his life, because of our Bianca’s mercy, and only because of it. Is that clear?”
“I don’t fucking like this.” I grit, standing my ground.
“What part of this don’t you understand? You don’t have to like it. Bianca asked this of us, so it will be done. You know what. Stay the fuck here, and don’t follow me. If you don’t want to be part of this, then you won’t. It’s as simple as that.” Stefan snaps, pushing himself off the wall, he continues up the street to the bar Kronid’s at.
I stand here debating on whether or not I should be following him. Although, I don’t want any part of this, so I’ll stand right here.
If he and Bianca want to save her brother, they can deal with the guilt of it. But I won’t.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Bianca
The kettle’s whistle on the stove pulls me out of my daze. I pick it up and put it on the back burner while I turn the stove off. Picking the kettle up by the handle, I pour the steaming hot water over the chamomile and lavender tea leaves, praying it’ll help me relax. Lord knows I need it right now.
Turning around, I grab my tea cup and go over to the window to look out into the backyard. It’s a bright and sunny day here in New York. The leaves are vibrant and full of life as spring is just starting to begin. Dad had some of the men add a small Japanese Maple in the backyard, giving it a beautiful burgundy-purple touch.
I unclasp the copper hook keeping the windows together and push them forward, wanting to see the birds swooping down to the trees, needing to smell the fresh flowers starting to bloom. What I really need is to relax and no matter what, my mind is driving me absolutely insane. No matter what, I’m only able to focus on Stefan and Mircea, terrified for whatever they’re going to walk into . . . at any moment’s notice.
I clasp the necklace around my neck, the two hearts interlocked with the one in the center . . . hopeful that they’ll be okay. Stefan and Mircea aren’t only intelligent, but ruthless and calculating as well. Deep down I know it’s highly unlikely something bad would happen to them, but there’s always a small chance and pregnancy has only made me even more worrisome.
“Bianca, can we have a chat?” My mother asks from behind me.
I
