Page 55 of Midnight Sanctuary
“Out.”
“Okay, then you can go check out this place called Matros. I’ve heard through the grapevine that Sobakin might have been an investor in the bar. Maybe we can poke around there, see if something comes up.”
“That’s all you have? Sobakin may have invested in some shithole in Santa Monica?”
“You got any better ideas? We’ve exhausted every other rumor, man. It wouldn’t hurt to check this out.”
“I can’t do it right now.”
“Why not?”
I peek towards the window. Alyssa and her friend are out of their seats and hugging each other tightly. I’m guessing Alyssa probably shared her pregnancy news. “Because Alyssa’s having lunch with her friend and I’m on bodyguard duty.”
“Are you serious?”
The annoyance in his voice takes me aback. “Why would I joke?”
“You could have put Stepan or Vlad or literally anyone else in the whole goddamn Bratva on bodyguard duty.”
“Except there’s no one I trust more than myself.”
“For God’s sake… Listen, I’m glad you and Alyssa managed to sort out your shit—but in case you’ve forgotten, our sister’s still missing.”
My jaw clenches together hard enough to make my whole head throb. Nikolai’s words are bad enough; his tone makes them far worse. “I haven’t forgotten,” I snarl. “I’m just trying to make sure Alyssa and my children don’t end up missing, either.”
He clicks his teeth in irritation. “I’m going to the shed. I think it’s time I took a shot at Sobakin. Maybe I can get something out of him that you couldn’t.”
Apparently, my brother is looking for a fight today. “You better watch yourself now, Niko. Don’t go down there alone.”
“Youdo. Why can’t I?”
“I’m the fuckingpahkan. I can do whatever I damn well please.” I’m just being an asshole now for no good reason. Why shouldn’t he try? But I’m dug in and there’s no going back.
He’s silent for a prolonged few seconds. “Fine,” he spits bitterly. “As you say, you’re thepahkan. Just try not to take all goddamn day, yeah?”
He hangs up before I can bite back at him. Alyssa’s lunch takes another hour. I’m at the point where I’m ready to walk in and pull her out when I notice Alyssa signal to the waitress for the bill. I step into the restaurant to intercept the hostess and pay for their meal myself. A few minutes later, both women walk out towards me.
Alyssa has her arm linked with Elle’s, who steps up to me with curious eyes and a careful smile.
“Thanks for the meal,” she says. “You didn’t have to.”
“It was my pleasure. Lovely to meet you, Elle. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Any attempt at sizing me up subtly is quickly abandoned. She sweeps me up and down like she’s checking me for weapons. She’d better not look too closely, though, because she’ll find several. “All good things, I hope.”
“Nothing but good. You’ll have to come and visit Alyssa at the estate one day when you’re free.”
Alyssa looks surprised that I made the offer but she doesn’t say anything. Elle just nods. “I’ll definitely do that. Oh, and—congrats.”
Something inside me blows up like a balloon. It feels suspiciously like real joy. “Thank you.”
Once we’ve said goodbye to Elle and cleared the restaurant, Alyssa turns to me with a grateful smile. “Thanks for letting me do that today. It was much needed.”
“How much did you tell her?”
“Only enough to reassure her that I was not in any danger with you.”
“So you lied to her?”