He sighs deeply. It’s a sound I’ve never heard from him before. “I’m sorry,” he says.
“Don’t tell me you’re sorry,” I snap. “Just tell me what you have to.”
He nods, but it’s still several more seconds before he finally breaks the silence.
“Esme, you and Phoenix, you mean the world to me,” he says.
I squeeze the armrest and brace myself for what’s coming.
“But I never should have made you believe I was leaving the Bratva behind.”
The hairs on my arm rise.
And I know why instantly.
Because I’ve been expecting this all long.
Deep down, I’ve always known where Artem’s choice lay.
“The last several weeks, I’ve been consolidating power,” Artem continues. “I’ve been preparing to take on my uncle and fight for what’s mine.”
I nod slowly, as though I understand. Part of me doesn’t. Part
