I’m prepared to stand here until I’ve won the Bratva to my side. But then my phone rings.
I see Akim’s name, and I know it’s important. He knows where I am and what I’m doing. He wouldn’t be calling now if it wasn’t.
I turn and answer. “What?”
“See?” Sergey addresses the men behind me. “He is distracted.”
“She’s gone,” Akim gasps into the phone.
My mind is split in half, partially listening to Sergey’s sermon to my men, partially hearing Akim. “Who is gone?” I ask, only half understanding.
I blink and turn my back fully to Sergey. “What? No. No, I left her in my office.”
“And it’s empty now,” he insists. “I was waiting outside like you said, but there was no movement inside. I just entered the code and went in to check on her, but she’s gone, man. Piper is gone.”
“Well, son?” Serge
