Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva #4)(120)

Actually…that was news to Klaus, but he was careful not to let his surprise show.

But Mishca knew the truth.

“What everyone fails to realize is that I didn’t make this decision lightly. When Fatos came to me for Luka, I didn’t want to see him cast out, even if I wanted to strangle the life out of him.”

Klaus could see it, the residual anger lying dormant inside of him, but it was clearly ready to come out.

“Those Albanians were like f*cking roaches. Even when one was dead, others took its place. This wasn’t just about getting Luka out of a f*cked-up situation, but also about preventing another one from happening. Fatos wasn’t the only person that I wanted taken out. I got rid of their entire network. Because neither you nor him would ever be able to move on with your f*cking lives until it ended. So you’re welcome. Now, if the lot of you would get off my f*cking back for what you think you know, it would be appreciated.”

Climbing to his feet, Mishca shoved a hand through his hair, getting his temper under control. “You know where he is, and at present, I really don’t care. You tell that little shit that if he wants any future with this Bratva or with my sister, then he better be in my office within seventy-two hours.”

Klaus could only blink as he watched Mishca leave—he didn’t even have the nerve to slam the door as Klaus would have done if the positions were reversed.

Asshole.

Now…it looked like he had to catch a flight.





50

_____





It’s Time





“Are you just going to continue to stalk her,” Klaus began as he came up beside the former enforcer, not surprised in the slightest to find him there, “Or no?”

He’d been honest when he told Mishca that he hadn’t known where Luka was, but he had had an idea.

They were only a few blocks from Alex’s apartment, sitting at a small café near the market where Alex, oblivious to their presence, was busy shopping about a block down, speaking candidly to a boy who trailed beside her. She looked less angry than the last time he’d seen her, but there was a sadness radiating from her. Maybe, if she looked up, just once, and caught them sitting there watching her, maybe that sadness would go away.

Luka looked better, his bruises having faded, and he looked to have put on a little weight though not as much as he probably needed. His hair was still cut short, though it was obvious he was growing it out.

Tapping his fingers against the table to a cadence only he knew, Luka stiffened at Klaus’ unwelcome intrusion even though he kept his gaze on Alex.

Klaus would never admit it, but he missed that sardonic smirk and crude humor of the Albanian sitting across from him. If not for looking at him, he might not have recognized him.

He was just there, as though all the life had been taken from him, and he was now merely a shell.

The same way he looked when they had first met.

“She’s free.”

“What the f*ck does that mean?” Klaus asked, frowning.

“I needed to know,” he went on as though Klaus hadn’t spoken at all. “I needed to know she would be okay without me.”

Luka stood without warning. Alex was on the move, heading in the opposite direction with her male friend. Klaus tossed a bill down on the table, keeping in stride with Luka though it was clear that he wasn’t wanted.

“Listen, you’re needed back in New York.”

“I’m not going back.”

At least he was acknowledging Klaus’ presence. That was progress. “Just because you had a little scuffle doesn’t excuse you from your duties.”

Luka paused, turning to glare at Klaus who merely raised his brows. “Too soon?”

“Fuck off, Klaus.”

He mumbled something Klaus couldn’t hear, digging into his pocket for the pack of cigarettes he had there. Pulling one free, he lit it and took a long drag, exhaling the smoke as they easily moved through the crowd.

After a moment, Klaus realized that they were still following Alex, who was now on the move.

“Are you content doing this?” Klaus asked, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Following her around like a lost puppy when you could be with her. I mean, who’s left to stand in your way. Last I remember, you shot Fatos at point-blank range. Or maybe I imagined that?”

“How could I? After everything I’ve done.”

“She doesn’t care about that.”

“But I do.”

“So, what? Are you just going to walk away?”

Luka took one last drag from the cigarette he was smoking before tossing it down and grinding it out. “Did I ever have a choice?”

Klaus couldn’t explain it, but anger filled him, and as they were crossing the street, he shoved him into the alley. He might not have realized it until that moment, but he had been treating Luka with kid gloves ever since Berat.

Knowing firsthand what torture could do to a person, he’d chosen to give Luka his freedom, giving him time to cope with what he had suffered. But not once had he ever thought that Luka would give up everything.

This life of theirs…this was all he knew.

It was clear that Luka was still wallowing in whatever guilt he might have carried, but Klaus wasn’t going to let him remain there, not anymore.