Hidden Monsters (Volkov Bratva #4)(122)

“I’m really not in the mood to find someone to clean blood off this floor,” Mishca announced as he stepped out of his office, glaring at the three of them. “Let him through before you really piss him off.”

The shorter of the two followed orders obediently, stepping off to the side though he didn’t look happy about it.

The other, he laid the flat of his hand against Luka’s sternum and gave him a shove. Before he even acknowledged that he would hurt him, Luka’s fist shot out, connecting with his nose. He felt the satisfying crunch of cartilage.

Dropping like a sack of potatoes, Luka stepped over him, digging his hands into his pockets as he entered Mishca’s office.

Luka remained standing until Mishca joined him, shutting the office door behind him.

His former boss gestured for him to take a seat as he went back behind his desk and reclaimed his own seat.

They sat in silence for some time until Luka finally broke it. “How long had you known?”

Tapping his thumb against his desk, Mishca met his gaze head on. “Since my honeymoon. You knew better than anyone that after Vlad, I had to verify everyone. That included you. Of course, I didn’t expect to find anything, but when it comes to you…I really shouldn’t be surprised anymore.”

Shaking his head, Mishca looked thoughtful. “I never doubted your loyalty, even after I learned the truth. Even Klaus was reluctant to confess to it when I confronted him about it.”

But none of that made sense, and no matter how he tried to rationalize it over the last six months, he was no closer to an answer. “If you knew…why didn’t you ever say anything.”

“I wanted you come to me.”

Luka felt his temper spark. “All of this could have been avoided.”

Mishca arched a brow, the challenge in his eyes clear. “How long have you been a part of the Bratva? And in that time, how many of your former Organization have come looking for you? Even when Jetmir came—which I now understand the animosity there—he never mentioned your involvement. Fatos’ appearance here…who the f*ck could have known that he was so intent on dragging you back to Berat?”

“You let them take me. Practically handed me over.”

Sighing, Misha looked just over Luka’s shoulder. “It seems I’ve needed to repeat myself more times that I care to. Listen closely because I won’t say this again. You more than anyone else knew that what they did to Alex was only the beginning. They wouldn’t have stopped until they got what they wanted. Should I have stood aside and handed over my sister? My wife? My unborn son? You understand that there was much at stake. Before you decided to go on your little suicide mission, there was a plan in place, one that had taken me weeks to set up and a significant amount of money.” Mishca ran a hand through his hair. “The contract was fulfilled, you’re alive, and the Organization is no more.”

“Yeah,” Luka said, remembering suddenly all he had gone through at that compound. “But at what cost?”

They were interrupted by a soft knock on the door, one that had them both looking in that direction.

“Mishca,” Lauren called as she opened the door. “Sacha has been acting fussy today. Can you—” Lauren had been too busy trying to console her squirming baby to notice Luka’s presence, but when she did, the utter relief on her face almost made him smile.

Raising his hand, he gave her a salute, one that had never failed to make her laugh, but neither of them found the humor in it now. He could see in her eyes what he must look like, and he wished, as he did a lot lately, that he didn’t care about her either. That way, he wouldn’t care that there was pity in her eyes.

“Lauren—”

Despite Mishca calling her name, she simply handed him his son and walked over to Luka. When she was close enough to touch him, she threw her arms around him, holding on like she was afraid to let go.

His entire body stiffened, not used to a gentle touch after the months he’d spent with the Albanians. Even now, he still expected anyone who came near him to hurt him in some way.

She pulled back, tears simmering in her eyes. “Are you okay? You look like you lost a little weight, but we can fix that, right? I can cook something for you. I’m better at it now—not a lot though. Do you need something? Is there anything that I can get you?”

She was speaking rapidly and even Luka could tell that she was close to breaking down. Despite what he knew, it still baffled him that she cared about him this much. Lauren was kind by nature, but that was no guarantee that he meant something to her.

“Careful. I thought we were keeping our relationship a secret? Mish is sitting right over there.”

His words might have lacked the edge of humor that he always added, but they made her laugh nonetheless, and this time, he did manage a small smile.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Lauren, let him breathe.”

“But he just got here.”

Mishca, ever patient, said, “Yes, but we have a meeting.”

“Seriously, Mish? He just got here. After everything he’s been through, he deserves a break.”

“Lauren…”

Rolling her eyes, she let her arms fall to her sides as she took a step away from Luka. “I’m glad you’re home, Luka. Once you’re finished with whatever meeting Mishca has for you, you should come by and see Sacha…after you see Alex, of course.”