Where the Snow Falls (Seasons of Betrayal #2)(36)

But how could he possibly sum up the way he felt about Violet for Kolya to understand? Shit, he could barely explain it to himself.

From that very first glare she sent him in Rus’ office, he knew.

“I was there the day they found Maya, remember?” Kaz asked, the memory popping into his head. “You threw a man through a glass window just because he made her cry—you had known her for all of three minutes.”

Kolya frowned, rubbing his jaw. “That doesn’t sound right.”

Kaz raised a brow. “Which part?”

“I didn’t throw him. It was a punch,” Kolya said with a nod of his head, as though this made all the difference.

“Do you really want to argue semantics?”

“Facts are facts.”

“Regardless,” Kaz said before Kolya could say anymore, “if you were sitting in my seat, you would be doing the same thing.”

“No,” Kolya corrected. “If I were in your seat, I would’ve shot your father in the f*cking face months ago—first order of business once I was released. And if Maya’s father—rest his f*cking soul—had thought to stand between her and me then he’d be in the ground too. That’s what I need you to remember, Kaz.”

He looked at Kolya. It was very rare that the man made a spiel since he rarely spoke unless needed, but when he did, there was a reason.

“You forgot how this business is done. When I asked you why you came to Chicago, it was not because you’re not welcome—it was because you left New York before Vasily was cold in the ground. You forgot the one lesson the f*cking bastard taught all of us: Never turn your back on the motherf*cker you’re trying to kill. You gave him too much time to prepare.”

Kolya shifted in his seat. “But everyone makes mistakes. It’s where you go from here that matters. Your girl is safe and out of the way, so now you need to do what should have been done before. Let this be the f*cking end of it.”

If Kaz had his way, Vasily wouldn’t live to see another nightfall, but more than that, if Kaz stuck to his plan, the seat would be opening up as well.

Within the Bratva, killing the boss didn’t necessarily award you the Pakhan title. Sure, one could take it, but that didn’t guarantee loyalty, and the brotherhood was nothing if not loyal. But should the seat be freely given, it was there for the taking.

He only needed one more piece before he could end it all.

Christian Carracci.

Alberto’s consigliere.

A phone call to Rus had gotten him most of the details about the man and where they could find him. At first, Kaz thought to tell his brother the truth about Gavrill in person—something he wanted to do face-to-face—but Rus had been curious as to why he was being asked about a man in Cosa Nostra.

Instead of telling him everything, Kaz had merely told him about the role Christian had played in it all but not about Vasily. As he had expected, Rus was more than happy to tag along on their mission to find him, even if he didn’t know the truth as to why they were bringing him in alive.

“It’s all good,” Kaz said as he focused back on Kolya. “It’ll be done soon.”

By the time the jet was rolling down the runway, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. Rus was waiting next to his truck. When they stepped off the jet, it wasn’t to Kaz his brother offered a smile but to Kolya.

“You still look like shit, Kolya, but that wife of yours can only do so much about that.”

Anyone. Anyone else and Kolya would have broken the man’s jaw, but because it was Rus, Kolya merely laughed and clapped the man on the back once he got close.

Of course, Kolya actually liked Rus.

Finally looking at Kaz, Rus said, “I got what you asked for.”

He led the way to the trunk of his car, opening the case inside to display a row of guns.

Nodding, he picked up one of the Glocks and slid the magazine into place. “Let’s go find an Italian.”





Konstantin put the car in park, throwing off his seat belt and reaching for the phone he’d tossed in the cup holder. “Let’s go. I’ve got to grab some shit, and then we can head back to the townhouse.”

Violet passed the home they’d stopped at a look, confused. “Can’t I just wait here?”

“No.”

“But—”

“No.”

Violet scowled at Konstantin as he pushed open the driver’s door and got out without so much as an explanation for where they were or why they were there. She didn’t even get the chance to open her door before Konstantin was opening it for her.

She stepped out of the car, tightening the neck of her jacket to keep the cold out. “You live here?”

The double-level home was situated on the outskirts of the city in a quiet suburb with houses lining both sides of the road. A small group of young children played in the yard across from the house where they had parked.

“Sort of,” Konstantin said, offering little else.

The walkway leading up to the home was lined with shrubs that had been covered for the winter to protect them from the elements, and the path itself was shoveled clear of snow. Once they reached the painted white steps that led up to the pale yellow front door, Konstantin didn't bother to knock but pushed the door open and strolled right in.