“Agreed,” Carmine says and turns to Shane. “And I’m sorry that this call came in today.”
“It pisses me off that it’s happening at all,” Shane replies. I wish I had my equipment, but I do have a computer in my room.”
“I do, too,” Ivie says. “We can do some digging tonight. Are the parents safe?”
“Igor said they’re fine for now,” Carmine says. “And I’ll call Pop. I think we should have Igor and Katya come to Seattle where we can have them in one spot with Mom and Pop. Keep them all safe while we figure this out.”
“My father has an army,” Nadia reminds her husband. “He is capable of keeping himself and Mom safe.”
“He can bring his army with him,” Carmine says. “They’re safer together, and we all know it.”
“Let’s take the cake back to our suite,” Ivie suggests. “We can work and nibble on this there.”
“You shouldn’t have to work on your wedding night,” I say, but Ivie just shakes her head.
“It’s fine. Really. I had the best day ever, and now I get to do some hacking while eating delicious cake. Life’s good. Let’s go find the bastards behind this and make them pay.”
“You’ve become a total mafioso wife,” I accuse her with a laugh.
“Yeah, thanks.” She wipes an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye. “It makes me all sentimental.”
Chapter 13
~Rafe~
“Now that everyone’s under one roof, security is in place, and we feel generally safe right now, let’s go down and work out,” Carmine suggests. We returned to Seattle from Vegas two days ago. We got our parents and the Tarenkovs settled into our grandmother’s estate yesterday.
An army of men patrols the grounds at all times.
No one will get through.
And I could use some time in the gym with a punching bag.
“I’m down,” Shane says. “Let’s all meet down there in twenty? I could take a round with Rocco in the ring.”
“If you plan on dying today,” I say with a grin. “Yeah, we’ll meet you down there.”
I hurry up the stairs to the room that Annika used during Carmine and Nadia’s wedding. This time, I’m not next to her. I’m staying with her. Just as it should be.
“Hey,” Annika says when I walk through the door. “I was wondering where you ran off to.”
“I was chatting with the brothers. Are you in the mood to work out?”
She arches a brow. “Sure. Where?”
“Just get dressed, and I’ll show you.”
“Okay, mysterious man.” She jumps up and changes into leggings and a sports bra, then turns to me. “I’m ready.”
“Not like that, you aren’t.”
She scowls and looks down at herself. “What’s wrong with this?”
“It’s a bra. You need a shirt over it.”
“It’s a sports bra. This can be the shirt.”
“No.”
She sets her hands on her hips and glares at me. “A bathing suit covers more. You’re being a caveman. Let’s go work out.”
I cross my arms over my chest and stand firm. “If you think I’ll let my brothers see you in that getup—”
“You’re ridiculous.” She flings her hands into the air and stomps to the dresser where she pulls out a tank and slips it over her head. “There, master. I’m all covered up. Happy?”
I grin. “Yes, actually.”
“You know, you don’t get to dictate everything I wear.”
Before I can open the door of our room, I turn and pin her against the wall, my face inches from hers as I nibble her bottom lip. “Your outfit is sexy as fuck. I know my brothers love their girls, but they’d see that, and I don’t want to have to kill them today. It’s a simple tank top, A.”
“Does this mean I can’t wear a bikini when I go to the pool?”
“No.” But the thought doesn’t sit well with me. “I suppose not.”
She laughs and pushes at my shoulder. “You’re cute when you pout.”
“I’m not pouting.”
“Right. Not at all. Come on, let’s work out. I didn’t know there was a gym in this place.”
“It’s in the basement.” I lead her to the elevator and refrain from pinning her against the wall, right here and now.
When we get to the basement entrance, the other four are already there, along with Curt, who’s also riding this thing out here at Gram’s house. Carmine is keying in the code to the heavy, iron door.
“What the hell is this place?” Nadia demands as the door swings open. “And why didn’t you tell us about it before?”
“We were busy,” Shane says with a shrug. “Okay, we have the gym over there. Through that door is the artillery vault and firing range.”
“Holy shit,” Ivie whispers. “It’s a mini version of the ranch.”
Shane turns and kisses her on the mouth. “Now you’re just flattering me.”
“This is crazy,” Nadia breathes. “I want to see the weapons before we work out.”
“Okay.” Carmine presses his palm to the plate next to the door. When it opens, we all file in, and the lights automatically come on. The glass cases are also well lit, displaying all different kinds of weapons from daggers to automatic weapons.
Annika pulls her hand from mine and lifts a 9mm pistol out of the case.
“Whoa.” I reach out and take the gun from her. “I don’t think you should be handling this.”
“Is it loaded?”
“They’re all loaded, sweetheart. These are all dangerous weapons. A novice shouldn’t be playing with them.”
She nods, stares at the gun in my hand, and then takes it back. “Where’s the firing range?”
Nadia snorts, but I don’t look her way. “Over there.”
“Let’s go.” She leads the way to one of the firing lanes, sets up a target, and sends it down the line. Then, without missing a beat, she pops the magazine out of the gun, examines it, pops it back in, loads one in the chamber, and lifts both hands. She fires a single round, pulls the magazine out of the weapon before setting it down, and pushes the button to fetch the target.
We’re all quiet, watching intently.
And when the target arrives, there’s a single hole in the forehead of the outline of a man.
I blink at her and then the target again.
“Nadia taught me,” is all Annika says.
“Did you think I’d let the niece of a boss go through life unable to protect herself?” Nadia demands, still grinning. “Annika is a hell of a shot. And she knows her way around any weapon you have in there. She’s no pussy.”
I’m so turned on right now, I can hardly breathe.
“Do you have any more mansplaining you’d like to do?” Annika asks.
My brothers crack up.
Ivie and Nadia both high-five her.
Without saying a word, I pick her up and toss her over my shoulder.