Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Yuri clears his throat , stepping back . I just wanted to tell you its done . You have the test ? He shakes his head . Thats … still underway , he says , sounding weirdly uncertain . Im about to pry into what exactlys got him acting so strange , when he adds , I meant the other thing . I massage my temples . If this day goes on any longer , the migraine Im brewing might be the death of me . Quit speaking in riddles , brother . What thing ? The kidnappers . We have them . That jolts me to attention . Where are they ? In the warehouse , with our men keeping watch . Im heading there now . I give a quick nod . April mentioned one of them was Russian . He could be one of ours . Yuri frowns . You think our men got turned ? I dont know , but Ill need you there until I find out . If theres a traitor in our ranks , they might not be working alone . Understood , Yuri answers , straightening where he stands . If he were to salute me right now , I wouldnt even blink . Nothing whips Yuri into shape like an important task to oversee . Will you be coming along for the fun ? No. I shake my head . Ill meet you there later . Start without me . Make those lowlifes understand what it means to mess with one of us . For a moment , theres only silence . Then : That was quick , I hear Yuri half joke , half sulk I whirl around . Whats that supposed to mean ? Nothing , he backtracks . Just … A pause . I can see his eyes grow uncertain again as he gathers up the courage to ask the question burning up inside of him . Is that what she is now ? One of us ? I roll my eyes all the way to the back of my skull . Not you , too . Im just saying , he mutters . We dont know if she can be trusted yet . What if the kid isnt yours ? She cant be trusted , I tell him flatly . Shes not blood . And if the kids not blood , either , then they can 22.94 Chapter 23 both go fend for themselves . Out of the corner of my eye , I see Yuri flinch . Does he think Im being too harsh ? Maybe . Yuri always had a kinder heart than me . Luckily , I dont have a heart at all . Thats what I tell myself , even as images of April on the run start crowding my head . April , with a bundle in her arms , April , running for her life . April , staring down the barrel of a gun ….. No , I tell myself resolutely . That wont happen . If the childs mine , then they will have the full force of the Groza Bratva to protect them . And if it isnt …. If its not mine , I say out loud , whoevers after her will soon realize their mistake , too . So dont worry . Yura : no ones going to get hurt here . Do you understand ? No one that doesnt deserve it , I add with a rush of bloodlust , picturing Aprils kidnappers with a missing row of teeth . Yuri nods . I understand , Motya . In the meantime , I say , put a rush on that paternity test . The sooner we know , the better . Yes , moy pakhan . I ruffle his hair . Whats with the formalities now ? Youre so weird tonight . Anyway , go . Ill catch up . Where will you go ? I glance up at the hotel . At the balcony above all balconies , up on the penthouse floor . The one I know is mine . The one thats now Aprils , too . I think , I answer , feeling an uncharacteristic grin pulling at my lips for the second time in as many days , Ill go have dinner . APRIL Im almost done hanging my clothes when the doorbell rings . I rush to the door , trying to fix the mess on my head in the process . After hours spent ducked between 23.04 Chapter 23 bookshelves and riffling through a closet bigger than my entire apartment , its safe to say I dont look my best . Or so I assume . I havent had a chance to look in the mirror yet . Its so weird answering the door here . Like this place belongs to me . Even if this temporary arrangement gives me full run of the joint , I cant help feeling like a guest . An intruder . I crack open the chained door , once again expecting Grisha … And its not . Instead , its him . Oh , I blurt out stupidly . Matvey inclines his head . April , he greets back flatly . Every time I see this man , hes looking his best self . Composed , put- together , all smooth fabrics and artful scruff and expensive cologne . By contrast , I feel like I just crawled out of a hole . An asshole , to be specific . Gonna let me in at some point ? Matvey asks , that pinprick of impatience clear in his voice . Of course . Just a second … I unlock the chain at the door . It takes me an embarrassing amount of tries -damned butterfingers . But in the end , I manage , and the sight that greets me is… Unexpected . Because there Matvey is , tapping his foot with mounting irritation , towering over me in all his mob bossy glory- -and pushing a food cart . My Alor Chapter 21 Chapter 24 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!