Bound by the Blood

ASHES

POV: Marco

---

She slept for fourteen hours.

I didn't. I sat beside her, watched her face, listened to her breathe. Every time she stirred, I held my breath. Every time she stilled, I let it out.

She'd killed her brother.

I'd watched her do it. Watched the light leave Ivan's eyes. Watched the light leave hers.

We were even now. Both of us carrying ghosts.

---

Antonio came at dawn.

He stood in the doorway, looked at Sasha sleeping, then at me.

"How is she?"

"Alive."

"That's not what I asked."

"I know." I stood, walked to the window. "She's not okay. She won't be for a while. Maybe never."

"Neither are you."

I didn't answer.

"Dmitri knows about Ivan," Antonio said. "He's gone underground. Deeper this time. We might not find him."

"Then we make him come to us."

"How?"

I turned. "Use me."

"No."

"Antonio—"

"I'm not using you as bait again. It almost got you killed."

"It got Ivan killed."

"And Sasha's carrying that weight. You want to add more?"

He was right. I hated that he was right.

"Then what's the plan?"

Antonio crossed to me, lowered his voice. "We wait. We watch. Dmitri's empire is crumbling. His men are defecting. His money is running out. He'll make a mistake."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then we make one for him."

---

Sasha woke at noon.

She didn't speak. Just looked at the ceiling, eyes open, face blank.

I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"You hungry?"

"No."

"Thirsty?"

"No."

"Want to talk about it?"

She turned her head, looked at me.

"No."

I nodded. Lay down beside her. Took her hand.

We stayed like that for hours.

---

The call came at midnight.

Unknown number. I almost didn't answer.

Dmitri's voice was cold, measured, nothing like his brother's.

"Marco Ricci."

"Dmitri."

"You killed my nephew."

"Sasha killed your nephew. There's a difference."

"She's my blood. You're not."

"Then why are you calling me?"

A pause. "Because she won't answer. And I want her to know – this isn't over. I will find her. I will find you. And I will make you both pay for what you've done."

"You can try."

"I don't try. I succeed."

The line went dead.

I looked at Sasha. She was awake, watching me.

"Dmitri?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

"That he's coming."

She sat up. "Then we'll be ready."