Where the Wind Whispers (Seasons of Betrayal Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

ensured him a level of protection that he wouldn’t otherwise have, especially here. By now, he had to know he didn’t kill Kaz—word would have eventually found him—so not only was Rus after him, but Kaz wouldn’t be far behind.
    As soon as he got back on his feet.
    Or even if he wasn’t.
    Gesturing to the pad, Kaz wrote something else once Vera handed it over. This one was for Alfie.
    What are you offering?
    “Medical care. I—”
    “We have doctors,” Rus said, taking another sip of his coffee.
    Rus hadn’t been in a particularly good mood when he came in the room, but now, with Alfie, he was just being antagonistic.
    “Sure. How many have you threatened into working for you, hmm? You Russians are more brawn than brain. I have a team of surgeons on call, not because I promised to cut off their fucking fingers, but because I do good business.”
    “If my brother hadn’t vouched for you,” Rus returned darkly, “you would be dead.”
    “And by whose hand, mate? You wouldn’t make it past the door.”
    “Stop it,” Vera said, daring to wade into the middle of the two.
    “This is where you’ve been?” Rus asked, switching to Russian as he glared at their sister. “Of all the bastards in this city, you pick Alfie fucking Shelby .”
    “It’s not like that.”
    And if Kaz hadn’t heard the way her voice wavered as she said that, he would have never believed it. Vera didn’t just dislike their father, she hated everything he stood for. Including the lifestyles they led. She’d made it a point to avoid as much of it as she could since the day she left home.
    The idea of her with someone like Alfie— especially someone like Alfie—was unreal.
    “Then what is it like?” Rus demanded.
    “We’ll talk about this later.” Her tone was firm.
    “No, no,” Alfie said as he relaxed back further in his chair with a lazy smile on his face. “I’d prefer you talk about me in my face and not behind my back, thanks.”
    Now, all eyes turned to him.
    “You speak Russian?” Rus asked, as though that fact was just another thing to add to the list of shit he disliked about the man.
    “I’m a man of many talents, mate. Many talents. Now, go on. Finish your little discussion—pretend I’m not even here.”
    Before Rus, or Vera for that matter, could get another word in, Kaz decided it was time to break this up. The last thing he needed was the three of them going around in circles—not right now, at least.
    He needed to take care of Vasily first. Whether he liked it or not was immaterial. His sister was an adult and wouldn’t listen to a word of caution if her mind was made up on something. Later, once Vasily was in the ground and no longer a threat, Kaz would get an answer from Alfie as to when he had gotten involved with his sister.
    “Now isn’t the time,” Kaz forced himself to say, his voice coming off high and scratchy. He sounded nothing like himself. “One problem at a time.”
    “Two problems,” Alfie spoke up. “Two problems on your hands, mate. Don’t forget you didn’t just piss off Vasily, but you’ve made enemies of the Italians, too. Or did you forget Alberto’s visit a few days ago?”
    What the fuck?
    Alfie looked surprised. “You didn’t know? Maybe he wasn’t here for you.”
    Violet chose that moment to come back into the room saying, “The food down there was—oh.” She came up short when she saw Vera at Kaz’s side and Alfie seated. “Why does everyone look like that?”
    “Rus, find the doctor and get me out of here,” Kaz demanded. “Alfie, set up whatever you were… setting up. Vera—” He looked at his sister, making sure she understood just how serious he was. It didn’t matter that she was older, he was still her brother. “We’ll talk later.”
    She nodded, obviously not expecting otherwise.
    “Now, give me the room.”
    It wasn’t long before the three of them shuffled out and Violet watched them go a moment before walking to his bedside. “You