Mob Boss Series Book #1: The Russian Heir

Chapter Twenty Nine: Welcome To The Sandbox

Bryce's POV
"It's a genuine question nonna. Just answer it."

"It's offensive."

"I have lost all need to be sensitive and courteous to anyone's feelings. So just answer me. Are you behind Lettie's disappearance?"

She tilted her head. She may be aging but her sapphires remain as striking as ever. "Did I take your wife? Why would I do that?"

"To give me a reason to join your sandbox."

She smiled at me. "How diabolical do you think I am? Or sadistic even? It's disappointing Bryce. How long have we known each other? Haven't I been anything but straight with you?"

"Did you take my wife?"

Three months have gone by. No Lettie. I feel like I am about to cross into madness. There are no leads, there is nothing. Domingo had become a ghost and he is impossible to find. No one knows where he is. Brody is living an absolutely normal life. He is planning his wedding. We met the Volkovs and the match is genuine. Lelyah's father approves. So that is a dead end and I hate it but at the same time I feel relieved because I don't want it to be Brody.

"No Bryce Romanov. I did not take Lettie. She left Texas to come home to you. I lost touch with her the moment we had our last conversation which was at the airport. But you resolved long ago not to trust anyone." She approached me and wrapped his fingers around my forearm. Her dark blue eyes leveled with my own. I felt a sense of comfort just from her gaze. "I don't hold it against you. It's valid. But you can survive in your own just because you don't trust people. Not everyone is out to hurt you Bryce. I'm not your enemy."

"Then who is? Because I'm coming up blank at every turn. No one is admitting to taking Lettie. Maybe it was genuine a plane crash."

"Isn't that what Chuck is for?" She asked me. I asked my friend to search the seas and oceans for me. I'm parting with a pretty penny but I will not put a price on finding Lettie. "He's taking care of that so that you can take care of something else. It's a harsh reality. It also could be that the plane didn't crash."

"What if it was Domingo?"

"I can assure you it's not. We found Domingo. He's on an island in the Caribbean."

"Why isn't here then so that he can help find Lettie?"

She dropped her hand. She moved away. "Because I asked the ones who found him to leave him alone."

"Lettie is missing!"

"And I empathize but you're not part of the team and the team only helps the team. Those are the rules. I can't bend them just because you're my grandson."

"You're being unfair!"

"I'm playing by the rules set by everyone on the team. Lettie's life is in your hands and I'm sorry that you feel pressed to the wall but if you want help, surround yourself with people who possess resources to help."

I dragged my fingers through my hair. Dad said no. I don't care at this point. I just want Lettie back at all costs. I looked at Alexei who nodded. Raven looks as smug as always.

"Fine. Where do I sign?"

"Raven."

She brought over three sheets of paper. "Sign." She pointed at the dotted line. She offered me a pen.

"I need to read this first."

"Of course you do! We wouldn't want you to say you got tricked!" Raven smirked.

I looked at the documents word for word. The language is clear. After I ascertained it's all okay, I signed. Raven took the papers and gave them to my grandmother. She extended her hand to me. I shook it. "Welcome to the sandbox Mr Romanov. Raven will be at your full disposal." She turned away and walked towards her white range rover. She drove away leaving us in the warehouse.