Free Redemption (The Volkov Mafia Series Book 4) by Samantha Harrington Page A

majestic. Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, they all stand tall in this busy city, with people coming from miles around to take in the sights. Have you ever thought to yourself that we take all this for granted? We see them nearly every day but we don’t appreciate them. Do we ever think about their history and what they represent? I’m too busy being lost in the city that it takes me a moment to realise we are going the wrong way home.
    “Where are we going, Alek?” I ask him.
    “I’m taking you to the penthouse that Damien has here in London for when he’s here on business. I have some to attend to in the morning so I thought we could just stay there, but if you want me to drive you home I will.”
    It makes sense, seeing as he has to drive into the city tomorrow. What the hell, it will be nice.
    “Yeah, that’s a good idea. It will be nice to spend a night in the city. I miss it.” I nestle further into the seat as we make our way towards the penthouse. Alek and me alone — I think that’s exactly what I need right now.

 
    Chapter Eight

    Damien
    “What do I have to do to get through to him, Faith?” I ask her, exasperated. Since the incident with Ivan, I have closed off from my brother.
    We talked about his gambling problem and the risk of what he was doing. The risk he was putting on the family. My family. I told him if he ever did it again that he would be out. That I would disown him, even kill him. I will do it; I will put him down. I killed my father, so I won’t hesitate to put him six feet under.
    “I don’t know, Damien. He’s sick … it’s not something that he can control. It’s a compulsion.” Her words are always kind no matter who it is she’s talking about.
    “I’m not cut out for this shit. I shouldn’t have to babysit that fucking excuse of a man. Why can’t he just stop and realise the damage he’s caused? Is it really that hard for him?”
    Just having someone to talk to about all of this means everything to me. She’s my rock and my world. She faces everything head-on with me and doesn’t back down from a fight. That’s one of the main things I love about her. She’s one of the strongest people I know.
    “All you can do is keep trying. Unless he admits that he has a problem and needs help, there is nothing you can do.”
    Deep down I know she’s right, but it doesn’t make it sting any less. He nearly destroyed my family. His mother died because of his actions. He needs to realise that there is more than him at risk. I know the types of characters that lend money to people, who ruthlessly do anything they can to get their money back one way or another. They don’t hesitate to track your family down and make them pay for your sins. I know this because I’m in the same line of work. The only difference is I don’t kill family. Faith was the only exception to that rule; yes, I took her, but I set her free, unharmed. I vowed to keep her safe. I fell in love with my captive. She stole my heart the minute I saw her in that room.
    “It’s no use, Faith. I can’t make him see anything he doesn’t want to see. I’m done with him if it happens again,” I tell her, rubbing my head with my hands in frustration. Who said sibling love was easy? I stand up, pacing up and down the room. Faith sits in the chair, looking at me, her eyes full of compassion and understanding.
    “Then we just give him time, Damien. That’s all we can do.”
    I walk over to her and gently kiss the top of her head. “This is why I love you,” I whisper.
    I leave the kitchen and stride to the office. Something needs to be done once and for all, I’m just not sure what.
    I’m sat in the chair, the whiskey swirling in the tumbler in my hand, the ice clinking against the glass. I think back to Russia and what happened in the aftermath.
    “You dumb fuck! How could you do this? Putting Faith and Anya in danger like that. They threatened to take my family out.”
    He sat in the chair, the