‘I designated all codenames based on elements.The East Wing was water.The connecting bedrooms we reinforced were calledThe Cove.East Wing wasEcho Bay.Mimi wasShimmer.You wereCascade.’
‘What were you?’
‘Kestrel.’
‘Makes sense.What were the other wings?’
‘West Wing wasWhiskey Reach, that was your father’s domain and where the parties were held in the ballroom.November Skywas the North Wing, mostly for show, not lived in and South Wing wasSierra Forge.Staff residence, guest rooms and spas, all the real fancy, impressive shit that required the most work outside of security.’
‘Sounds like a lot to manage.’
‘You’d know.You manage the Tower, right?’
‘We don’t have to host parties and shit.’
‘That was always tricky, but we adapted.I hated the parties because it was so much pressure on you to perform.It gave you anxiety attacks.’
‘So when you taught me this,’ Kade says, touching his wrist, ‘it helped?’
‘It did, but you still went through hell trying to meet his expectations.He wanted you to dance with everyone.I used to get so angry.I remember when Sorrenko took you down—’
Kade looks over fast.‘Sorrenko?’
They stop walking.‘Yeah?’
‘You knew Sorrenko?’
‘Mikhail was your father’s best friend.Do you remember him?’
‘No, I mean the one who runs things now.’
‘Runs what?’
‘The Moroz Front.’
Lachlan blinks hard.‘What?’
‘Come on, everyone knows that.’
‘Roman Sorrenko died,’ Lachlan says seriously, an edge of strain to it, voice stretched on the last word.‘He can’t run—’
‘Vasily Sorrenko is the boss.’
Lachlan’s jaw drops.‘Are you messing with me?’
‘I’m really not.He’s a fucker,’Kade adds sharply.‘The only syndicate who refused to sign the Varrow City Accords.He attacks us at least once a month, although it’s never anything big.Boss calls itgames.Back and forth in the tunnels.Secret messages that self-destruct.’
‘Vasilycommands the Moroz Front,’ Lachlan says, as if what he’s saying is so ridiculous that speaking it aloud must jostle the truth.‘Silly?OurSilly?’
‘The fuck are you talking about?’
‘He—are you sure?’
‘I’ve never seen him in person, but everyone knows his name.Vasily Sorrenko.I take it you knew him?’
‘He lived with us in the Estate.’Lachlan shakes himself.‘Sorry, I’m just… shocked.’
‘Why?’
