Page 137 of Beguiled

We continued to dance, taking our time to do nothing more than to stare into each other’s eyes. She was right about so many aspects of my life and perhaps my heart. I couldn’t continue hating a dead man or blaming him for anything. He’d wanted nothing more than for me to be given his name. A name I should be proud of.

Time ticked away and I was beginning to sweat. Where the fuck was the asshole?

“We’re not alone,” she whispered, taking a deep breath.

There was no indication Mikhail had arrived.

Until he was there, appearing out of the shadows.

“Hello, brother.” Mikhail’s voice held the strain of someone who only understood hatred. I knew that because I recognized my own voice in his.

Both Saige and I turned our heads, studying him without breaking the embrace. Of course he had a weapon pointed in our direction.

“Mikhail. We were expecting you.” I kept my voice even. There was no reason to panic.

“You were? Such a smart man. I’m sure you do everything Kazimir tells you to do like a good little boy.”

I pulled away from Saige, reminding her with my eyes to be cautious. Not only did she have a gun inside her purse but also aknife strapped to her leg. And I had no doubt she would use one or both if necessary.

But I refused to put her in that position.

“You know,brother,” I emphasized. “You were always your father’s son. I wasn’t.”

“Woe is me,brother.” His laugh was full of self-pity laced with rage.

Just like mine had been for so long.

“Everyone believed I’d been responsible for imprisoning Kazimir because of my hatred. And I did hate, but not my own brothers. Just the man who sired me.”

“Am I supposed to feel sorry for you because I don’t.” As anticipated, he moved closer to Saige.

I’d yet to raise my weapon, instead unbuttoning my jacket and sliding my hands into my trouser pockets. Keeping him off guard was the key.

“Your brother cared for you when you were sick, but you didn’t give a shit.”

When Mikhail stopped, Saige seized the opportunity.

“He loves you very much, Mikhail. You’re his family. You’re his brother. You’re Stash’s brother and nothing can change that.”

The cracks were getting wider. He lifted his arm so the barrel was directed toward her face. “Shut up. You’re nothing but his whore. Maybe I’ll make him watch while I show you what it’s like to be with a true man.”

While I knew to keep my calm no matter what he said, my reaction was based on how much I cared about her. In two seconds, I had the weapon pointed at his head and had taken three long strides toward him.

“Back away, Mikhail.”

“Stash,” she whispered. “Don’t you see he’s hurting? Mikhail wishes he could take everything back and be a part of the family again. Right? Don’t you want to see your niece and nephew? They are so adorable.”

“I’ll be happy to allow you to meet them, Miska,” Kazimir said from behind.

As planned, the Pakhan walked closer with Kirill, Dimitri, and several soldiers moving through the doors and standing in a semicircle.

Mikhail turned slowly, peering at Kazimir. I could see from where I was standing, he was continuing to falter, his arm shaking. Not much. Just enough to showcase his distress.

Just like Saige had suggested. Now it was about pushing him.

Kazimir didn’t have a gun in his hands, moving closer while holding his arms in the air.

“Would you like that?” he asked.