Page 122 of The Devil’s Lair

Even with therapy, it’s too much for one person to deal with and not suffer some kind of long-term emotional damage far worse than an aversion to touch. I only hope Lilian can help him find a way through.

I jump when the door opens and Tobias walks in. His hair is disheveled, he’s got dark circles beneath his eyes, and there’s a slope to his shoulders borne of sheer exhaustion.

“What can I do?”

He holds out his arms.

I run across the room and into them, the place where I feel the safest, and I hope he does, too. I squeeze him hard, and we simply stand there, taking comfort from one another. It’s a few minutes before we break apart.

“Couldn’t get me a brandy, could you?” Tobias asks, sheepishly glancing at the clock. “It’s evening somewhere, right?”

“Time is irrelevant.”

I pull the stopper off the decanter and pour him a generous serving. I’m not a huge fan of hard liquor, but I pour one for myself, too. Even when we’re situated on the couch, he holds my hand, his fingers threaded through mine as he sips his drink in silence. I’m dying to know what’s happened, but I refuse to ask him, to put more pressure on a man bowing under the weight of it already.

“I’m sorry to take you from Isla again.”

“No apologies. She’s fine. Maisie is spoiling her.”

“I really want to hug her, but I can’t see her yet.” He puts his drink on the table, then runs a hand over his face. “When do you think the hits will stop coming?”

“I was only thinking that a few minutes before you arrived. What you’ve had to deal with lately, it’s a lot, Tobias. You should book a session with Lilian as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your scheduled appointment.”

“Probably have to fight Xan for her time now.” His lips tilt up into a smile that doesn’t last. “Can’t exactly tell Dad about the Southalls, now, can I? Not after today.”

“Well, maybe not today, but he’d want you to tell him eventually. You’re his son, and he loves you.”

“That’s the problem, though. He loves me, which means he’s going to blame himself, and after this fucking nightmare with Alice, I cannot do that to him. Not yet.” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses me. “Thank God for you.”

“What happens now? To Alice, I mean.”

“Alice and George will be gone by Tuesday.”

“Gone where?”

“Siberia.”

“Alive?”

“Yeah. A week with the Volkovs, though, and they’ll wish they were dead.”

I shudder, his meaning clear without further explanation. “Who are the Volkovs?”

“One of the ten families who make up The Consortium.”

My nose wrinkles. “What’s The Consortium?”

He shifts, looking up at me. “There’s so much I haven’t had a chance to tell you about this family.” He pulls me close. “The Consortium was formed a long time ago. My ancestors were founding members, and now, ten families are a part of the organization. We’re the… I guess you could say we’re the power behind the vast majority of the world’s governments. We work together on pretty much everything, from supply chains to laws we want passed that work in our favor. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still competitors, and sometimes adversaries, but when push comes to shove…”

“You stick together.”

He nods.

“Which is why there’s no comeback on what you did to those men for me?”

“Exactly. Even if I was arrested—and believe me, there isn’t a police commissioner alive or dead who would dare to give such an order—not a single judge in the country would take the case.” He sits up straight. “But, and this is important, we do fervently believe in law and order. We don’t go around poking our nose into government business unless it’s deemed necessary.”

“And these Volkovs…?”