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“That’s my part,” Malik replies. “Some things require street smarts. I looked at the toxicology report Zakh got from the lab and noticed the oleander was blended with a synthetic street drug. That was probably what made our father’s heart condition look so real. I know there are only a few people you can get the drug from. Our guy was the best at what he did and an expert in poisons used by many assassins.”
Zakh bites the inside of his lip. “I’ve asked Leo and Kill to go to the coroner’s office to get more details on the dealer’s time of death and whereabouts before he was shot. I trust them to keep things quiet.”
Leo and Kill are enforcers in our Brotherhood. As Leo is Zakh’s best friend and Lorelai’s older brother, and Kill is their cousin, I respect Zakh’s trust in them.
“So it’s a waiting game now.”
Malik stands and pulls on his jacket. “We might be here for a while. I was about to get some food. Are you going to be here long enough to eat?”
I nod. “I’ll stay. Looks like I’m needed here more.” Home is definitely not where I want to be with shit going on behind my back.
“Alright. I’ll be back in ten minutes. Call me if you hear anything while I’m out.”
He leaves, and I look back at Zakh. He’s so tense the vein on the side of his head is standing to attention. Earlier, he seemed hopeful that he was on track to find something.
Over the time I’ve gotten to know him, the main thing I’ve realized is how close he is to our father. What he wants is revenge.
I know what that feels like. But the same man he wishes to seek vengeance for is the one I would have killed myself.
“Desmier, this thing might not be Viktor.” He leans onto the desk with gritted teeth. “Or there are others working with him.”
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
“I’m not known for my patience.”
“Neither am I.”
“Yeah, I figured that out when you decked Viktor earlier.”
“You know he fucking deserved it, and more.” I make a fist and press my knuckles into the edge of my seat.
“Yes, which begs the question why are you here and not with the wife you looked really taken with?”
I shake my head. “I’m not taken with her.” Instantly, I feel bad for the lie. The deadpan look he gives me tells me he knows it’s a lie, too. “Or rather, I mustn’t be.”
“Why? I’ve never seen Anastasia look like that with anyone, and I’ve known her practically her whole life. She looked happy. So did you.”
“I think she’s just grown accustomed to me. That’s all it is.”
“She’s your wife, Desmier. Look, she was bound to be upset hearing that Viktor was a damn cheat because she was essentially raised to love him. But I get where you’re coming from, because I would be pissed, too. All I’m saying is, give her the benefit of the doubt.”
I appreciate what he’s saying, but my earlier decision needs to stand.
“I need to cool off, Zakh. That’s the best thing for me now. I need a break to get my head together.”
“And what will your head together look like? The guy you were when you first arrived?”
That gives me pause, but I know the answer. “Yes. That guy was fueled by fire and had his head screwed on.” Each day was taken with precision. Then it changed the moment I tasted her. My own damn punishment backfired on me and led me here.
“You’re a different person now.”
“No. Believe me, I’m the same guy. It’s just that time has passed.”
“But you love her.”
I look at him as if he just hit me with a truck. I’m amazed that a guy who I’ve only known for roughly two months can see through me enough to know that. It’s almost like when Viktor could tell I was fascinated with Anastasia, but this is different.
There is no ill will in Zakh toward me.
