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The king’s throne is the most coveted spot. The princess’s only role is to nod her head and be used by whomever the king sees fit.
That’s why I left.
That’s why I risked Adrian’s wrath, Kirill’s violence, and everyone else’s death sentence.
“Did you recognize me a few weeks ago?” I ask Kirill, my attention bouncing between him and Adrian.
I don’t even attempt to run again. It’s useless since not only is Aleksander standing at my back like a demon ready to strike, but I’m sure that Adrian’s senior guards are also surrounding the place or hiding somewhere I can’t see.
He never goes anywhere unprepared, and he sure as hell wouldn’t give me a chance to escape or leave until he’s through with what he’s here for.
“I suspected it, yes.” Kirill smirks, throwing the menu on the table. “I must admit you did a great job, but it wasn’t perfect enough to fool me. Besides, your mannerisms will always give you away, Anastasia.”
I never wanted to hear my name pronounced the Russian way again. It feels like I’m back in the confinements of that prison, unable to use my fairy wings that I always dreamed would let me fly.
“ThePakhan, Rai, and dear Vladimir said you were continuing your studies in Russia. So it didn’t make sense for you to be roaming the streets of New York as an unflattering version of yourself.” Kirill tilts his head to the side. “Am I right?”
My lips part, my mind stuck on the bit of information he just revealed.
The fact that Papa, my cousin, Rai, who’s the head of theBratva’s legal front, V Corp, and Vladimir, who’s always been like a big brother to me, said I was in Russia.
I obviously wasn’t. They had no idea where I was, except for the note I left saying, “I’m sorry.”
But they…covered up for me?
My eyes fill with unwanted tears at that thought, the fact that they protected me from everyone else. That they didn’t let me take the fall, even though I was prepared for that.
Even though I should’ve taken it.
I’ve been part of the brotherhood for fifteen years, and I know better than anyone that any betrayal’s punishment is death.
No matter who or what you are.
Papa, Rai, and Vladimir didn’t allow that. Despite being the strictest people when it comes to theBratva’s code, they bent it for me.
“Am I right?” Kirill repeats, raising a brow.
Since I have no clue what Papa, Rai, and Vladimir said, I choose to stay quiet. I’d rather pay with my life than betray my family.
A hand nudges me forward, rattling my whole body. Aleksander. “He asked you a question. Answer it.”
Kirill tsks. “No violence, Sasha.”
I hear what resembles a scoff from Aleksander, but he doesn’t touch me again.
“It’s fine if she doesn’t answer, because I am right. The whole situation reeks of lies and manipulation, and I’m not a fan of those.” Kirill smirks, sliding his glasses up his nose. “Unless I’m the one inflicting them, of course. So, to rectify things, I had a little chat with my number one source of intel, Adrian. Color me surprised when he revealed that you weren’t in Russia. In fact, no one—your father, Rai, and Vladimir included—knew where you were. So I teamed up with this one here to find you, even though I’m still wounded he kept information from me.”
Adrian doesn’t acknowledge Kirill or anyone in the room and continues to type away.
And for a moment, I can’t look away from him. Just what is he searching for? I never keep incriminating information on my laptops, ever.
I always delete everything before I go to bed and make sure to clean any traces. But this is Adrian.
What if he’s able to restore some data?
I’m distracted from him because Kirill keeps watching me with that slight tilt of his head. As if he’s waiting for a bomb to drop.
Just what else has he told Adrian?
