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He studied my lips, long enough for it to get awkward. “I know you do. I also know that you’re not afraid to use it.”
“Then keep your nose out,” I griped.
“I’m just saying… I can see where he’s coming from.”
I huffed. “We’ll discuss this later.”
“Yes,dear,” he mocked, which had me scowling harder at him than ever and pinching his thigh.
Into our staring match, Kuznetsov tiredly rumbled, “Do we have a deal?”
Gracing him with my attention, I noticed he appeared as exhausted as he sounded. Blood loss probably hadn’t helped.
“You want revenge for your son. Did you seek revenge for my mother?”
Kuznetsov paled even further. “I will not speak of her more than is necessary.”
Huh.
That was interesting.
“How did she betray you?” When his lips pursed into a mutinous line, I knew I wouldn’t get an answer. “Why did she give birth to me? Why did she marry Gerry Sullivan? What about any of that role was important to the United Brotherhood?”
Kuznetsov turned his face away.
“She traveled all over the world, Star. Didn’t you tell me once thatnoxxiousplayed at the weddings of foreign royal families?”
My gaze was measured as I studied my grandfather. “Is Conor right?”
“As I said, I will not speak of her.”
“Seems like I’m not the only one she betrayed.” His good hand clenched into a fist, his tension evident. Knowing that I’d have to hunt down my answers the hard way, as fucking usual, I changed the subject. “What do you constitute as eradication?”
His relief was palpable as he asked, “Percentage-wise, you mean?” At my nod, he mused, “Seventy-five percent under arrest. Sixty percent incarceration rate.”
That was both higher than I expected and lower than I’d like. “If you want me on board then I want help with a side project too.”
“What kind of side project?”
My throat felt thick as I rasped, “I want to make sure everyone they hurt gets back home.”
His already tired eyes seemed to droop at my admission. “Not all of them will be able to return home, child. They don’t exactly register the deaths of their victims.”
I bobbed my head. “I know, but I have to try.”
He sighed. “The Union will help.”
I let my left hand drift over my plate. He eyed it warily, his other hand moving to his chest in case I went for another piece of cutlery, but I just let it hover there, waiting for him to shake it.
Only then, as his papery skin slid against mine, did I state, “Then, we have ourselves a deal.”
24
CONOR
Fresh from my shower,I grabbed the bag of treats from my suitcase and headed for the door.
Dinner had been over for about an hour now, and I’d finally seen the room where I’d be staying—the best part? Star was just next door.
