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I choose not to hear Karina’s screams and wails, Kristina’s brittle pleas, or even Sasha calling my name.
The traitor will pay, no matter what those women say.
I go to my office, open the safe, and retrieve the old Russian copy of Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Although I found nothing weird when I first looked into this, I still kept it in the safe. Maybe because I already knew Roman wasn’t the type who did things arbitrarily. He wouldn’t have just put a book in the safe, even if it was his favorite.
The door to my office barges open as I’m laying the book on my desk. Sasha storms in, looking as fierce as a warrior, even though she’s wearing a loose navy blue dress. I think those are her style now, even though they’re staggeringly unflattering.
She stops in front of my desk, her eyes blazing with fire. “What are you doing, Kirill?”
“I told you. Punishing a traitor.”
“I don’t believe anything you’re accusing him of. You don’t have any proof.”
“Makar does. He showed me his exchange with my dear brother.”
“You…met with Makar?”
“And killed him, but not before he revealed the identity of who put him up to plotting your murder.”
She shakes her head a few times as if she’s not hearing me. “I refuse to believe that Konstantin would ever do that.”
“Then you’d be as naïve as he made sure you’d be.”
“There’s more to it. You must feel it, too. This is Konstantin! He always respected you as a brother, even when he had to pretend he hated you.”
“Maybe the hate part is real, and this whole thing was a pretense.”
She releases a long breath, her shoulders drooping. “You’re not going to change your mind, are you? You’ll always be this man who’s doubtful about everyone, your family included. Maybe one day you’ll lock me up and torture me at the thought of betrayal.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“How is that ridiculous? If your own flesh and blood doesn’t get any benefit of the doubt, how would I? The moment I do anything you don’t approve of, you’ll suspect me.”
“And why would you do anything that I don’t approve of, Sasha? Hmm? Why the fuck have you been creating distance between us lately?”
“Because you’re a fucking idiot, that’s why!” She breathes harshly. “Are you going to release Konstantin?”
“No.”
“In that case, I’ll be staying with Kristina until you let her husband go.”
And then she turns and leaves, slamming the door shut behind her.
I’m tempted to follow after and yank her back by the hair, but that would just complicate matters.
So I take a few moments and release a deep breath before I focus on the book again.
Sure enough, two pages are glued together. I carefully peel them apart and find a small memory card and letter inside. I open the piece of paper and stare at the words scribbled in my father’s messy handwriting.
To Kirill,
If you’re reading this, then it means I’m dead, and you’ve become my heir.
There are a few things you need to know…
The more I read, the clearer the picture gets. On and on, it feels as if I’m in Roman’s head when he wrote this.
Once I finish, I know exactly what to do to punish the traitor.
24
SASHA
“I’m so close to giving up at this point. So damn close!”
I’m ranting now, but I’m lucky to have someone who listens to me without complaining.
Or more like two people.
Anton and Maks sit on either side of me. My friend has a hand on my shoulder while Anton nods silently. He’s the least talkative, but he’s an excellent listener.
It’s been three days since Kirill imprisoned Konstantin as if he were a criminal. None of us have been allowed access to the basement, so we don’t know what the hell he’s even been doing to him down there.
And the lack of knowledge is worse because it encourages thoughts of bad scenarios.
I’ve tried to comfort Kristina and Karina, but it’s impossible when none of us knows Kirill’s plans. He could kill him at any second, and then what?
Has he thought about what will happen to Kristina and her child? Her family doesn’t really like her since she went against their wishes and married Konstantin.
Then there’s Karina. Has he thought about how her state would decline if her brother killed her other brother?
But then again, Kirill has never given two fucks about other people’s emotions. He only has his plans and manipulations and gives everyone else the middle finger.
Me included.
The bastard hasn’t tried to talk to me. He took what I said that day in his office literally and has ignored my existence. It doesn’t help that he’s often outside the house until late. Or that I glare at him every time I see him.
His expression doesn’t change as he stares back and then locks himself in his office with damn Viktor.
