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“And?”
“And we didn't get that far yet, but we did stumble upon a discrepancy with the twins.”
“Okay. I'm still waiting for you to get to the point.” I growl.
“We were able to pull baby photos as well as childhood pics of the identical twins growing up. In every photo, Vasilisa has always had this distinguishing birthmark. In the autopsy photo, there is no birthmark.”
I feel like I've been punched in the gut. My mind races as I try to process Jacob's words. “What are you suggesting?” I ask, my voice low.
“I'm saying I think it's actually Margo who's alive, not Vasilisa. The only way to be sure is if you check for that birthmark on her foot. If it's there, you have your answer. I don't have the why yet.”
“Okay, let me know when you get more.”
I end the call before he has an opportunity to say anything else. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. I don't need to check for the fucking birthmark because I've seen it. Lennon steps outside the office, just as I'm about to storm upstairs to snatch the liar in my midst.
“I'm fucking surrounded by betrayal,” I yell at Lennon.
“Not here, brother.”
He grabs my arm and walks us toward the front gate of my estate. He tells my guard standing there to take a break.
“She's been lying to me this entire fucking time,” I start. “Vasilisa is not even her real fucking name.”
“Calm down, Kai. Start from the beginning. Who did you just talk to?”
I tell him that I was looking into Vasilisa's sister murder to try to get closure for her, but what was uncovered instead. “She knows how much I despise liars. She's had plenty of time to come clean with me. I've been nothing but nice and considerate with her these past couple of days.”
“I know how upset you must feel, but take a moment to consider another perspective. It's been a week, if that, of the two of you being in a decent place. You didn't exactly foster an environment to share something like that,” He pats me on the back. “Before you blow up and the trust and progress you've managed along with it, seek to understand, brother. Give her a safe space to tell you the truth before you condemn her.”
“Fuck!” I say, blowing off a frustrated breath. “When did you become the voice of reason?”
“When I had to take our father's reins. I can no longer let anger lead me. I have to think of all perspectives for the sake of our clan. You have every right to feel how you feel, especially with all the betrayal around you lately. Just make sure she’s not dealing with the consequence of others who have disappointed you.”
“You're right. Come on ... let's check on this other shite storm.”
We return to the office where our men wait for us. Their eyes are fixed on me, waiting for me to break the news, but I keep my discovery about Vasilisa between Lennon and I for now. “ That was a personal call,” I inform. “There is nothing new regarding Viktor. We need to locate him and the rogue members of the Mikhailov Bratva and end them,” I say bluntly.
“This is our headquarters until the mission is accomplished,” Lennon says, speaking to the room. He looks over at me. “Take care of what you need to, brother. I will alert you when it's time.”
That's my cue to handle things with Vasilisa ... well fucking Margo. I hope she chooses the truth, but I know I have to lead with trust so there is no excuse for her to lie to me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Kai
Iintercept Andrea bringing Vasilisa's breakfast and take the tray from her. I told her to ensure that nobody interrupts us. When I enter my room, Vasilisa emerges from my en suite bathroom with a towel wrapped around her damp body and one secured around her hair.
“Morning,” she says, chipper than I'm feeling at the moment.
“Morning,” I greet, careful to keep the edge from my voice. “I brought you breakfast.”
“Thank you. I am pretty starving. Any fight lessons today?”
“No, I'm here for a different reason. We need to talk.”
“Oh,” she says, pausing mid-step. “What about?”
I can see the worry in the wrinkle of her brow. I think back to what Lennon said about providing a safe space for her to be honest with me.
